1987 Peterbilt 379 arge air cooler repair

‘87 Pete 379. The charge air cooler has a crack on the passenger side, upper front side corner and the top bracket, that attaches it to the front of the radiator is broken. Im pretty sure all 3 of these can be tig welded and repaired. It was very easy to remove, so not a big job. After I repair the crack, I’ll air test it to look for other leaks. What psi should I charge it to? Another thing, are the charge air coolers specific to truck model or engine model? This truck is a very early ‘87 379 and was told(by Peterbilt) the radiator in my truck is a 359 radiator.

 

This crack is literally 3” long and 1/4” wide at the top 1”. I really don’t see how it ran like it did.

 

I tig welded this morning, installed it and runs better in a pull.

 

This truck has really came alive. Seems to get a little better fuel mileage and smokes less. Gonna try and run the OH tonight, with the numbers Wore Out gave me.

 

What I don’t understand, is why this truck doesn’t have a boost gauge? It has a manifold pressure gauge but it stays very low. That gauge my not be working correctly?? I’d rather have a boost gauge. What’s the difference in the two?