Radiator R&R

I took the new Delco unit out of the box and saw the relief airline fitting on top of the drivers side tank for pre-97 cars, but didn't want to take it back and lose the good deal($189)and decided to use it. I bought 4ft. of 3/8 fuel line and ran it around the airbox, under the reservoir and up to the throttle body line and spliced in a T-fitting there. This should help any air trapped in there escape and maybe solve my earlier high pressure problem. Then, when switching over the fans I noticed the steel fan supports that clip on to the top and bottom core rails didn't fit the new rail. The new rad core is almost twice as thick(wide)as the old one. Like a three pass instead of two. So now I'm wondering if the old one, which was a dealer warranty job, was even the right one. In the old days if a car had A/C, it took a bigger rad to compensate for the condensor getting first shot at the fresh air. It looks like a rad for a non-A/C car, but I think all Aurora's came with air?? Hard to believe GM would downgrade the rad in a car that already has a tough time drawing enough air to stay cool(no grille). I modified the clips to fit and all came together well. BTW, the old one failed because the entire front edge of the drivers side tank was never crimped on and eventually seperated. Dealer yo-yo mechanic never even inspected it before installation. The extra liquid capacity only amounted to a few cups, so I don't think the pump will have to work any harder. It going to move the same volume according to RPM, right? No leaks, no spitting up, and she's staying cool and running good!

good job

where did you get a radiator for that price

The place is called Parts Unlimited I, but it's pretty much radiator/heater cores. A lot of Delco overstock there. 22353 Hwy.18, Apple Valley, CA 92307 (760) 247-5510.

The lower trans cooling hose developed a small leak at the crimp onto the metal line. New one at the dealer $21, took one day to get. Rad cap spewed once more since new core last weekend, but it only does it when it's taken down the Cajon Pass to almost sea level. Never has done it around home(3k ft.)