It Finally Happened 08 Alpha:

[Best4x4]

Well my OEM Radiator finally blew up sometime last week on my Alpha... I did get 8 years out of it, and 134K before it decided to blow the seam at the tank. I'm just extremely happy it decided to do this during the winter time vs summer! I've got a replacement already on the way (should be here today), but while I was at it I went ahead and replaced the fan clutch, (96-98 Ford Explorer 5.0L V8 Metal 9 Blade fan blade has been doing great) and I'm also replacing the thermostat. Apparently 86C/186F is the OEM thermostat temp, but I ordered a Jet Performance Jet-10179 180F thermostat from Summit Racing for the 5.3L V8. Locally I couldn't find anything but 186/187F thermostats. I'll also be switching over to the green coolant vs dex.

It's not a big difference in 180/186F but every little bit helps. I shouldn't have bragged to my wife the other day that the H3 Alpha has been maintenance free for almost 2 years lol.

 

[3Hummers]

Yep you broke the cardinal rule. We are still on the original radiator so 8 years and 128K miles. I expect it to blow up by this weekend now.

 

[Cyrus Avey]

My 08 3.7 blew up about 3 months ago. Hmm I guess roughly 8 years ain't too bad. Now I got a front diff mount bushing to take care of soon.....


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[Best4x4]

The plastic was completely brittle and the upper hose outlet was crumbling when I removed the top hose from the radiator. It had a good run for sure especially for the extreme heat down here in SETX during the summer months. On my 07 with 72K when I bought it I got 4K out of it before it blew to bits so yeah not complaining on the Alpha's lifespan.

I'm excited to see how a true 180F thermostat is gonna help the temps on the 5.3L V8. Doubt it'll be a miracle vs the 186F that came out of it, but we'll see. Fan Clutch wise if you have problems at your local auto parts store looking up "Alpha" for the correct parts tell them 96-98 Ford Explorer 5.0L V8 2WD. They'll pull up the proper fan clutch every time that way. Around here at Auto Zone, or Orielly's they'll pull up a 3.5/3.7L fan clutch all day long. When I did my replacement fan blade research vs the OEM plastic blade for 120.00 I found out the 96-98 Ford Explorer with the 5.0L V8 used the same fan clutch, and that those Explorers also had a very nice all metal fan blade. Grabbed one at my local junk yard for 8.00 vs 120.00 for an OEM plastic one and it's been an awesome replacement fan blade.

 

[Ordieh]

Hey Best 4x4,
Really like your suggestion of the metal fan. Are you running an AIRDOC on your ALPHA? I have AIRDOC on both my 5.3's and the tip of the fan blades almost hit the curved tubing where it comes off the throttle body on both. Wonder if the metal blades will clear......
Thanks

 

[Best4x4]

I had an Airdoc on my 07 with the 3.7L, but I don't currently have one for my Alpha with the 5.3L.

I'm pretty sure when I compared them they were identical in size. I'm sure you could dremel off a little bit with no effects as long as you matched each blade up close enough. On new plastic blades I've seen them not be 100% matching (forms being slightly off) and no ill effects so just make em close and you should be fine. The metal fan is a nice upgrade IMHO and can be had cheaply at most pick n pull salvage yards. Even new at 80.00 it's cheaper than an OEM plastic one for 120.00.

 

[High Five H2]

hey, I'm about to hit 125 miles on miles, i suppose I should start thinking about a radiator too.

i was concerned about my airdoc hitting the intake, so I filed down the fan blades slightly. it works.

 

[JPaul]

Just fix a marker in place and turn the fan around to mark each blade evenly then trim. They are so light that any differences will be almost non existent, you'd have to cut a fair bit more off a single blade to notice any differences.

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[Best4x4]

Radiator install went without a hitch. To bad the Jet Performance Thermostat really is just a re-branded "Motorad" Thermostat........ I'll be taking that POS back and getting my 38.00 back.. Slapped in my OEM one for now, but I'll just find myself a Stant 15158 180F and go from there.

 

[colo4x4rado]

Did you replace the radiator with OEM or aftermarket?

 

[Ordieh]

Thanks a bunch BEST4X4!
I'm going to do it. The metal fan has to be a lot more efficient.

 

[Best4x4]

I went with an aftermarket radiator. Since my wife drives the H3 to work I had to get it up and going ASAP. On my previous 07 H3 Adventure I had to change the radiator out shortly after buying it, and I used a Silla Radiator and it gave me zero issues. I got one from Oreilly's this time and it looks really good. At first they of coarse pulled up V8 Alpha and said oh that's a 3-4 week special order.... I said okay, 2012 Chevy Colorado with a 5.3L V8 which then pulled up the same exact P/N: as any other H3 and I had it the next day..

The metal fan blade works fine as far as being efficient, but the main reason I switched over was because my OEM unit was starting to get white stress marks along the blades which means eventually it's gonna sling a blade and really mess things up (Older LR like Range Rover Classics were famous for this & it used a GM branded fan blade). I just happened across the Ford Explorer V8 metal fan blade when I was looking up fan clutches and I saw it used the same one, and then I saw a metal fan blade was available for it. I'm happy with it 8.00 at a local pick n pull vs 120.00 for a new plastic one. Now this Ford Explorer metal fan is only for the 5.3L V8 Alpha's. The 3.5/3.7 have a different size fan clutch and fan blade.

 

[colo4x4rado]

That's what I will more than likely end up doing. I noticed that my overflow tank was filled to the COLD line last week and when I changed my spark plugs this week it was completely empty. I removed the air intake tube and noticed some coolant spray underneath. Can't see any noticeable leaks, but figured I will swap it anyways (100k miles) and do an external trans cooler. Might also be the water pump gasket in my case as I hear they like to leak, too.

 

[Best4x4]

The H3 radiator normally gets a crack on the top tank. On the Alpha it was hidden by the OEM foam padding. I peeled it off and there was the smallest 6inch long crack. My 07 H3 cracked in the same place, but it blew apart very badly.

 

[USMC_TOP]

On the foam padding between the raidiator and the core support; if you find that yours is falling apart (like mine did) the thick rubberized foam used for your toolbox drawers works great. I think I have some left in the barn I'll try to find it and get a pic up if anyone is interested.

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