More replacement radiator talk...

Dang! A few months ago I bought a 4-core radiator for the V6 and just now I realized it's too dang thick. Fan hits it. Drat!! Need a radiator that fits.

(after searching archives...)For those that run the Fiero or Monza radiators, what were the biggest challenges in mounting it? For the Fiero, how did you reconcile the inlet & outlet hose ports being opposite from each other? Did the top hose interfere w/ getting in the way of the distributor? What about the inner diameter of the radiator hose disparity? Did you have to buy 2 complete sets of hoses of diffo sizes to somehow combine 'em to fit?

 

I use the fiero radiator. Don't remember hoses being an issue. just went in the back of napa and looked for something that would work. Hose diameter was different, as they are much smaller on the radiator than on the engine. Seems like I found some rubber bushings if you will. They go over the outlets on the radiator and step it up one size. Perfect. If that doesn't work take a radiator hose that is the correct sixe for the radiator and cut off two inches and use that. Mine has been that way and not leaked for about 3 yrs now. as far as mounting is concerned, I used two pieces of 1" square tubing and riveted them to the bottom of the radiator support (on the radiator) and then bolted that to the original radiator support on my frame. voila! instant aluminum radiator that cools like crazy and cost me about 40 or 50 bucks all total with hoses, new coolant overflow jug from flaps etc. oh yeah, only other thing I did was to add a small bracket tot he top of the radiator to attach the original radiator support rod to.

 

P.O. put the monza rad in. I can snap pics, but that's about it. Let me know what you need.

 

For my Monza radiator I used a lower hose from a 92' S-10 w/ 4.3 ltr.


Have you thought about using a electric fan?

 

Hmmm, having trouble picturing this. My fabbing skills fall well short of being able to rivet.
Cheapest replacement fiero radiator I've found is $150; a couple in ebay stores for ~$99. Might consider junkyard diving.

Dennis: A pic would be great. perhaps of the upper hose to the intake?

Scott: haven't ruled out an elec. fan. Tips on sources, sizes, & prices? would it operate full-time?

Thanks all!
-Alan

 

Alan, I'll take some pics and get back to you.

 

Ok, but remember...it's mounted to a 350

 

OK, here are some pics.

hard to see great detail, but the bottom mounts, labeled left and right mount in the pictures, are 1"square tubing that just so happen to fit right up in the recess of the bottom of the radiator. I drilled four holes each in the bottom wall of the radiator core support and riveted them to it. Then I welded (I think) bolts through them to go into the original radiator mounts. the top bracket was a small piece of steel we bent just a little and again drilled a couple holes and that attaches to the top radiator support rod that runs to the firewall.

Then there is the pic of the reducers. They are three years old and starting to split, but only on the part taht is exposed and they DON"T leak. The top view shows you how it all fits neatly in my bay. all the wires and junk in the picture are just there as I have my tub off and all the wiring harness that is left is lying on the engine. I used my original L-head fan with the V6 to cool this with no shroud and it was fine.......until the blade came off and ruined my perfect hood paint.


I would keep looking. Go to a junk yard or keep scouring ebay for a vehicle being parted out. I paid 15 bux for mine plus shipping cause nobody else bid on it. HTH
Good luck
Brannon

 

This is two 12" electric fans. It's kind of a fan shroud radiator support. It hold the radiator like the factory GM cars and trucks. On the top and bottom of the tanks I used the factory rubber mounts. The fans run off of a thermal switch screwed into the intake.

http://groups.msn.com/ScottMilliner/scottsjeeppictures.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=53

The radiator fits into the frame work on the two rubber mounts you see on the bottom in this picture. The radiator really shouldn't be mounted on the core. It should be mounted on the tanks. BTW.

http://groups.msn.com/ScottMilliner/scottsjeeppictures.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=40

Here is a picture of that lower radiator hose.

http://groups.msn.com/ScottMilliner/scottsjeeppictures.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=164

 

You guys are GREAT with the pics. Scott I did see the fan pic when I later searched. Wish I had that kind of room from radiator-to-water pump. Each of you have special hose setups.
Thanks again... gives me many viable options.

Some thoughts....
* I have this nice 4-core radiator, man It'd be great to use it. Bolt holes line up, inlet & outlet ports are in stock locations, and mate up w/ hoses that I already have.
*Also I have a pusher fan from a Ford that's oblong & ugly & would have to go in the front of the grill.

*I don't want to chop the grill or radiator mount, nor spend a hundie on a new radiator or new electric fan setup ($$$$). I have zero fab skills, lol (riveting, welding, chopping, etc.) Ideally a genie would suddenly appear and offer to swap out my radiator for a stock replacement, and I'd still have 2 wishes left.

 

What engine you running? Can you shorten the fan spacer? What about getting a shorter water pump? These options may give you a little extra room.

 

Not sure about getting a shorter water pump because I have no idea what that means/involves, but I'm listening.

Sorry about not mentioning engine or providing a pic. 225 V6. Here's a pic:



No spacer. That fan sure is pretty; I'd like to keep it.

Is my water pump shorten-able? :? I vaguely recall reading a thread here about the 225 pump vs. 231 or something. Please advise.



I'm going to remove the fan & bolt up the radiator either tomorrow (after my softball tourney) or Monday. Pic forthcoming.

 

Here she is w/out a fan:

 

How about a thinner fan. Maybe a flex fan?

That looks like my old M38a1 radiator.

 

ive got a b cool radiator on mine and bolted up a highflow aftermarket fan NOT AN ELECTRIC and its got an inch or 2 of clearance because the pitch is different on the blades