Rockets Wagon

[MEGOMONSTER]

Here is what we did with mine to try to direct the air, I think it works ok

Attachment 63189

Now that's very inventive.
I like the idea.
Good one for those who don't have it.

[Rocket55]

We took the new rig for a quick spin down the coast over the weekend. Left Sydney around 3pm on Friday with a balmy 35 deg air temp. Everything was going well untill we hit a couple of the bigger hills just north of Wollongong, when the EGT's hit 500 and the temp gauge started heading north, time to back off and "float" it as best as possible to the tops of hills.

Van weights in pretty much at 3T.





Had a great weekend and time to head home this arvo, much cooler, about 25 deg and nice cool wind. Everything was sweet, then we hit Mt Ousley, all temps went ape shit, EGT's 550 and water temp went out of the "normal" range on the Nissan gauge. Again backing off, and off, and off and cruised over the top in 3rd on bugger all throttle. I was running 3rd up the whole hill on about 1/4 to 1/3rd throttle at about 70km/hr, this gave me about 2,400 revs, give or take and she still got hot. This also occured for the next 3 hills over the next 5-6km, being Picton hill, Cateract ( spelling??) and Bellambi. On all ocassions it very quickly recovered once clearing the top, but it got way too hot for my liking and needs modding.

One thing I'm not sure off, when I towed it home from Newcastle I didn't have the bonnet protector on and the temps stayed pretty good, it was also a much cooler day. This time I was running the bonnet protector, maybe this was mucking up the airflow into the scoop and hence intercooler effeciency???

Anyway, time for a new radiator. 2 or 3 core, Alloy or copper/brass????? Any suggestions from those who have had success.

[Winnie]

We took the new rig for a quick spin down the coast over the weekend. Left Sydney around 3pm on Friday with a balmy 35 deg air temp. Everything was going well untill we hit a couple of the bigger hills just north of Wollongong, when the EGT's hit 500 and the temp gauge started heading north, time to back off and "float" it as best as possible to the tops of hills.

Van weights in pretty much at 3T.





Had a great weekend and time to head home this arvo, much cooler, about 25 deg and nice cool wind. Everything was sweet, then we hit Mt Ousley, all temps went ape shit, EGT's 550 and water temp went out of the "normal" range on the Nissan gauge. Again backing off, and off, and off and cruised over the top in 3rd on bugger all throttle. I was running 3rd up the whole hill on about 1/4 to 1/3rd throttle at about 70km/hr, this gave me about 2,400 revs, give or take and she still got hot. This also occured for the next 3 hills over the next 5-6km, being Picton hill, Cateract ( spelling??) and Bellambi. On all ocassions it very quickly recovered once clearing the top, but it got way too hot for my liking and needs modding.

One thing I'm not sure off, when I towed it home from Newcastle I didn't have the bonnet protector on and the temps stayed pretty good, it was also a much cooler day. This time I was running the bonnet protector, maybe this was mucking up the airflow into the scoop and hence intercooler effeciency???

Anyway, time for a new radiator. 2 or 3 core, Alloy or copper/brass????? Any suggestions from those who have had success.

I am using a 3 core copper radiator from natrad and it has helped keep my temps under control heaps.

[nissannewby]

Your old rad might just need to be externally cleaned. I would check this first before forking out for a new one.

2 core will be fine. As for material well that is up to you. There is so many for and against material types. I have had an adrad 2 core ally unit in mine for close to 4 yrs without issue. Use to tow a 5th wheeler float usually weighing in around 3t.

[Robo]

Yep I'd be dumping the bonnet protector for sure.
Noticed when I had one on, any leaves caught behind it would sorta fly up ( ark motion ) over the bonnet & hit the lower windscreen, very obvious protector was creating a air flow issue directly across the bonnet.

Std temp gauges don't have to move much to "make you think" there's a problem.
Fitting a after market temp gauge could be worth while.
And std temp gauges also have a reputation of being inaccurate.

Has the radiator ever been flushed internally?.

Shining a torch directly through the core can assist you to see how much garbage is trapped externally in the fins.
x2 cleaning the radiator externally, compressed air from the back to push garbage out the way it came in gets alot out.
Same goes for the air con core, it can be block also reducing air flow.

Hows the thermostat, ever been replaced?.

[Rocket55]

I'm pretty sure its the original radiator and thermostat in there. I'll get a new thermostat and while i'm in there tap out that 3rd 12mm hole to take the sender unit for another temp gauge, I'll check how clogged up the radiator is and will also look at the condition of the fan hub. Both my inner guard covers are in place and probably 90% of the foam blocking is in place, so good on that front. I'll also check out the air con core. Thanks for the advice guys.

[Rocket55]

Well, in the quest for a happy wife, that's not scared every time we drive up a hill and worried about this thing cooking itself whilst we are trying to go away and enjoy ourselves, I've ordered a UFI fan hub and a Rapid Cool radiator. I've also got a full set of engine and gearbox mounts coming to try and solve this vibration thing I've got going on. Looks like a busy weekend coming up.

What coolant are you guys running?

[Robo]

I'm pretty sure its the original radiator and thermostat in there. I'll get a new thermostat and while i'm in there tap out that 3rd 12mm hole to take the sender unit for another temp gauge, I'll check how clogged up the radiator is and will also look at the condition of the fan hub. Both my inner guard covers are in place and probably 90% of the foam blocking is in place, so good on that front. I'll also check out the air con core. Thanks for the advice guys.

I just purchased a adapter from Bursons to suit the unused hole in thermostat housing, $7.
sure it was 12.5mm (male) x 1/4 npt (female) , to suit new VDO gauge.
it has a very thin wall so tightening it was a bit awkward, but worked.
did spy a 14mmx1/4 but didn't want to buy a tap for 1 hole.
the 14mm had way more meat in the wall, if I had a 14mm tap that would of been my first choice.
Take a pic tomorrow for you.

[Hodge]

I just purchased a adapter from Bursons to suit the unused hole in thermostat housing, $7.
sure it was 12.5mm (male) x 1/4 npt (female) , to suit new VDO gauge.
it has a very thin wall so tightening it was a bit awkward, but worked.
did spy a 14mmx1/4 but didn't want to buy a tap for 1 hole.
the 14mm had way more meat in the wall, if I had a 14mm tap that would of been my first choice.
Take a pic tomorrow for you.

G'day Robo.I'm curious about this because I ran all over the town trying to find a 1/4npt female to m12x1.5 male , and nobody had one. Some even think they don't exist ?? Which is why I've now gone down the 1/8th npt sensor path. Even bursons as you mentioned, didn't have it.
Sorry about the slight thread jack. lol

[Rocket55]

I've also had a bit of a girls look and could find any either, but by no means did I have an exhaustive look.

Seeing as though I'm dumping the coolant anyway, I was thinking of just running a 1/4 NPT I think they are tap through it, no drilling required. Others have done it in situ, grease up the end of the tap to catch the swarf and as the coolant runs out it washes any escaping deris out with it.


Edit: 1/4 NPT.