Lazy Daze Owners' Group

The first piece of information I would need going forward is what’s the engine temperature in the conditions described above.  Most engines and transmissions run hot in extreme temperatures and long uphill drives.  Unless the OP has information that the engine is running too hot, I’d recommend a temperature gauge and perhaps post the temperatures here.  Just a thought.

I did do research here, but found no real answers.
I have the Chevy small block. 1989 Chevy G30, 5.7 liter, V8. My summers are really hot. Anything from 90-116. I put the current radiator in in 2017. It was not an expensive one. However, I need to do something to get her to run cooler. Especially in the mountains. It is a single row and I wonder if I can go to at least a 2 row?  Is this possible and are there other considerations I need to address. (I apologize if I have not given enough info. I just don't know enough about this).

Almost all radiators today have an aluminum core and plastic tanks, it's the industry standard. They are mostly not repairable.
Copper and brass are rare today and are repairable but finding places to do so is becoming less available. With proper maintenance of the coolant, leaks shouldn't be a concern for many years.
It has been a couple of decades since I bought a radiator for a G30 so no recommendations.

I would look for a thick core, our old LD had a 2" core. There are other variables but it is tough or impossible to pick a radiator by looking at the specs in online listings. Looking at Rock Auto's site, I recognized none of the brands.
I would consider going to a local Napa Auto and talk with the counter person about the best HD radiator they carry. Looking at Napa's site, they carry a dozen or more different radiators that fit your LD. The specs tell little.

Larry

Is best fan access from top or below? Is it a 2-piece shroud? Mine is '88 5.7

So I have some experience with the Aluminum 1 core radiator.    Ours was an 85 G30 5.7 and we were going from Southern CA to Yosemite.  I wanted no cooling issues when we bought the rig so I changed everything.  Hoses, Water pump, Tstat, Fan Clutch, radiator, temp sensor and fan belts.  I too wanted a huge radiator, maybe 4 row.  My radiator guy said they only had the single large core aluminum with the plastic ends that Larry mentions.  He said to trust him and I had been going to him since the mid 80s so I took his advice. 

Took a test run on a pretty large grade for may area and fan kicked right on and kept things cool for the climb.  I had plenty of experience with this test grade with a 90 C3500 454 that GM decided to change the fan clutch design and it never worked.  I eventfully fixed that one but that is another long story.   For the LD, I made sure to get the super heavy duty clutch or whatever the name was at the time.  It worked fine on our Yosemite trip and on large pulls, the temp gauge just move a slight tick not much at all..  if you trust that gauge.  We never had a cooling issue for the 10 years we owned it.  Keeping the fan belts tight was key as well.

Here are some pix..   sorry none of the new radiator.  (Actually, found some and added them to the album)
   Cooling System - Google Photos   Link fixed by Ramon, and appears here.    RonB

Ramon

@Mindispower , Got busy with work, did not get to respond yesterday.  I did not post any details of what I bought past the 1 row version and aluminum.  I did not keep any receipts from our rig, I just went and looked.   As Larry said, I bought that radiator in 2010.  It was under $200 at that time. 

Since you changed yours not long ago, as Jon asked..  how is the fan clutch?  Has it ever been changed?  On ours, the minute the gauge would budge, the fan would come on and drop the gauge instantly.  There were times when it was on quite a bit especially  on long grades.   It is a definite power killer but would rather have that than over heat.  There were other times on flat ground but extreme head winds that the fan would come on and cycle.  It is quite loud when it locks up.    You should hear it come on when you first start the engine when cold and last about a minute or so then turn off.  Since I am pretty sure I bought an extreme duty fan clutch, it might have been more sensitive than what is needed thus why we never had temp issues.

Ramon

Hi Ramon! How’s the truck camper? We’re you able to use the catalytic heater?
Dale from Downey.

Mindispower, also note there are different temperature thermostats. I run a 180 degree thermostat in Harvey (he’s a 1989 22’ with a 350).

Larry, thanks for the advice on the fan clutch. I will be sure to carry a spare from now on.