Replacing radiator, any tips?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
Replacing radiator, any tips?
Hi,
Have heat problems when running over 60. My vette dripped some coolant from radiator when hot, but now it is marking it's territory like a jungle cat.
So ordered my '79 L82 a new radiator.
To prepare myself I checked youtube. Going to keep the hood on, remove fan, pul back/ remove shroud and replace radiator after flushing block and heater core. Will also check thermostat function.
Hope to recover my hoses. They look fine on the outside.
Any more tips what to do or check while I'm doing this?
Thx
Have heat problems when running over 60. My vette dripped some coolant from radiator when hot, but now it is marking it's territory like a jungle cat.
So ordered my '79 L82 a new radiator.
To prepare myself I checked youtube. Going to keep the hood on, remove fan, pul back/ remove shroud and replace radiator after flushing block and heater core. Will also check thermostat function.
Hope to recover my hoses. They look fine on the outside.
Any more tips what to do or check while I'm doing this?
Thx
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
When I did mine, I found it went much easier with one person on each side guiding it down (and up during removal too), holding things out of the way, etc - so if you have a helper you trust, that would probably help alot. 
If you were having overheat issues at speed, I would also make sure your shroud seals (between radiator support and hood) are in good shape, and that your air deflector (under the front bumper area) is installed, so more air is deflected up thru the radiator.
If you were having overheat issues at speed, I would also make sure your shroud seals (between radiator support and hood) are in good shape, and that your air deflector (under the front bumper area) is installed, so more air is deflected up thru the radiator.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
Cap is included with the radiator.
Airdam I bought few months back, but the bolts are seased in the metal plates under my car. Have snaped two and third bolt came of serounded by polyester/glasfiber... can't buy pb blast over here and wd40 does not help, will grind/cut the metel plates and bolts with my dremel.
Shroud seals are missing, don't know if I can buy universal seals at the local autoshop or have to import them.
Coolant I buy premixed. Last time I checked price was the same to equal quantity afer diluting concentrated coolant.
Putting the new one in will be with help, pulling original out I'll see.
Other tips are always welcome.
Airdam I bought few months back, but the bolts are seased in the metal plates under my car. Have snaped two and third bolt came of serounded by polyester/glasfiber... can't buy pb blast over here and wd40 does not help, will grind/cut the metel plates and bolts with my dremel.
Shroud seals are missing, don't know if I can buy universal seals at the local autoshop or have to import them.
Coolant I buy premixed. Last time I checked price was the same to equal quantity afer diluting concentrated coolant.
Putting the new one in will be with help, pulling original out I'll see.
Other tips are always welcome.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
Take a look at the radiator support while you're at it. If it's badly rusted you might want to remove it, clean it up and paint it. Or if it's too bad, replace it. Also, has the water pump ever been replaced? This'd be a good time to do it.
Last edited by revitup; May 16, 2017 at 08:41 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 136
From: PHOENIX, AZ Yes, it's true. You are a good woman. Then again, you may be the Antichrist.
Now is the time. I had to pull my core support to fix some previous person's poor work that left the lower radiator brackets in the wrong positions. Radiator wasn't sitting in in them properly, so I had to cut them off and re-weld to the core support. Glad I did, because I found a couple rust-through spots on the support. Got them cleaned up, welded closed and then painted the support. You're already in it deep, "Might as well..."
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
I pulled the radiator out of my 82 a couple of years ago, most frustrating part was getting the dang thing out; suspect a 79 will be similar. The lower inlet housing on the radiator
wouldn't clear the suspension...turns out you have to remove bolts on each side and loosen ones on each side (from under the wheel well) to rotate the radiator frame about an inch, allowing for the housing to pass. I posted some pictures on the technical C3 forum page. Just search by my username. Also recommend having another set of hands to prevent scratching your paint!
wouldn't clear the suspension...turns out you have to remove bolts on each side and loosen ones on each side (from under the wheel well) to rotate the radiator frame about an inch, allowing for the housing to pass. I posted some pictures on the technical C3 forum page. Just search by my username. Also recommend having another set of hands to prevent scratching your paint!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I've pulled my 79's radiator more than I care to admit to. I have no idea how anyone could do it by themselves. I've always done it with one person on each side of the car. My wife helped the last time I put mine in, a few months back. BTW, 79 L-82's running hotter on the interstate is a common complaint, and exactly what mine has always done. I've been driving up and down the interstates for 12 years with the temps getting up to about 220, and cooling down from there once I got off the interstate. I just installed a repro pace car spoiler and am hoping it makes a difference on highway temps, but it hasn't gotten really hot here yet to really test it out.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,559
Likes: 7,006
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
2" by 2" dense foam from a home improvement store works well between the underside of the hood and the top of the radiator support. It has adhesive already app.I'd to one side oof the foam strip.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 336
Likes: 69
From: Staten Island New York
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
Hi,
Fan and pully removed.
Problem taking the shroud out. Two bolts on upper corners. Can't find any others. It is stuck at drivers side lower corner, right corner was loose by itself. Also the aux electric fan is still in the shroud. How do I disconnect it?
Fan and pully removed.
Problem taking the shroud out. Two bolts on upper corners. Can't find any others. It is stuck at drivers side lower corner, right corner was loose by itself. Also the aux electric fan is still in the shroud. How do I disconnect it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
The shroud comes out with radiator...at least it did on mine. Secrets revealed in this post. Best of luck!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-tech-performance/3607139-secret-to-pulling-radiator-on-82-a.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-tech-performance/3607139-secret-to-pulling-radiator-on-82-a.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 943
From: Lake Tahoe, CA
What ever you do take pictures as you go to remove everything to guide you as you reinstall everything.
