Hey everyone,

So my old engine blew. My mechanic put in a reman GM engine, but he used the old radiator with the oil cooler in it. I’m reading a lot of stuff that says the old oil cooler needs to be replaced or metal shavings will destroy the new engine. Whats worse, I had a new radiator in the trunk that I told him to use and he forgot to use it. He’s going to put the new rad in for free, but do you think the new engine will be okay?

 

Do you know exactly what failed in the motor before replacement? If it was a rod knock or low oil pressure or something along those lines I would say you should be alright. Now if it was a broken connector rod or broken piston, any type of catastrophic failure that makes huge amounts of debris I would question the reuse of the radiator. You may want to replace the radiator and remove oil filter and cut it open to view what was collected to take any doubts away.
Brad

 

It was rod knock. He is going to replace the radiator for free, but I have already driven 100 miles with the new engine and old radiator. So I feel like the damage is already done if there were metal shavings. IDK

 

The filter would catch most if not all debris. Rod knock as a failure usually does not produce the debris that would be critical. Changing our radiator is a great idea. Good luck
Brad

 

Thank you, I really hope you are right. I’m losing too much sleep over this lol. Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

I would say do a fluid change and new rad. Then you will be golden if you are not sure. I'm replacing the entire system myself with my engine as I had a bearing go.


Edit: sorry.... "if you have the money to throw at it" some will say... but I'm a "better safe then sorry" kind of person...