2 core versus 3 core radiators

[sooty_10]

Just throwing my experience out there, My TD42t used to get warm (3/4) when I lived in the NT on long drives in hot humid weather eg. on a Katherine to Broome trip. I'd just keep an eye on it and maybe toggle the aircon just to confirm I could drop it if needed, as soon as the aircon went off temps would drop back under half.

Now when I did my engine conversion the original radiator was damage (from my accident) and I ended up buying a cheap Chinese alloy 3 core radiator. Installation needed a little modification of the top radiator mounting tabs, I just slotted them out so the radiator could be pulled closer to the support. Other than that I haven't had a single problem. It's been in for over 2.5 years now and done heaps of trips, including one to Beachport/Robe, and temps never really rose much.

The other week I was in Bright and did a track which was pretty constant and steep with switchbacks etc in 40 degrees, and low and behold temps rose. This time I had an Auber digital temp guage and warning alarm set at 110. On the factory gauge it got to 3/4, and temp reading was up to 115 max, however when it initially spiked high it was after a decent long climb and we stopped and I turned off the engine (no thought involved there). As soon as I got back in without the engine running the temp spike and alarm was going off, obviously due to no engine fan running or airflow and heat soak. As soon as I started the engine back up temps dropped pretty quick to around the 105 mark (we were still doing a massive climb). It wasn't until we got to the flatter ridge line that temps dropped below 100 and then stayed in the 90's.

That was with the original engine fan, fan clutch and thermostat from when I bought it over 5 years ago with the cheap Chinese alloy radiator.

The cooling system is definitely on my to do list for an overhaul, but I'm happy with how it is running under what I would call a fairly extreme condition.

And saying all that I haven't had the radiator out since I installed it, so no doubt there is some wombat mixed with local muds in there somewhere. Next service I might do a coolant change and pull the radiator out for an inspection.