and you can also take your radiator to a part store and "test fit" the plug.
Radiator drain plug
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Ballston Spa New York
Radiator drain plug
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/dfcomrz45av12cu/AACDw5oRksrFVQwx-W3g-R8fa
My son said the coolant in his 84 overheated. So this morning I went to figure out what the problem is this time. I looked in the radiator and didn't see any coolant so I poured some water in to see if only a little coolant was missing or a lot. The water poured right out the bottom. So I took a look and found this hole in the bottom. I took a look and found a radiator drain plug at NAPA which is supposed to be compatible with the 84. Problem is that it doesn't fit into the hole with that suspension rod in the way. This is on the passenger side of the radiator. I looked at the original owners documentation and didn't see anything about the radiator being replaced. Any ideas here?
My son said the coolant in his 84 overheated. So this morning I went to figure out what the problem is this time. I looked in the radiator and didn't see any coolant so I poured some water in to see if only a little coolant was missing or a lot. The water poured right out the bottom. So I took a look and found this hole in the bottom. I took a look and found a radiator drain plug at NAPA which is supposed to be compatible with the 84. Problem is that it doesn't fit into the hole with that suspension rod in the way. This is on the passenger side of the radiator. I looked at the original owners documentation and didn't see anything about the radiator being replaced. Any ideas here?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,786
Likes: 425
From: North Georgia, USA
Foggy memories here, but I'll share what I remember.
The "plug" goes in from the back of the radiator. I'm pretty sure the shroud has to come off to fully remove and replace the plug in the stock radiator in that one. I remember this job as being much more of a PITA than it should be.
And if that's not a big enough issue, I'd be very concerned as to why it came out. They don't usually just "fall out." I think you might have bigger issues, perhaps much bigger issues.
How far was it driven "overheating?" Did the overheating push the plug out? That's far more likely than the plug just falling out and causing the overheating. If it was overheating before the plug came out, why was it overheating? Did the overheating cause other issues?
The "plug" goes in from the back of the radiator. I'm pretty sure the shroud has to come off to fully remove and replace the plug in the stock radiator in that one. I remember this job as being much more of a PITA than it should be.
And if that's not a big enough issue, I'd be very concerned as to why it came out. They don't usually just "fall out." I think you might have bigger issues, perhaps much bigger issues.
How far was it driven "overheating?" Did the overheating push the plug out? That's far more likely than the plug just falling out and causing the overheating. If it was overheating before the plug came out, why was it overheating? Did the overheating cause other issues?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,786
Likes: 425
From: North Georgia, USA
Following on to this line of commentary.
If the plug "fell out" because the rubber seal on it deteriorated, then the rubber seals where the aluminum core is crimped onto the plastic tanks aren't far behind.
As much work as it is to get in there, a replacement radiator is about the same job.
Aftermarket radiators for that car are $70-$85 for plastic tanks on aluminum cores, and $175 and up for all aluminum ones that will pretty much last "the life of the car" with proper maintenance (flushing/changing the coolant at appropriate intervals).
Do you want to have to do the job twice?
If the plug "fell out" because the rubber seal on it deteriorated, then the rubber seals where the aluminum core is crimped onto the plastic tanks aren't far behind.
As much work as it is to get in there, a replacement radiator is about the same job.
Aftermarket radiators for that car are $70-$85 for plastic tanks on aluminum cores, and $175 and up for all aluminum ones that will pretty much last "the life of the car" with proper maintenance (flushing/changing the coolant at appropriate intervals).
Do you want to have to do the job twice?
Last edited by C6_Racer_X; Jul 29, 2017 at 01:42 PM.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Ballston Spa New York
Guys, that is for the replies. Turns out there's an open drain hole between the radiator and condenser in the lower shroud. I mistook it for the rad drain hole.
I took the top radiator shroud off and the radiator is filled with dogwood fluff and the bottom inch is leaves. I'm pretty sure this is what led to the overheat.
I took the top radiator shroud off and the radiator is filled with dogwood fluff and the bottom inch is leaves. I'm pretty sure this is what led to the overheat.