Time for a new radiator

[mike561]

Pressure tested my cooling system today and discovered my radiator spraying out green, it seems easy to replace but i jus wanna know how to safely remove it without bothering the high pressure ac line that runs across the top, that doesnt have to come off does it?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by mike561

Pressure tested my cooling system today and discovered my radiator spraying out green, it seems easy to replace but i jus wanna know how to safely remove it without bothering the high pressure ac line that runs across the top, that doesnt have to come off does it?

It should not be difficult.the ac line will move enough be gentile easy.
what is bad on radiator? I had a very large raditor with a 16psi cap, what I found was this pressure caused my tank seam to crack.when I replaced with 14.5 psi cap it never reoccured.

[mike561]

well i know the cap on my radiator said 15 psi, its the same cap ive always had on the radiator, so thats what i pumped into the system then i saw coolant seeping out on the coils, def diddnt wanna go any higher than 15 and end up blowing a head gasket or something :o

[rhandwor]

Pep Boys used to be close to what I paid with a garage discount. You might to compare their prices.

[Blt2Lst]

Should not be a difficult job, hardest part is disconnecting the trans lines, especially if rusted. Just spray them with some penetrating oil (the day before would not hurt). Should also use flair nut wrenches, those fittings are easy to strip with a standard wrench if frozen in place. If that happens, get the vise grips

I used a 3 row radiator when i replaced mine, i need the extra cooling capacity here in socal. Stock was a 2 row.

Don't forget the thermostat while you are at it.

good luck

Al

[mike561]

question about the t-stat also, when i replaced the thermostat housing there was no thermostat in there, why would they have left it out?

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by mike561

question about the t-stat also, when i replaced the thermostat housing there was no thermostat in there, why would they have left it out?

Probably to nurse a failing radiator...

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by mike561

question about the t-stat also, when i replaced the thermostat housing there was no thermostat in there, why would they have left it out?

If you live in a warm climate[it don't freeze] many don't install a thermostat or for that matter antifreeze...then they wonder why things are F**d up..

make sure that you drain the entire system and install at least 50% coolant and use high quality water best use distilled...

when the leak is at the radiator coolant tubes its from corrosion..

15 psi is stock cap ..I could not find aftermarket 15 so I tried 16 psi and this as I said is too high .thats why I settled for the 14.5 because that was available at that time.

[mike561]

yeah it def dont get down to freezing here (southern fl), you think i should just stay with the 15 psi cap then?

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by mike561

yeah it def dont get down to freezing here (southern fl), you think i should just stay with the 15 psi cap then?

That should be ok.
I would also use a 180 deg T-stat.

Al

[mike561]

k i jus picked up a t-stat, might as well put one in while im at it

[mike561]

This certianly turned into a project, as i was trying to remove the t-stat housing one of the bolts were seized inside the manifold and snapped off, i tried drilling it out but it only got worse, now the hole is all mangled up and i am now getting a new intake manifold. i already got the carb removed. oh well ive been wanting to see how dirty the engine is under the manifold anyway, im expecting it to look like the bottom of a bbq grill, ill take pics when the manifold comes off.

[mike561]

and heres the inside, ALOT cleaner than i expected, im getting a new intake manifold and valve covers

[j cAT]

the oil area looks very good ..the coolant area looks corroded...

[bhw33191]

how much for the new manifold?