1976 Checker Marathon Cooling System Parts

This table covers the engine coolants and antifreeze formulations specified for this cooling system. Typical signs include a rising temperature gauge, rusty or sludged coolant, or a heater that blows cold. Use the chemistry named in the notes. Mixing silicate, OAT and HOAT formulas can gel in the radiator. Read more

16 Coolant / Antifreeze parts for the 1976 Checker Marathon come from 4 brands — PEAK, PRESTONE, FVP and 1 other brand. The "Popular" part is FVP MV5050GAL. Every part fits both the 4.1L 250cid L6 and the 5.7L 350cid V8.

In the Compatible With All Colors grade, PRESTONE supplies 1 part: grouped under the catalog's "Compatible With All Colors" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. A representative part number is PRESTONE AF3055.

The Economy section lists 4 options from FVP, PRESTONE, PEAK and 1 other brand — the catalog's value-priced group. FVP MV5050GAL is listed in this group.

In the Heavy Duty grade, VALVOLINE supplies 1 part: rated for severe service. A representative part number is VALVOLINE ZXG051.

In the Premium grade, PRESTONE and PEAK supply 4 parts: a step above OE specification in materials, tolerances or warranty terms. A representative part number is PRESTONE AF2100.

In the Standard Replacement grade, PEAK, FVP and PRESTONE supply 6 parts: built to original-equipment specification. A representative part number is FVP GREEN5050GAL.

This table covers the Radiator Fan clutches. Typical signs include slip at highway speed, chatter on takeoff, or a pedal that stays low. Resurface or replace the flywheel with the clutch — a heat-checked flywheel wastes the new disc. Read more

9 Radiator Fan Clutch parts for the 1976 Checker Marathon come from 5 brands — ACDELCO, FOUR SEASONS, GPD and 2 other brands. The "Popular" part is ACDELCO 1580244. Every part fits both the 4.1L 250cid L6 and the 5.7L 350cid V8.

This group includes ACDELCO 1580244, FOUR SEASONS 36952 and ACDELCO 1580245 and the remaining parts above.

This table covers the upper, lower and connecting hoses between radiator, engine and reservoir. Typical signs include swelling, cracks, a soft spot, or a leak at a clamp. Replace adjacent aged hoses while the system is drained — they share the same heat cycle. Read more

27 Radiator Hose parts are listed for the 1976 Checker Marathon, from DAYCO, GATES, ACDELCO and 1 other brand. GATES 26611 carries the "Popular" badge. Grades run from Economy through Standard Replacement; Standard Replacement is the most populated section, led by DAYCO, ACDELCO, GATES and 1 other brand.

This table covers the thermostats that open the coolant circuit at the specified temperature. Typical signs include slow warm-up, a gauge that climbs in traffic, or heat that never quite arrives. Replace the housing gasket with the thermostat and bleed the system so a trapped air pocket does not cook the new part. Read more

32 Thermostat parts are listed for the 1976 Checker Marathon, from MOTORAD, CALORSTAT and GATES. MOTORAD 300180 carries the "Popular" badge. They are grouped as Economy, Heavy Duty, Performance, Premium and Standard Replacement, with Standard Replacement the largest group at 15 parts from CALORSTAT, MOTORAD and GATES.

This table covers the seals at the thermostat housing and water outlet. Typical signs include a wet housing, a drip after sitting, or fluid flung off a rotating shaft. Fix the surface the seal rides on. A new seal on a grooved shaft will leak again. Read more

12 Thermostat / Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet Seal parts for the 1976 Checker Marathon come from 6 brands — MAHLE / CLEVITE, FEL-PRO, VICTOR REINZ and 3 other brands. The "Popular" part is FEL-PRO 35062. 5 parts fit every engine; the other 7 are engine-specific.

This table covers the housings and outlets the thermostat sits in. Read more

7 Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet parts are listed for the 1976 Checker Marathon, from GPD, FOUR SEASONS, MOTORAD and 1 other brand.

Economy: 3 parts, from GPD and DORMAN. A representative part number is DORMAN 9022018.

The Standard Replacement section: 4 options from FOUR SEASONS and MOTORAD. FOUR SEASONS 84852 is listed in this group.

Part numbers include DORMAN 9022018, GPD 8241278 and GPD 8241307, among others listed above.

This table covers the pumps that circulate coolant through the block and radiator. Typical signs include coolant at the weep hole, pulley play, or a growl from the front of the engine. Replace the thermostat and refill with the specified coolant whenever the pump comes off. Read more

15 Water Pump parts are listed for the 1976 Checker Marathon, from DAYCO, US MOTOR WORKS, GMB and 4 other brands. ACDELCO 252595 carries the "Popular" badge.

Economy: 6 parts, from FVP, US MOTOR WORKS, DL and 1 other brand. A representative part number is DL BWP386.

In the High Volume / Pressure grade, US MOTOR WORKS supplies 1 part: grouped under the catalog's "High Volume / Pressure" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. A representative part number is US MOTOR WORKS US895H.

The Standard Replacement section: 8 options from DAYCO, GMB and ACDELCO. ACDELCO 252595 is listed in this group.

This table covers the gaskets between the water pump and the block or housing. Typical signs include seepage at the joint, a burnt-oil smell, or a leak that appears only after a long drive. Clean both flanges and torque in the sequence the notes or the manual call for. Read more

3 Water Pump Gasket parts for the 1976 Checker Marathon come from 3 brands — FEL-PRO, MAHLE / CLEVITE and VICTOR REINZ.

This group includes FEL-PRO 13243, MAHLE / CLEVITE K26545 and VICTOR REINZ 711398300.