Hi guys, was told to ask for assistance here, hope you can help me.. Yes I'm a Newbee;) . Here it goes,, I have a 94 6.5 turbo, 3/4T chevy, 4X4, auto trans, 4:11 gears, 192000. miles.
I have a tractor and trailer that weigh together at 6500lbs. when on the road and pulling up long hills, my temp gauge goes up to almost red. (240-250) and then back down to 200-210 on the flats. I can only get about 35-45 mph on the hills.. when trailering.. I just got the tranny and cooling system flushed with new fluid and have'nt tried it again yet. I was looking but not sure yet where I could fit in a tranny cooler. I'm also looking into a flex fan. Can you guys give me any advice or help? Thanks Tracer:help:

Some pre-97 had some cooling promblems. I had about 212,000 on my original and my temps startesd going up really fast pulling loads. Went to the 97 cooloing system, HD fan with clutch, and 180* stats. Empty truck runs about 180* and like I said pulling the same weight as you did 200* max. One of the best mods I've done so far. So I would say time for a new pump IMO.

Tracer,

I'm running basically the same rig as you, and on weekends pull a tandem and skid steer - about 8000#.

Aside from the upgrade to the HO water pump and dual t-stat crossover manifold (aka 97 cooling upgrade) a couple of things will cool things down. One, if you haven't already, open up the exhaust - especially the down pipe. Behind the down-pipe, 'de-Cat' the thing if you can, and look to a 3 1/2" or larger exhaust. Two, get rid of the snorkel that feeds the air box, open up the air inlet to the air box, and get a GOOD filter. Moving on, you can replace the OEM fan clutch with one of the severe duty units from Kennedy Diesel (www.kennedydiesel.com). While you're at it install the 9-bladed fan.

If you're really game, you can add chip. A word of caution. Gauges are a MUST, especially towing. EGTs can skyrocket and you won't know it til it's too late.

Now, for reference purposes, last weekend with the ambient air temp at about 90*F, and humidity at about 75%, I ran down to pick up my trailer and skid steer from my brother. Empty @ 70MPH, 2350rpm, I was running about 550-600* EGT (pre-turbo) and 5-6psi boost. Water temp was about 180*F. On the way back, still running 70mph, EGT was about 650-700*, boost about the same, maybe a shade more, and water temp in the 200-205* range - AC off, and 205-210* range w/AC on. My trip was roughly 70 miles or flats and rolling hills.

Hope this helps and points you in the right direction.

With that many miles, it is likely that your fan clutch is not working as well as when it was newer. Also, remove your radiator and steam clean it. You will probably find all kinds of things plugging up the lower third of it. As for a flex fan, don't do it. They don't cool as well as the clutch fan and will cost you about 1 mpg to boot. I strongly recomend upgrading to a Kennedy fan clutch.;)

Clean between the radiator and a/c condensor coil. You'd not believe how a big a dead bug cemetary is in there. :)

By the way, it's not gonna be just this simple for what you need proably, but it's something you could do today to help.

Thanks for the info, and where would I find a dual t-stat crossover? (your talking 2 thermostats?) I've never heard of the 97 cooling upgrade.

Thanks for the info, and where would I find a dual t-stat crossover? (your talking 2 thermostats?) I've never heard of the 97 cooling upgrade.

Try www.kennedydiesel.com. John is a supporting vendor. BTW, the '97 cooling upgrade encompasses the dual t-stat (thermostat, yes) crossover AND a high output water pump. Pre-97 water pumps pushed roughly 80gpm, whereas the 97 and later models pushed close to 130gpm. Installing just the dual t-stat crossover isn't likely to give you the results you're looking for. You need the high output water pump too. Don't ask me how I know this (DAMHIKT).

when you say cat, catalyic converter? . Get rid of it? they are trying to get the smog testing in my area, but not yet. I would like to eliminate it.. test pipe time..

Cat goes for "off road" use, test pipe works well in that area re-install cat to be road legal, get rid of stock exhaust especially turbo "Krinkle" downpipe, needs mandrel bent one in it's place, that will knock back a couple hunnerd of EGT, which will lower H2O some as well as previous mentioned items, visit FAQs sticky for more power tips. More boost will also lower temps again visit FAQs.

See, I told you these guys were Geniuses..

OK, calling in to order 97 cooling system upgrade, with new fan and clutch. (Kennedy) you guys say its good, hope this is all I need.. Now, I'm thinking of installing a tranny cooler, which line to radiator do I use? hmmm upper or lower? and where can I fit it in.. I was told not to stack to deep in front of rad. you got rad, then AC, then little oil cooler on one side.. do I stick it on the other side?

New cooling system on the way, for now, I installed a new thermostat and cleaned out between the radiator and A/c, what a bunch of crap in there, I was able to take the upper shroud off and top rad, mounts and lift the rad up a little to wash it all out, and it did make a little difference now cooling, will get me by till I get the new cooling system.. Thanks guys..