Ever changed a radiator?

[jiangtao]

Well, I finally did it! I was going to work the other day and a damn Honda Accord was on my tail. I sped up and he caught up with me several times. Finally, I waved at him then dropped it down into drive and floored it. When I hit 4500 RPMs I shifted back into overdrive and let off. I looked for the Honda and he was about 1/4 mile behind me{maybe more} and then I looked at speed and I was at 132! Pulled into work and smelled coolant. Now I have a leak coming from the bottom in front of the R wheel. {It's from the radiator} How much of a job is changing the radiator? I just changed the one on my '82 and it wasn't fun at all!

 

[Hrtbeat1]

It's really not that bad. There are a pile of screws all around the two halves of the shroud. Its actually more like three pieces ... the fan mounting bracket is another section. The hardest part is getting to all the screws, you have to get some from underneath the front and others from the engine compartments.

 

[1995 RedVette]

It isn't that bad. I did mine on my 95 a few months ago. The only thing that is a bit challanging is getting to the 6 (three per side) 7mm sheet metal screws that hold the upper and lower tunnel together. If you lay down in from of the car and look up under the bumper toward the radiator you can see the screw end. The heads are easy to see, just a pain to get to. I would suggest that you get your self a set of metric ratching wrenches to get to them. You may still have to pull the inner fender well to get to them...I did (fat arms). With that free you can lift the radiator cover and shimmy the old radiator out. Have a shop vac handy to clean all of the grass, leaves, etc. Then do it all in reverse. Another tip, while you have things apart, move the clips for those 6 7mm screws to the opposing side and put the screws back in from the radiator tunnel behind the front bumper. I had to do this because I physically could not get them all back in (again fat arms). I took about 4 hours not working too hard. I could do it again in probably 2 1/2. Good luck

Brett



.....Sorry didn't realize that the L98's had that different of a radiator set up. Never mind about the 7mm screws, they didn't come around until the LT1's.

Brett

 

[Edmond]

Paying for the radiator was worse than the work to put it in!:L:L:L Is it on the passenger side? If so, make sure that it's not just the petcock drain plug that's a little loose.

And make sure to clean out all the leaves and other debris from the radiator housing area after you take the radiator out.

 

[BamaVette87]

I replaced the radiator my '87 at the first of the summer. I've included a link to the CAC Knowledgebase article that I pretty much followed for getting the radiator out and back in. I had two problems.
1) When I tried to remove the lower transmission cooler pipe from the radiator, it wouldn't budge. It looked like someone in times past had torqued it and actually twisted the pipe underneath the threaded collar which was causing it to bind. I finally man-handled it off!

2) I also replaced my lower radiator hose when I had the radiator out. To start with, I couldn't figure out how to get to the end of the hose on the water pump. Someone suggested that I remove the serpentine belt tensioner (one bolt!). That gave me the access I needed. (BTW, when installing the belt tensioner again, use 60 lbs torque on the bolt.)

Can't think of any other problems that I had. The tech tip was good!

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/question.php?qstId=439

Good Luck!
(P.S. Noticed that you are in Alabama ... me too ... north central near Huntsville)

 

[Moonunit 451]

It's really quite easy, (ecspecially the third and fourth times ). I don't remember any bolts on the bottom though. Line wrenches really may be neccesary for the tranny lines if you don't want to trash them.

 

[Vettelt193]

it's just one of those jobs that is more time consuming than difficult....

When I did it on my '87, i had the plastic sides of the radiator replaced. it was very cheap to do. the plastic sides are usually what goes bad on them

 

[rrubel]

I've had the radiator out in my 86 several times, and I too don't remember anything underneath. IMHO the hardest part (aside from the aforementioned tranny cooler lines - USE A BACKING WRENCH!!!) is the A/C canister that sits on the pass side. It was quite difficult to get it to break loose from its mountings after removing the screws. I think I'm down to 20 minutes removal and about 15 replacement, including fluids.

FWIW, I've got a used (but professionally refurbished inside) heavy-duty radiator that I bought from someone on this forum that I'm looking to re-sell (didn't need it after all). If you want a cheap replacement, $100 will get it shipped to you. If you have the cash, though, go with something like a DeWitt - which is $500+. I can provide pix if desired.

[RICHR]

 

[Moonunit 451]

Rich, please define "backing wrench".

And once again, I've got a DeWitts along with lots of other stuff, and this is for a 383, but I still can't cool the damn thing like I'd like. Just remember, it's a lot of $'s if you are not racing your car, and I really got nothing tangible from the expenditure. I don't think it's necessary for a stock car at any rate. My .02

 

[atmmac]

definetly use the flaring wrench for the cooler lines. I learned the hard way.

 

[jiangtao]

Well, I kinda have some good news. I don't think I will have to do the work. The day before it started leaking a lady backed into the front of it at the gas station. I thought no big deal. It wasn't that bad, but the front end still needed to be replaced.{fiberglass cracked} I didn't have a problem with it before that. I got to looking at it last night and she hit right where the side of the radiator{driver's} is. I remember when she hit it she sat there for a minute and I walked up to look and the trailer hitch was dug pretty deep into the bumper. I am thinking she hit perfectly enough that it torqued the radiator mount! That is where I see the most leaking coming from. I'll be tied up all day with the insurance people now! Lucky she had it!! I'll keep you posted.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

That's good news?

 

[Hrtbeat1]

I am thinking she hit perfectly enough that it torqued the radiator mount!

You have me confused now. The radiator mount is basically the whole shroud assy. On the upper and lower corners of the radiator are rubber "mounts" this is inside the shroud assy. Once its all bolted together it basically free floats in the shroud.

 

[rrubel]

Moonunit, a backing wrench is just a second wrench used on certain fittings where there's a nut on the fitting AND a nut on what you're screwing in to. Look at your fuel rail and A/C lines for an example. IIRC there are two nuts on the transmission lines - there usually are when you've got a thin metal tube attaching to something.
[RICHR]

 

[jiangtao]

I guess I should have said the radiator assembly. The dang thing never had a problem until she hit the car. If you look at it from the outside you could never tell the car had been hit save for a scratch or two, I was standing beside the car when it happened and it was being pushed back while in park! Anyway, I got a brand new Pontiac Grand "Prick" from the rental place until I hear some more news. I hate to admit it, but the Grand Prix handles good and has pretty good power! Still a bit away from my '86 Z51 even though it will be 20 on Nov.11th.

 

[rrubel]

Funny - I had a Grand Prix from the rental place last time MY Vette (and Outback) was in the shop. I liked it for about the first two days, then the red gauges and odd seats got to me. Not bad power from a V6, though.
[RICHR]

 

[Moonunit 451]

Moonunit, a backing wrench is just a second wrench used on certain fittings where there's a nut on the fitting AND a nut on what you're screwing in to. Look at your fuel rail and A/C lines for an example. IIRC there are two nuts on the transmission lines - there usually are when you've got a thin metal tube attaching to something.
[RICHR]

DOH :duh Thought it might have been a special tool I wasn't aware of
I owned a 71 GP! It was second only to my Vette. What a rideand a beautiful car . Unfortunately I was 18, got drunk and totaled it, fortunately, I lived and learned a big lesson. Only other car I really loved.

I've owned several others from 69 to late 70's or early mid 80's I guess, trying to chase down the feeling. That car was a one year phenomenon, and I've only seen a couple in the last 15 + years. If I ever see a nice one again, I'll do what it takes to own it within reason, and it wasn't even an SSJ, just an SJ

 

[larry bud]

Well, I kinda have some good news. I don't think I will have to do the work. The day before it started leaking a lady backed into the front of it at the gas station. I thought no big deal. It wasn't that bad, but the front end still needed to be replaced.{fiberglass cracked} I didn't have a problem with it before that. I got to looking at it last night and she hit right where the side of the radiator{driver's} is. I remember when she hit it she sat there for a minute and I walked up to look and the trailer hitch was dug pretty deep into the bumper. I am thinking she hit perfectly enough that it torqued the radiator mount! That is where I see the most leaking coming from. I'll be tied up all day with the insurance people now! Lucky she had it!! I'll keep you posted.

So what you're saying is that you're going to lie about the radiator and rip off the insurance company so that we're all paying more?

 

[jiangtao]

Well, no. I had no problems before that lady backed into my car and pushed it backward while in park! I told the shop that I wanted them to inspect it the best they could. They have the radiator out as we speak and my friend who runs the shop told me today that he hasn't decided yet whether the lady who hit my car messed it up or not. If she didn't then she didn't. I can always buy a new one! They aren't that expensive.

 

[Moonunit 451]

So what you're saying is that you're going to lie about the radiator and rip off the insurance company so that we're all paying more?

I think that's a big jump to make from his statement Larry :eyerole It sounds quite possible that the two are directly related from his discription.

Unless you know something that was not stated here about the situation I don't understand why you would make such an outrageous statement. That's not the way things usually go around here.