Radiator Installation
I did this for the first time yesterday. Fun times....not. :cry:
Supplies:
New Radiator
Ratchet w/10 mm socket
WD40
Jackstands
Bucket (For coolant/anti-freeze to drain into)
Clamping pliers
Prestone coolant/anti-freeze (I bought 3 bottles)
Water
Flat head screwdriver
New radiator hoses (Optional)
Screw-type tightening rings (Optional...but HIGHLY recommended)
Step 1: Prep work & draining radiator
Jack the car up & use jackstands! Position the bucket underneath the drain plug, twist the tap and let it drain.
Step 2: Unbolting the radiator
There are 4 (four) 10 mm bolts that hold the raditor mounts in place. Unbolt those and the radiator will slip out of the engine. Except there are 2 hoses holding it in still.
Step 3: Getting down & dirty
The first hose located by the radiator fill tank is relatively easy to get off. Grab your clamping pliers and clamp the stock clip/ring thing and slip it off (some WD40 works well here). The hose was really tight on there, so I used my flathead to pry it up a bit, a few more squirts of WD40 will do the trick.
Now the second hose (below the A/C compressor fan) is a major PITA!
Unfortunately my stock radiator popped a leak and spilt all my anti-freeze/coolant all over I-65, so by time I got home...well you can imagine. This saved me from having to jack the car up to drain it (since there was nothing left in there). I should have, but I was being lazy.
Get your pliers again & clamp the clip/ring thing. Again, this was a biatch because of the positioning. I had to take my flathead to that one also. Once you get that last one off, the radiator will slip right out.
Step 4: Unbolt A/C condensor & radiator fan
You will have to unscrew/bolt your fans. Simple enough, just do one at a time & swap over to the next core so you don't mix them up. The stock screws/bolts didn't fit the aftermarket core, but the new radiator came w/inserts that slip in. Tighten both fans and move on to the next step.
Step 5: Installing the new core
Get the new radiator & check for imperfections etc. Work backwards for your installation, the radiator has 2 plastic points at the bottom that fit into 2 mounting spots. Instead of those annoying clip/ring things, I switched to the screw type which saves you alot of time, effort & aggrevation. Once you have the 2 hoses replaced, get your radiator mounts and the 4 bolts that go with it. Tighten those & you're about 90% complete.
Step 6: Flushing/filling core
Flush your core by filling it w/70% coolant/anti-freeze (c/a)& 30% water. Replace the the c/a in your resovoir, it's probably dirty also. Run to normal operating temperature w/the HEAT on full blast. Shut car off & let cool. Unplug, drain the nasty stuff out. Plug it back up, refill with 50% c/a & 50% water. And you are done!
Enjoy!
:thumb:
Phil
Pics to follow!
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