radiator replacement

[PsychoNumber1]

radiator replacement and filling/bleeding

hey guys going to be replacing the radiator in my 87 vert. any hints/tips or even cautions to look out for? thanx

edit:

also...

how about best way to go about filling with coolant and bleeding the air from the coolant system?

 

[Moonunit 451]

Welcome to the forum Psycho :L Very straightforward job, just be sure to clean well between the radiator and A/C condenser while it's out.

 

[vetteboy86]

I am with Moon on this one. A very straightforward task. I hope things go well, because you never know what could happen along the way.

Oh and by the way welcome to .

Craig

 

[PsychoNumber1]

more q's above

 

[chevyaddict]

Welcome! Welcome! Radiator pretty simple - filling simple too; just make sure you run the car for awhile with the radiator cap off to ensure there are no missing bubbles in the system. As far as flushing goes - people have various viewpoints about this. Some thing running flush backward through the system will clog things. Some people think flush in and of itself is not good in the system. Some think that just running a hose through it is sufficient. I have not had any problems with just putting flush in there and hooking a hose up using a flush system and running things backward through the block. So I would recommend that. However there may be other opinions!

Have fun!

 

[PsychoNumber1]

also again

also... I live in 100+ heat, should I also use the wett water stuph or anything else?

 

[chevyaddict]

also... I live in 100+ heat, should I also use the wett water stuph or anything else?

I used that stuff - the 20degree drop additive (can't remember the name) and it worked GREAT! finally let me run the air. I live in AZ so it is just as hot. i would try it for sure but make sure you don't have any leaks before you do so. Its $20 a bottle!
Dawn

 

[lone73]

Air purge

Best way to purge air I've heard is to drill a hole or two in the flange of the thermostat. Provides a little more cooling flow also.
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[taegdh]

The best way to purge the air is to fill up your cooling system then start the engine with the cap off of the radiator.

Let it run, keeping the coolant level three or four inches below the filler, after a while you'll see the flow of hot coolant through and the level drop. Add more and let it keep running, this time til it is at the base of the neck.


Let the thermostat cycle one more time this time adding more if necessary, apply the radiator cap and add fresh coolant to the overflow tank.

Lest I have to preach to the choir, but this is an excellent time to "clean out" the overflow tank.

Drilling holes in the thermostat just defeats the purpose of a thermostat. Many of them already have a small hole for allowing air to pass through.

I'll also say there many who just throw the new one in and go for it with out ensuring you have the air out of the system. Hey it takes 15 minutes. Use the time to be cleaning up your tools and just keep an eye on it so you do it right. If you have concerns about the system over heating, you gotta check the entire system, and use a good thermostat, I recommend the "Fail Safe" ones which lock in the open position if they fail.

Remember you own a Corvette, not a Corvair!!!

 

[Edmond]

Pop that radiator out and clean out the area where it sits. You're going to find a bunch of leaves and a bunch of other stuff that would make a worthy bird nest!

Use Water Wetter; it really works. I would use 2 bottles; I use two bottles because I felt one bottle wasn't giving me what I wanted. It won't keep the temperatures from rising when you're stopped but it will lower the temps much quicker when you finally get moving.

Make sure that the transmission fluid line is in there straight before you attach it back onto the radiator. I almost had an accident and almost stripped that connection.

Oh yeah, and check the lower and upper hoses. If they show even a small sign of needing to be replaced, go ahead and do it. The hoses are pretty cheap and you don't want those things having problems.

 

[lone73]

Drilling holes in the thermostat just defeats the purpose of a thermostat.....

Having holes in my stat just recently prevented me from being left on the highway with an overheated engine.

I'd also add that I talked with an old guy at a radiator shop in Austin about 6 months ago. He's been in the radiator repair business a long time and writes an occasional column for a cooling system trade paper. He told me he recommends drilling them and has been doing it for 30 years....FWIW

If you have any hard evidence that supports not drilling them I'd like to hear it. I'm open minded and ready and willing to consider new info.

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[PsychoNumber1]

update

the radiator is now installed, but the little tabs on the temp sensor were brittle and broke off PLUS I lost a hose clamp, finish tomorrow.

 

[PsychoNumber1]

more

i was informed that it's not a temp sensor but a low coolant sensor?... anyway, I went and looked in the box, hoping for a diagram of what exactly it is so I could buy a replacement and was surprised to find a new sensor to replace the broken one! YAY!

 

[krgoodman]

Having holes in my stat just recently prevented me from being left on the highway with an overheated engine.

I'd also add that I talked with an old guy at a radiator shop in Austin about 6 months ago. He's been in the radiator repair business a long time and writes an occasional column for a cooling system trade paper. He told me he recommends drilling them and has been doing it for 30 years....FWIW

If you have any hard evidence that supports not drilling them I'd like to hear it. I'm open minded and ready and willing to consider new info.

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what size should ya drill the hols?