Speedcooling ECP radiator

[Billccm]

Just got off the phone with ECP. Radiator has to be shipped back on me. They will inspect and determine if it's a warranty. Then the warranty will be settled.

I'm thinking about cutting my losses and just buying the radiator threewood used.

I'll also pm cold case.

 

[5.7 hemi]

I understand your frustration, but you should send it back and let them check it out. When they find out it’s a defect, ask them to PayPal you the cost of shipping it back.

 

[Billccm]

I understand your frustration, but you should send it back and let them check it out. When they find out it’s a defect, ask them to PayPal you the cost of shipping it back.

I hate to be so pessimistic, but my luck has not been too good lately. This radiator doesn't leak cold. Pressure tested overnight and no coolant leaks, or pressure leak down. It leaks after a cold hot cold cycle. If I invest shipping and ECP says no leaks no claim what do I gain?
If I chalk this up as tuition and get a radiator that doesn't need fabrication work I might be better off? Not that I have money to waste, but my time is also valuable. I'm going to think about it.

 

[5.7 hemi]

I hear ya. Can’t say I’d do anything differently, but they need to know how/when it leaks so they can duplicate it.

 

[bearman]

Bill sorry about your troubles. Before you give up get a roll call from everybody and find out who has had same type of problem and how did it get resolved. Just my thoughts

 

[threewood]

That is b.s. on ECP. Their product is leaking, they need to take care of shipping for warranty. You don't need them to tell you if it leaks or not, you know it does. I'm pretty damn tired of dealing with bad products, I would call your credit card company and dispute the charge and send that junker back.

 

[Billccm]

That is b.s. on ECP. Their product is leaking, they need to take care of shipping for warranty. You don't need them to tell you if it leaks or not, you know it does. I'm pretty damn tired of dealing with bad products, I would call your credit card company and dispute the charge and send that junker back.

Disputing credit card charges aren't as easy as it used to be. They will ask if I received what I ordered, and did I follow the instructions of the vendor to resolve. They won't easily dispute over a defect until I try to resolve.

I may try a radiator shop.

Here's another thing to consider. ECP charges $29 shipping, but I estimated FedEx and ups ground and costs are $60 and $67 to ship. That's throwing good money after bad.

 

[coloradodave]

Disputing credit card charges aren't as easy as it used to be. They will ask if I received what I ordered, and did I follow the instructions of the vendor to resolve. They won't easily dispute over a defect until I try to resolve.

I may try a radiator shop.

Here's another thing to consider. ECP charges $29 shipping, but I estimated FedEx and ups ground and costs are $60 and $67 to ship. That's throwing good money after bad.

You might ask them to send a call tag so that you get their discounted shipping price. Pay them the $29. and ask for a rebate when they find the leak. Don’t fail to politely invite them to check out what’s transpiring on FBBO about their company. And, of course, always escalate your request to the top guy.

 

[Hemirunner]

Mine is in. It’s tight. Let’s hope for no leaks. Gonna have to relocate the upper radiator hose.

 

[JimKueneman]

Updates Bill?

 

[Billccm]

No updates yet.

When I get the car back on the road I'll post the long story.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Here’s what I’ve been able to get done. Fired it up this morning and watched both temp gauges, 1 for the instrument panel and 1 for the Holley computer. Both showed 181-186, never got above that. Then I put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator blocking it completely, temp hot 200. Moved the cardboard and temp dropped to 183 and pretty much stayed there. I moved the radiator back 11/16 and that gave me room for the Hayden 2947 clutch. Also used the 70’ E body shroud. I’m happy with how the ECP radiator and clutch/shroud are performing. I do have ac, so I want the temps no more that 188-190 and when ac is running, no more than 205. Wiggle room!! Thermostat is a Milodon high flow 180 with a Flowkooler pump.

 

[Billccm]

Glad it's working out for you. Thanks for the pictures and updates.

 

[1967coronet440]

Nice, seems like it’s going to work just fine

 

[Ccas]

Then I put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator blocking it completely, temp hot 200. Moved the cardboard and temp dropped to 183 and pretty much stayed there. I moved the radiator back 11/16 and that gave me room for the Hayden 2947 clutch.

I love the idea of using the cardboard to do the testing! Very cool idea!

 

[5.7 hemi]

I might have spoke too soon about how well it’s cooling. I installed a new ac condenser about 3/4” in front of the radiator and right away, I could it wasn’t cooling as well as it did yesterday.

So I yank out the condenser and still it’s sitting at 197, with condenser in place it hit 205. Then my buddy noticed the fan clutch not engaging. WTF!!! A new Hayden 2947 and friggin’ thing isn’t working.

I’ll be swapping it out tomorrow with another short fan clutch I have. If I can’t get this bitch to cool, might as well send down the road.

 

[bearman]

Change over to electric fans. I don't know if that's a possibility or not.

 

[5.7 hemi]

I have a dual set of Derales with pulse width modualation and a Volvo fan (same as the Taurus) and neither of them will fit the tight confines of a big block in an A body.

I definitely have to figure out WTF is going on.

 

[bearman]

First off did the new one just fail? But some of the other guys are using both a hard fan and electric ones. Not sure of they are staged for different temps or how they have done it. But i believe having a back up system is only smart. Also with condenser and a fan on it will really help on the a/c side of things also. Which you could wire up the fan to the a/c to come on then which again will help with cooling on both engine and a/c. Again just a thought

 

[5.7 hemi]

Very true, but if it’s running high without the ac on and 80* outside, what’s it’s gonna be like when I do have the ac on and it’s 115* outside?

The clutch never locked up, fan stayed the same speed and it should have engaged with the air temp coming thru the radiator well above 170*.