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Dewitt radiator install, tips/tricks?

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Old Jun 7, 2019 | 02:12 PM
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Default Dewitt radiator install, tips/tricks?

I'm embarked to say but this install is getting the best of me. Car is a 96 and I got the radiator with the oil cooler built in and for the life of me cannot get it to sit correctly so I can bolt everything down. All but stripped out half of the upper radiator shroud bolts (along the top). Side I am having the most issues with is the driver side, passenger sees to line right up. Using the spacers between the fan and they are still not lining up, got any ideas to help me out? TIA!
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Old Jun 7, 2019 | 04:31 PM
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I have a 96 with the exact same radiator. First I had to cut the top schroud around the top radiator pipe as it was to close to get the hose back on. Second the longer screws they send are the wrong thread and I had to go to the hardware store to get the correct longer screws to use with the required spacers. Third, those little screws are easier to reinstall if the spring nut is moved to the inside and the screws reinstalled from under the front.
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Old Jun 8, 2019 | 08:29 AM
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I seem to remember that I did something with the little cushions. What, I can't remember, but the 2 core DeWitts fits just fine in my A4 '96.
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Old Jun 8, 2019 | 10:04 AM
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I have trimmed the rubber mounts to make some room as well as trimmed the shroud for clearance on the existing and new oil cooling hoses. The bottom lined up just right, it's just the top that is not wanting to play nice. I'll need to come up with a way to patch the top shroud as the place where the spring nut sits has ripped through. I'll look into new bolts for the top and play with the fitment a little more. Car was also wrecked before I got it and the ac evaporator is a little bent, that could be what's giving me issues as well.
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Old Jun 8, 2019 | 10:49 AM
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I did not have to do any trimming other than possibly the rubber mounts/cushions. I do seem to remember having to straighten out the bottom ones (I seem to remember they had compressed, or twisted from factory installation) and maybe I trimmed those as well.

Last edited by drcook; Jun 8, 2019 at 10:50 AM.
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