Guys

i know that our stock cooling system on the 12v dodge handles about 450 horses max, thus comes the need for me to have a valet switch installed.

are there any mods for our cooling systems? I know i have a small coolant leak from that goofy hose that connects to the heater core by the front of the engine (the 90 degree bent one) ive repaced the hose and clamps already like three times and have come to realize that heat expands it.. are there any fixes for that? or do i keep replacing it...

back to my main point, what can i do to my system? or just valet it and forget it... I have towed a 20 foot gneck with 5 horses and had no issues (temp was at 1/2 gauge at highest) and no egt issues whatsoever, just want to upgrade before i severely load again (which will be fairly soon if my estimates are correct, cattle haulin and hay are next)..

Thanks guys!

Rick

 

I haven't found any worthwhile upgrades. There is only one thermostat for the 12v's, so other than a custom radiator there is really only a couple things to do. One is some of that really high grade coolant that some people swear by...I don't care to use it, but it can get a little hotter in South Texas than here in the Buckeye, too

Normally, summer towing for me puts the temp gauge about 200-220* when it's 90-95* outside...and that's max temps pulling tall, wind catching farm equipment!

Chris

 

only thing i can think of is find an alum. radiator, and a really low thermostat.

 

i bought a Modine (sp) 4 or 5 row radiator for mine (visibly bigger than the one in it).... IIRC stock was 3 or 4 row.... i bought it through the Modine warehouse in Tallahassee FL and it was $170....... i never see over 170-180* here in south GA..... maybe 190* if i'm loaded with a heavy car on the trailer and going up a nice grade.....

 

never seen that high a temp just yet...

But how much of a difference does the valet do for towing?

Rick

 

I wouldn't be without a Valet on a BOMBed 12v....you'll find the only time you go to full fuel is to play around. You don't have to watch EGT's, it barely smokes, and drives a lot tamer on the street!

Chris

 

Install a 180* thermostat, Cummins P/N 3934373 (about $35). They made these to replace the OEM 190* thermostat because a lot of people were bothered by the up and down temperature fluctuations in the gauge. I put one in my 96 back in June and it sure made a difference, not that the truck was running hot with the old one, but it sure runs way cooler now. The gauge still fluctuates up and down, but the engine definitely runs a lot cooler. The only complaint is that in the winter the engine takes for ever to warm up, so some people like the original 190* thermostat better.

About your heater hose, did you replace it with a Cummins part? I've never had an issue with mine.

 

I read a post over a yr. ago , that talked about a pluming fitting on the back of the head ,or block , that was on most all Cummins 5.9 in every apllication but the dodge ram , it sounded like it alowed coolant to go through the head better and back to like the heater core , or ?? , that size hose .
One of these days I'm going to a junk yard and look for one and put in my truck .

 

Rick,
Garret started this thread awhile back talking about the kit that runs from the rear freeze plug to the return line I think. Which makes the cooling system a flow through system instead of a dead end system.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ad.php?t=96546

*****

 

run only about 25% water and run some Redline Water Wetter or some Purple Ice by Royal Purple...

best combo is straight water w/ water wetter, etc. but you have no freeze protection, and with the size of our cooling systems, you'd need a lot of additive to get sufficient lubrication and corrosion inhibition.

 

Nope

i used generic autozone hose, still leaking.. Ill be sure to look into that part number for the 180 T stat, heck its november here and temps are still in the high 90s during the day so any little bit helps...

Forrest,

My bro runs Water wetter and it sure helps alot, never heard of purple ice tho, but ill be sure to give it a try, 25 percent water, add some antifreeze, then a can of water wetter?

Thanks again guys..

Rick

 

25% anitfreeze, 75% water, then the additive

 

I'll third the water wetter. I run a 30/70% mix with water wetter and Napacool added. Granted I have the later model cooling system with the aluminum 24v radiator, I can still pull hills loaded with a decent trailer in Summer heat with the A/C on and never get over 200* really.