Things to do with Rad out?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 100
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Things to do with Rad out?
Hey all, waiting on Rad fix and wondering since I have the Rad out of the car and I ain’t doing any driving, anything to check or fix while I have it out and room to work?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,697
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From: WI
The radiator side-seals (foam seals) often get old and brittle. Break, fall out or are disgarded. Those are hugely important in the cooling of a corvette as they prevent the fan from pulling in air from the sides of the fan shroud (and not *through* the radiator itself). If your are missing or bad, now it the perfect time to replace them.
Check the water pump for any 'play' in the bearings.
Inspect hoses. If brittle or looking 'puffed-up' consider replacing. Make sure there's a spring in the lower radiator hose.
Nows a good time to stock up & install new coolant. You were probably going to anyway. Use distilled water (not tap water). Or buy pre-mix.
Anything else up front that looks suspicious. ...Lube suspension while you're at it.
That's about all I can think of.
Check the water pump for any 'play' in the bearings.
Inspect hoses. If brittle or looking 'puffed-up' consider replacing. Make sure there's a spring in the lower radiator hose.
Nows a good time to stock up & install new coolant. You were probably going to anyway. Use distilled water (not tap water). Or buy pre-mix.
Anything else up front that looks suspicious. ...Lube suspension while you're at it.
That's about all I can think of.
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I'm thinking,..... put the rad back in.
Car will go much further with rad back in.
Car will go much further with rad back in.
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heh...that's how it started for me three years ago. Car sat 20+ years prior...copper rad needed recore...so out it came along with support. Next thing I know I am down to the frame on a "body on" restore. All drivetrain and suspension is out except engine and tranny. Getting ready to begin the reassemble. So you could do all that....or....just what has been posted already....things that are hard to access with the rad in....which is a lot actually.