OK. I've never put in a new radiator before, but it seems to me it's all just bolt on stuff. I have a an old leaky 2 core and will be getting either a heavy-duty 3 core or possibly a 4. My questions are: Is this this a job for the pros - or something that just takes a little time and patience? I've learned the hard way before. If it is a shadetree job - do you guys have any tips before I start cursing the Coolant System Gods?
trans lines get a good brand line wrench not an open end and you might not have much problems with the lines but you should be able to do you self andy:TU:
Would the lines have to be shortened due to the wider radiator or is the depth negligable? Sorry if I'm stealing the thread...
Eric, the tanks are the same regardless of how many rows of fins. Randy, you can't go wrong with the modine 4 core. Y ou will have to trim your radiator rubbers a bit. If you can't find it from your local parts store Poston sells it for like $220.
A little thing I figured out... Those little rubber things that hold the radiator snug... since the new radiator will be wider (someone mentioned trimming them)... what I did was cut them in half so the curved part still goes over the edges. Just another way to skin the cat :grin:
easy easy job. my rubbers don't fit correctly on my radiator, but they hold it snug.o No: i'll probably go aluminum soon, anyway. just take off the hoses, tranny line if applicable, then the 4-6 bolts that hold the radiator top plate on.
Yeah - it was cake. She won't go over 180 at idle in the heat. My rubbers are a problem however. I think I hacked em pretty good trying to get them to fit right and it's not as snug as I'd like it to be. But, hell - even the 2 row had sway in it. Anybody aware of aftermarket supports? Also, if anyone has a few minutes and a digital camera, I'd love to see what you did and how it fits. Thanks again guys. First round's on me...:beer
When I put my 4 core in all I did was cut the rubber pieces in half and then set them back in there, there was a little gap in the middle but I dont think thats a big deal. Its all back together now but I could probably go take it apart and get a shot of it if you'd like.
That'd be cool. I'd just like to see how they fit on the finished product. Really appreciate that, bro.
Ok, I won't be able to do it tonight because I've got to head to bed (3:30am comes quick) but I will tomorrow after work.
My top supports didn't fit right no matter what I did, it was not staying put. Also, I wasn't getting all the cooling power from my new 4 row because it wasn't sitting flush with the fan. Finally, I saw a crack in my shroud that wasn't there before - so I'd had enough. I decided to do a little "customizing" and in the process may have pulled off a cool shadtree manuver that has my radiator sitting nice and tight. I took a heavy duty radiator hose, cut it to about 3", put two 1/2" slits on one end. Then I set the hose between the slit on the support and the radiator casings. Same for both sides, obviously. I was a little nervous when I took it for a road test but it stayed put. And dare I say, it almost looks cool. If it fails, I'll let you all know, but I don't see it going anywhere. It gives just enough, but there is enough pressure to keep it tight and aligned perfectly. We'll see...
