82 Radiator Seal Installation Help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
82 Radiator Seal Installation Help
All,
I'm trying to get an 82' core support and radiator installed in my 69' Coupe (for an EFI conversion).
I have the core support installed and I have new radiator seals but I do not know how these are supposed to attach for an 82.
There are 2 long seals and 2 short seals that came in the kit.
Does anyone either have a picture of an 82' with the radiator seal locations or perhaps a page from the 82' AIM that shows the correct placement?
Any information would be most appreciated.
Thank you!
Elm
I'm trying to get an 82' core support and radiator installed in my 69' Coupe (for an EFI conversion).
I have the core support installed and I have new radiator seals but I do not know how these are supposed to attach for an 82.
There are 2 long seals and 2 short seals that came in the kit.
Does anyone either have a picture of an 82' with the radiator seal locations or perhaps a page from the 82' AIM that shows the correct placement?
Any information would be most appreciated.
Thank you!
Elm
Last edited by ezobens; Mar 31, 2018 at 10:48 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
All,
I'm trying to get an 82' core support and radiator installed in my 69' Coupe (for an EFI conversion).
I have the core support installed and I have new radiator seals but I do not know how these are supposed to attach for an 82.
There are 2 long seals and 2 short seals that came in the kit.
Does anyone either have a picture of an 82' with the radiator seal locations or perhaps a page from the 82' AIM that shows the correct placement?
Any information would be most appreciated.
Thank you!
Elm
I'm trying to get an 82' core support and radiator installed in my 69' Coupe (for an EFI conversion).
I have the core support installed and I have new radiator seals but I do not know how these are supposed to attach for an 82.
There are 2 long seals and 2 short seals that came in the kit.
Does anyone either have a picture of an 82' with the radiator seal locations or perhaps a page from the 82' AIM that shows the correct placement?
Any information would be most appreciated.
Thank you!
Elm
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
My radiator seals are long gone but I've never felt the need for them. Therefore I've never thought about where they are installed or what their purpose is. I always assumed they were there to ensure that all of the air being pulled by the fan finds its way through the radiator which says to me that they would be between the rad and the shroud. From the diagrams here though, it appears they go between the rad and the rad support. What is the purpose of that?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
My radiator seals are long gone but I've never felt the need for them. Therefore I've never thought about where they are installed or what their purpose is. I always assumed they were there to ensure that all of the air being pulled by the fan finds its way through the radiator which says to me that they would be between the rad and the shroud. From the diagrams here though, it appears they go between the rad and the rad support. What is the purpose of that?
I know many people who do not care to put them in. Many of them do not have a heating issue ...whether it is at idle or going down the road. While others do have a problem.
But all of the components GM installed to provide the most air getting through the radiator were put there for a reason.
Now if you live in a cold climate...then it may not matter...but if you live in a hot climate... TRUST ME..all of the components GM installed...if installed... can help.
DUB
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Seals too thick?
OK, so I installed the new radiator seals per the AIM but how am I supposed to get the radiator in with the seals so thick?
The seals were from Dr. Rebuild so they should be correct but I don't see how I can wedge the radiator in place without collapsing the tanks (aluminum Radiator).
If you look at the attached photos, you will see how thick the side seals are in relation to the bottom cushions. These seals would need to be compressed quite a bit to get the radiator in.
Is there some sort of 'trick' to getting these in or do I need to cut these seals thinner?
Any advice would be most appreciated.
Thank you,
Elm
The seals were from Dr. Rebuild so they should be correct but I don't see how I can wedge the radiator in place without collapsing the tanks (aluminum Radiator).
If you look at the attached photos, you will see how thick the side seals are in relation to the bottom cushions. These seals would need to be compressed quite a bit to get the radiator in.
Is there some sort of 'trick' to getting these in or do I need to cut these seals thinner?
Any advice would be most appreciated.
Thank you,
Elm
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
It is hard to tell...but I think the vertical ones are not in the correct place and turned 90 degrees.
I do not use Dr. Rebuild seals so I do not know much about them and I can not tell if you had to apply your own adhesive or if these seals have an adhesive strip on them.
I would be more concerned that the aftermarket aluminum radiator will fit correctly and THEN deal with the modification to these foam seals.
DUB
I do not use Dr. Rebuild seals so I do not know much about them and I can not tell if you had to apply your own adhesive or if these seals have an adhesive strip on them.
I would be more concerned that the aftermarket aluminum radiator will fit correctly and THEN deal with the modification to these foam seals.
DUB
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
It is hard to tell...but I think the vertical ones are not in the correct place and turned 90 degrees.
I do not use Dr. Rebuild seals so I do not know much about them and I can not tell if you had to apply your own adhesive or if these seals have an adhesive strip on them.
I would be more concerned that the aftermarket aluminum radiator will fit correctly and THEN deal with the modification to these foam seals.
DUB
I do not use Dr. Rebuild seals so I do not know much about them and I can not tell if you had to apply your own adhesive or if these seals have an adhesive strip on them.
I would be more concerned that the aftermarket aluminum radiator will fit correctly and THEN deal with the modification to these foam seals.
DUB
The seals on the other hand....
They come with the self-stick adhesive already in place so there really is no option to install them on the wrong edge.
Looks like I’ll be removing the core support and trial fit everything on the bench. Who would have though some foam strips could be such a big pain in my backside..
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
There are cuts in the seals that allow the seals to curve at the top to conform with the core support. Those are all in the correct locations.
It's the thickness of the material itself that seems to be off.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Then if all is as you say it is....I would cut the new seals to the width I need...especially if the tanks on the new aluminum radiator are different than the factory radiator.
From what I know about these seals they seem to not be correct as previously mentioned. And I know that have been cut so they can bend as you stated...but that does not mean that they were messed up from the start and they were made incorrectly.
I would not loose a second of sleep over this....I would cut them to the needed width and move on....only because I have had to do just that in the past. These seals are seeming to fall into my "95% rule" category.
DUB
From what I know about these seals they seem to not be correct as previously mentioned. And I know that have been cut so they can bend as you stated...but that does not mean that they were messed up from the start and they were made incorrectly.
I would not loose a second of sleep over this....I would cut them to the needed width and move on....only because I have had to do just that in the past. These seals are seeming to fall into my "95% rule" category.
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 29
From: Texas
No seals installed when I put a new generic aluminum radiator in a year or more ago. Maintains spec temp in HOT Houston heat without them. Maybe I am one of the lucky ones that do not need the seals. Not going to take the radiator out to add seals that are not needed. Thought about buying some pipe insulation from Lowes/Home Depot and feeding it down the sides. Not done yet.