lower radiator replacement - any tricks?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
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From: san diego ca
lower radiator replacement - any tricks?
just finishing up an R&R of my '73s radiator and core support bracket (pretty big project for me). The only thing left to do is to install the new lower radiator hose. Any tricks on how to get to the lower (radiator) end of this sucker?
I assembled the core support + new radiator + fan shroud and then installed all together, which worked really nice. But with the ATF cooling lines and all the other crap there's no room to get down there to get the hose on the radiator, let alone be able to get a decent angle on a hose clamp.
I figured I'd query the wisdom of the forum before I spend a few hours cursing the GM designers...as well as a few other things, I'm sure.
Thanks,
John.
I assembled the core support + new radiator + fan shroud and then installed all together, which worked really nice. But with the ATF cooling lines and all the other crap there's no room to get down there to get the hose on the radiator, let alone be able to get a decent angle on a hose clamp.
I figured I'd query the wisdom of the forum before I spend a few hours cursing the GM designers...as well as a few other things, I'm sure.
Thanks,
John.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: daytona beach florida
same thing i did
i put all the moter in and radiator and everything and lookt over and saw the lower on the bench and sed AWW *(&NH(%))@!@!!! i just jackt it up and slid it in from the top with the clamp hanging on the radiator inlet. went back up top and finaggled it on. it was like shooting pool with a rope. haha. but it finally got on there., and i sed heck with the tranny cooler and got one from AZ for 26bucks. cheep and better than factory. but if your goin for ORIGINAL good luck. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Also leave belts off and taper inside of hose on radiator end.That makes it a little easier to get on and put some anti freeze on hose ends to make them slippery.Its a little tough but it will go in-take your time.Oh and I leave the lower clamp off and open it and feed on later.It trys to get in the way.
Last edited by ...Roger...; Jul 16, 2006 at 10:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
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From: san diego ca
Originally Posted by black77c3vett
i put all the moter in and radiator and everything and lookt over and saw the lower on the bench and sed AWW *(&NH(%))@!@!!! i just jackt it up and slid it in from the top with the clamp hanging on the radiator inlet. went back up top and finaggled it on. it was like shooting pool with a rope. haha. but it finally got on there., and i sed heck with the tranny cooler and got one from AZ for 26bucks. cheep and better than factory. but if your goin for ORIGINAL good luck.
I'd better get a beer before I wrestle with this beast any longer.
Tell me more about this AZ tranny cooler...
Also seems like there is less space along the fan shroud for this rad. hose...hope I got things aligned properly.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca
Originally Posted by dwncchs
Also leave belts off and taper inside of hose on radiator end.That makes it a little easier to get on and put some anti freeze on hose ends to make them slippery.Its a little tough but it will go in-take your time.Oh and I leave the lower clamp off and open it and feed on later.It trys to get in the way.
The real b*#ch is that this is supposed to be part of routine maintenance! WTF?!?! Every 15K miles? I don't think so.
Better go wrestle some more.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by Razorhorn
Originally Posted by PhotoVette1
My least favorite thing to do on my Vette. I swear that's why I bought an electric fan--so I could change it easier!
My least favorite thing to do on my Vette. I swear that's why I bought an electric fan--so I could change it easier!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca
Originally Posted by Razorhorn
So, now I have to ask...got any more details on the electric fan setup and why that really helps you here?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
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From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by johnnybrewmeister
So, now I have to ask...got any more details on the electric fan setup and why that really helps you here?
(photo snagged off of forum--not my Vette--mine is undergoing work in this area and wouldn't be a good illustration)
Last edited by PhotoVette1; Jul 18, 2006 at 06:29 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca
Aha! Now I see. Thanks for the enlightenment. I've seen those electric fans in the various catalogs, but didn't see the real need for them.
I didn't realized how much space they open up.
A bit pricy, and since I've finally got this whole area re-installed I'm not too anxious to seriously consider un-doing it just yet. But this is definitely something I'll put on the "some-day" list.
I didn't realized how much space they open up.
A bit pricy, and since I've finally got this whole area re-installed I'm not too anxious to seriously consider un-doing it just yet. But this is definitely something I'll put on the "some-day" list.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 147
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From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by johnnybrewmeister
just finishing up an R&R of my '73s radiator and core support bracket (pretty big project for me). The only thing left to do is to install the new lower radiator hose.
Did you remember to install the 'wire wound spring' in that lower hose?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
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From: san diego ca
Originally Posted by mirrorfinishman
Hey John,
Did you remember to install the 'wire wound spring' in that lower hose?
Did you remember to install the 'wire wound spring' in that lower hose?
Besides, the way I had to twist & squish the hose in order to get it into position...I may not have been able to do that if there were a spring inside to maintain shape. Or maybe it would have been easier?
Am I screwed not having one? Anybody else run without one?
I've had the car for 7 years, and like I said the hose I took off didn't have one.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Some of the premium type lower radiator hoses available from places like Carquest and Advance Auto don't have a inner spring--the walls of the hoses have been redesigned to keep from collapsing.
