Radiator removal

mckim · Post by **mckim** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 3:46 pm

I'm trying to pull the radiator out of my M38, but the fan is in the way. My solution the first time was to unbolt the fan, but that seems silly, especially considering that the maintenance manual says to simply:

Lift radiator assembly straight up, being careful not to rub it against the fan. When studs are clear of the frame front cross member, tip radiator forward at the top and remove from vehicle." (TM 9-8012 paragraph 122.a.6)

The problem is, I can't seem to pull the radiator straight up far enough for the studs to clear. The sheet metal surrounding the fan hits the fan.

Any suggestions?

Post by **wesk** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 5:19 pm

Since you have an M38 simply loosening the bolts on each side of the grill where it attaches to the fenders will allow the grill to be tilted forward and if you disconnect the light electrical connectors you can lift the grill right out of the way.

Don't forget to free the radiator from the two support rods at each side on the bottom that fasten to the front engine mounts.

mckim · Post by **mckim** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 6:06 pm

I've already removed the grill and pulled the radiator free from the support rods. I can pull it up and the top is free to swing forward until the tips of the fan blades hit the bottom of the shroud. I've aligned the fan to provide the most clearance.

The ovals show the two areas where the parts are trying to inhabit the same space at the same time. The radiator is lifted and tilted forward for this photo.

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 8:27 pm

I didn't have any luck either till I pulled the fan off.

sonny · Post by **sonny** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 8:36 pm

Same here, I had to remove the fan

DJ · Post by DJ » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:48 pm

Me too!! I thought I had an odd pump or fan ,as I too had to remove the fan to remove the radiator.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:04 pm

I was just reviewing the service manual for the 6 pilot model M38's and I noticed the cooling fan shroud seems a bit narrower then the production M38 shrouds. Perhaps the 8012 instructions are predicated on the pilot models.

However when I read the TM 9-804 (first M38 ops and service manual) it lists the radiator removal in par 130a and adds one sentence that the 8012 does not have " Remove the fan by removing the four attaching bolts to the fan hub."

mckim · Post by **mckim** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:40 pm

wesk wrote:However when I read the TM 9-804 (first M38 ops and service manual) it lists the radiator removal in par 130a and adds one sentence that the 8012 does not have " Remove the fan by removing the four attaching bolts to the fan hub."

OK, it's good to know we aren't crazy. I'll remove the fan.

Thanks,
Stuart