MALIBU Cold case. Splitting again

[Dezimade]

This is my second Cold Case radiator, and Im noticing that the seams are splitting again. I want to rule out any potential installation or mechanical factors on my end. Here is my set up

Engine: V8 267
Exhaust: 3-inch manifold

Cooling System: Cold Case radiator with a fan setup


Suspension: Recently upgraded, but I drive in Boston, so potholes are a factor

Do you think the radiator seam failures could be caused by road conditions (despite the new suspension), or could it be related to vibrations from the mods? Is there anything I should check in terms of mounting, pressure, or cooling system operation that might contribute to this issue?





Appreciate your insight!





Thanks,


Dez

 

[79 USA 1]

Out of shear curiosity...Are the electric fans mounted to the radiator with a bracket set up or just "Zip tied" through the core? I ran an electric fan set in in my first 79 Monte Carlo with a copper/brass radiator I had purchased through a company I was working for. One of the engineers recommended attaching the fans (Flex O Lite) to the steel cross brace at the top and bottom of the radiator with the supplied brackets from Flex O Lite and use a small rubber insulator at the attachment points to keep the harmonic vibrations of the fans from destroying the braze and solder points of the tanks.
I'm wondering if the harmonic vibrations of the fans is splitting the seams.

 

[Dezimade]

Out of shear curiosity...Are the electric fans mounted to the radiator with a bracket set up or just "Zip tied" through the core? I ran an electric fan set in in my first 79 Monte Carlo with a copper/brass radiator I had purchased through a company I was working for. One of the engineers recommended attaching the fans (Flex O Lite) to the steel cross brace at the top and bottom of the radiator with the supplied brackets from Flex O Lite and use a small rubber insulator at the attachment points to keep the harmonic vibrations of the fans from destroying the braze and solder points of the tanks.
I'm wondering if the harmonic vibrations of the fans is splitting the seams.

I will definitely give that some attention. Thanks man. . Always count on you sir. Thanks. It just seems odd pardon the pun.
This is a bit frustrating nursing this antifreeze
Dez. I do not believe this is zip tied as I must check. I did not put this in . ✌🏻

 

[Dezimade]

I will definitely give that some attention. Thanks man. . Always count on you sir. Thanks. It just seems odd pardon the pun.
This is a bit frustrating nursing this antifreeze
Dez. I do not believe this is zip tied as I must check. I did not put this in . ✌🏻

After recalling the details, I remember that the factory fan was intact when I first encountered this issue with the Cold Case radiator. Currently, the electric fans are installed and have been in place for some time. This will be the second Cold Case radiator I’m installing. The first setup used the factory fan, while this second installation is with the electric fans.

thanks Dez

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Could be a weird oneway head gasket leak that is allowing combustion gasses to enter the cooling system causing excessive pressure buildup cracking the seams. Sometimes head gaskets do leak one way as combustion gasses are much higher pressure than the cooling system. That is when combustion gasses leak into the cooling system, coolant doesn’t always leak into the combustion chamber and crankcase. The best way to check is to use a UView tester.

 

[79 USA 1]

After recalling the details, I remember that the factory fan was intact when I first encountered this issue with the Cold Case radiator. Currently, the electric fans are installed and have been in place for some time. This will be the second Cold Case radiator I’m installing. The first setup used the factory fan, while this second installation is with the electric fans.

thanks Dez

Had to think a bit after re reading your original post. Your 79 Malibu Classic with the 267 (4.4 Litre) more than likely had the standard cooling radiator which would have been a single pass. My current 79 Monte Carlo with the 267 was set up this way. Thick tank on the passenger side thinner width tank on the driver side. Most welded aluminum radiators come with thick tanks on both sides. If the rubber insulator that holds the radiator to the core support was not modified (I had to open up both sides top and bottom for my Liland Global aluminum radiator to fit without force ) the top plate may be adding downward force on the rank and end plate cracking it. Is this radiator leaking on the same side as the first? Is it the driver side?

 

[pagrunt]

Had to think a bit after re reading your original post. Your 79 Malibu Classic with the 267 (4.4 Litre) more than likely had the standard cooling radiator which would have been a single pass. My current 79 Monte Carlo with the 267 was set up this way. Thick tank on the passenger side thinner width tank on the driver side. Most welded aluminum radiators come with thick tanks on both sides. If the rubber insulator that holds the radiator to the core support was not modified (I had to open up both sides top and bottom for my Liland Global aluminum radiator to fit without force ) the top plate may be adding downward force on the rank and end plate cracking it. Is this radiator leaking on the same side as the first? Is it the driver side?

To add to this, I have a Cold Case & had to trim up the insulators (poly set) to fit the tanks. The Cold case is a "non-direct fit" direct fit as the tanks do not fit in the insulators like an OE or old school copper/brass replacement, The part/sitting points of the tanks that should just sit in the insulators are wider between them than the OE. I think they used the 2nd gen F body six cylinder radiator as the starting point for a fourth gen A/G V8 radiator as they are both the same width.

 

[86 Salon]

Make sure that your radiator cap is good and relieves pressure at the rating on it.