1978 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 1978 Checker Marathon come from 4 brands — PEAK, PRESTONE, FVP and 1 other brand. The "Popular" part is FVP MV5050GAL.

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

7 Radiator Fan Clutch parts for the 1978 Checker Marathon come from 4 brands — ACDELCO, FOUR SEASONS, HAYDEN and 1 other brand. The "Popular" part is ACDELCO 1580244.

Part numbers include ACDELCO 1580244, FOUR SEASONS 36952 and ACDELCO 1580245, among others listed 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

24 Radiator Hose parts are listed for the 1978 Checker Marathon, from GATES, ACDELCO, CONTINENTAL and 1 other brand. GATES 26611 carries the "Popular" badge.

Economy: 11 parts, from GATES, ACDELCO, CONTINENTAL and 1 other brand. A representative part number is GATES 26611.

The Standard Replacement section: 13 options from ACDELCO, DAYCO, GATES and 1 other brand. ACDELCO 22219M is listed in this group.

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 1978 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 1978 Checker Marathon come from 6 brands — MAHLE / CLEVITE, FEL-PRO, VICTOR REINZ and 3 other brands. The "Popular" part is FEL-PRO 35062.

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

8 Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet parts are listed for the 1978 Checker Marathon, from DORMAN, GPD, FOUR SEASONS and 1 other brand.

Economy: 4 parts, from DORMAN and GPD. A representative part number is DORMAN 9022064.

The Standard Replacement section: 4 options from FOUR SEASONS and MOTORAD. FOUR SEASONS 84890 is listed in this group.

Listed part numbers: DORMAN 9022064, DORMAN 9022009 and GPD 8241301, plus the other parts 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

16 Water Pump parts are listed for the 1978 Checker Marathon, from GMB, US MOTOR WORKS, FVP and 4 other brands. GMB 1301250P carries the "Popular" badge.

Economy: 7 parts, from FVP, US MOTOR WORKS, DL and 2 other brands. A representative part number is DL BWP386.

In the High Volume / Pressure grade, GMB and US MOTOR WORKS supply 5 parts: grouped under the catalog's "High Volume / Pressure" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. A representative part number is GMB 1301250P.

The Standard Replacement section: 4 options from GMB and DAYCO. DAYCO DP846 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

12 Water Pump Gasket parts for the 1978 Checker Marathon come from 4 brands — FEL-PRO, MAHLE / CLEVITE, VICTOR REINZ and 1 other brand. The "Popular" part is FEL-PRO 5152.

This table covers the Water Pump Stud kits. Read more

ARP supplies the 3 Water Pump Stud Kit parts for the 1978 Checker Marathon.

Listed part numbers: ARP 1343204, ARP 1343203 and ARP 4343203.