Radiator Replacement Writeup

[Nelsito65]

Originally Posted by holymoly

bushings? I just slid the rad back in.

The parts circled in red come off the radiator, exposing two pins that are molded into the radiator, and are what hold your radiator at the bottom. They keep the rad from flapping back and forward at the bottom. You were supposed to reuse those, unless your new radiator came with new ones attached already (mine didn't).
(I took the liberty to use your picture to show what I'm talking about. I hope it's not copyrighted....)



Edit: If you need to install those and already have the radiator in place, just remove the upper brackets, lift up the rad a little bit and slide those in place.

[LoveSick]

This is what the rubber looks like:


You may need two draining pans for the transmission cooling lines:



See the difference between the two rads:


And of course, use silica free OEM coolant to prevent premature waterpump failure:

[holymoly]

You are right, I only had those pins. Need to put those two in place.

Thanks.

During the flush, I wasn't able to get the thermostat out.

Would the thermostat still in place restricted the flush in the engine block?

[ridinwitha35]

Originally Posted by holymoly

Would the thermostat still in place restricted the flush in the engine block?

Doubt it, as long as it functions correctly (opens when hot). I never touched my t-stat.

As far as those rubber mounts, I had to reuse them...my new Koyo radiator did not come with them.

[holymoly]

Originally Posted by ridinwitha35

Doubt it, as long as it functions correctly (opens when hot). I never touched my t-stat.

As far as those rubber mounts, I had to reuse them...my new Koyo radiator did not come with them.

yup, I had to place those in now posthumously. they're in there now.

[super32]

Originally Posted by LoveSick

...
See the difference between the two rads:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y25...r/23a5dbf7.jpg

wow. the new radiator looks huge! did/will it fit?
where did everyone go to get their radiator? I need to replace mine soon, but don't want to get a "cheap-o" version
i keep hearing about "Koyo", are they that much better?

thanks!

[holymoly]

Just found out some say Spectra Premium is even better and cheaper.

They say Rock Auto is one place to get one.

[pmohr]

Originally Posted by holymoly

Just found out some say Spectra Premium is even better and cheaper.

They say Rock Auto is one place to get one.

Indeed, the Spectra is very nice (just installed mine yesterday). Just over $100 shipped from RockAuto.