Radiator remove

I'm going to refer to my shop manual for this but, just a general question. After I remove the hood and fan shroud. Is it really that much of a PTA to take out. I know it's in there at quite an angle. I'm not really sure if it's my rad or not. I went to drive it this morning and I found a puddle of coolent on the floor. It seems to be dripping from further back than the rad itself so I might be a lower hose or maybe the leak is from the rad and traveling along something before falling to the floor. It was 5:00 am so I didn't have a chance to really look at it.I'm asking about the removel because that is usually how my luck runs. Thanks.

Hi Mike. Maybe the water pump? If you can't locate the exact point of the leak with the engine running, have it pressurized at the local shop. If it is the radiator and you want to handle it yourself, it's not that big of a deal to remove. Disconnect the shroud and slide it back over the fan. Disconnect the hoses and all the goodies atop the radiator ( if it's an automatic remove the oil cooler lines) and it will slide up and out ( its easier w/two people). There are 2 different radiators available for our cars. I upgraded to the 4 row and had to order new rubber mounts, but ,no big deal. aceinthehole2007-09-10 08:51:44

Ok, Thannks. I've got an 82CE with what I beleive is the orginal rad.I'll look when I get home and see if it might be the water pump(God forbid) It hasn't been making any noise. I'll do the check and see if the bearing is going bad. Like I said eairler, right now I'm just stabbing in the dark because I haven't had a chance to even pop the hood yet. A bad lower rad hose would be nice If it is the rad. I'm not sure how I'm going to deal with it yet. Could take it to the rad. shop and have it fixed if possiable, if not then I guess I'll go shopping. I really don't want to deal with a water pump. I've changed my share in my life but not on a vette. Old Camaros Gto's Novas stuff like that.zgator2007-09-10 11:31:26

Not sure about the later C3's, but the radiators on earlier c3's aren't bad to get out.

The water pump on a SB isn't all that tough either.  Pretty accessible.

If you decide to remove the radiator, it's a good idea to cut a piece of cardboard to put over the inboard fins and tubes.  Just tape it in place. In the event you hit the fan or shroud, while lifting the radiator out, it will prevent further damage. I would certainly look at the hoses and water pump weep hole before removing the radiator. Good luck.

 

Scott ranger32007-09-10 19:32:29

[QUOTE=ranger3]If you decide to remove the radiator, it's a good idea to cut a piece of cardboard to put over the inboard fins and tubes.  Just tape it in place. In the event you hit the fan or shroud, while lifting the radiator out, it will prevent further damage. I would certainly look at the hoses and water pump weeo hole before removing the radiator. Good luck.

 

Scott [/QUOTE] Great idea ranger3.I do have one ?.The water pump weeo. What is that. Is that some kind of check for leakage?

Imma thinking he meant "weep hole".
On the bottom side of the pump, just behind where the pully is, there is a hole there. It is there to allow coolant to leak out if the inner seal takes a dump. At least, that's what we use it for! In reality, it is there to allow air to get in between the two seals, so there is no suction created as the shaft turns, there-by causing early seal failure.

I would recommend removing the fan before removing the radiator. Just makes it a bit easier to work around, and move the shroud out of the way.

I'm with Joel, 'cause that's how I did it

 ...did this a few months back and put in the SPAL's and the DeWitts radiator...best things I've done since the engine swap..

Thanks Joel...I corrected the typo.

Scott