Radiator removel and install
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
I don't have any pics but it's pretty much straight forward. Get a buddy and pull the hood, not an absolute but helps. Drain the coolant. Disconnect upper and lower hoses. Unbolt the top radiator hold downs (2) from upper radiator shroud. Lift old radiator up and out. Install new one the reverse of above and fill with cap off, then start car and turn heat on high, top off coolant after 10 mins or so, cap on a run again for 10 mins watching engine temps, let cool down and then check coolant levels again, top off if needed.
hth,
Sully
hth,
Sully
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
No pics but try this post. If you do a search you can find more.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...r-removal.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...r-removal.html
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I think it's a good idea to tape a piece of cardboard to each side of the core to protect it while you're putting the radiator in place. As long as you have the cardboard in place, you won't need it.
Regards,
Alan
I think it's a good idea to tape a piece of cardboard to each side of the core to protect it while you're putting the radiator in place. As long as you have the cardboard in place, you won't need it.
Regards,
Alan
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
Cardboard or thin paneling. On my '73, I damaged the original radiator getting it out but was replacing it anyway. Used some thin paneling I had around to protect the new one going back in.
No need to pull the hood. I had a lot of trouble getting the fan shroud out. Finally figured out the only options were to either cut the shroud in half or pull it out with the radiator all at once. It ended up not mattering as the shroud was so brittle it ended up in several pieces. No real big deal as I was going with electric fans anyway.
DC
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
another good thing to do is to go to a tool store and buy a small hand transfer pump and get out as much antifreeze as you can before you undo any lines or open the drain on the bottom. It makes for a lot less mess.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I removed the radiator from my 1978 this past August and liked the suggestions above to protect the radiator during removal. I removed with hood on and by myself...not necessarily the smartest move but it can be done. I believe two people with hood off is smarter, easier and serves to protect the radiator. It's suggested that the radiator and radiator support be removed as a single unit...to protect the radiator and this is much easier with hood off.
Having said that, here's what will need to be removed, some of which was referenced above:
Having said that, here's what will need to be removed, some of which was referenced above:
- Air cleaner (you may have cowl induction)
- A.I.R. smog pump (gets it out of the way)
- Radiator hoses, both (drain first as suggested)
- Clutch fan (not necessary but I wanted it out of the way)
- Hood
- Two bolts on botom that secure radiator support to the frame
- Three bolts on each side that connect rad support to body.
- Radiator support rod that stablize rad support to frame (not sure if this was used in 73...but later used it.)