shopping for a radiator

[Frumious B.]

I need a new radiator. Someone suggested that I buy a larger radiator meant for a larger engine, given the heat down in these parts. This doesn't sound like a bad idea- is it? Are the 5.0 radiators really larger? Will one fit in my car (93 LX 2.3)?

The mechanic estimated about 3.5 hours to change this thing. Does that sound right? It doesn't sound like a hard job. It would take me all week, but for a pro, 3.5 hours sounds like a lot.

Thanks

 

[ka0tyk]

stock 2.3's without AC come with a single row radiator

stock 2.3's with AC come with a 2 row radiator

all 5.0's come with a 2 row radiator

all 3 row radiators are aftermarket... no production 5.0 came with a 3 row radiator...

I have a 3 row radiator (also referred to by pepboys/autozone as the "heavy duty" model) and I have no cooling issues... there is no such thing as "too big of a radiator... the thermostat's job is to open and close at 180 degree's... the motor will never ever be "too cold" in a closed system. it will either be 180 degree's or higher.

i like my 3 row... it holds more fluid, and gives me peace of mind... I think I got mine for like $140... the only little problem installing it is just opening up the brackets that hold the top a little for the added width of the radiator...

 

[Lex]

Radiator isn't THAT hard to replace. 3.5 hrs is a bit much I think. Try getting a second opinion first .

 

[140cilx]

It seriously is about an hour job taking your time, adding new coolant after flushing the system if you need. Drain radiator once cool, remove upper and lower hose, remove radiator mounts on the top, remove little overflow hose. Lift out. Reinstall is reverse. I'd put a new radiator cap on as well.

http://www.radiator.com/index.php? <-very cheap source I've been pleased with in the past. Might want to check it out. I'd get a 3 core as well. The stock replacement works, and like said was used in the 5.0, but it's a skinny little sucker.

 

[freakintiger]

I've got the new Summit all-aluminum 2 row Mustang rad(#SUM-380451). I installed it a month and a half ago. I had to make some minor mods to get it in(gonna make custom brackets out of aluminum bar stock soon), but it keeps my engine coooool, even sitting in traffic(I'm in Virginia Beach, VA) . Might get a Black Magic fan to back it up, still got to install a 180 thermostat. It's a monster radiator and looks coooool!

 

[Frumious B.]

Lemme 'splain something: I have no place to work, no one to help me, and no second vehicle in case I need something in the middle. I won't be doing this myself. That means I have to buy an exact fit, or they will charge me even more to install it.

The installation quote he gave me was $130. For a 3 hour job, I didn't think that was a bad labor rate at all, although I was a little surprised at the amount of time. I asked someone I work with, who does a lot of car work, and he said it probably would take 3 hours. But that's from a home mechanic viewpoint. I still don't see a pro taking that long.

There is one other place that hasn't screwed me yet, I can call tomorrow and get a quote from them.

Does anyone have an opinion on the various brands sold at the major parts stores? Someone told me to avoid GDI parts (Autozone). Multiple stores carried Transpro, and O'Reilly had an ACDelco part- I might feel a little disloyal putting one of those in

Thanks again.

 

[Frumious B.]

http://www.radiator.com/index.php? <-very cheap source I've been pleased with in the past. Might want to check it out. I'd get a 3 core as well. The stock replacement works, and like said was used in the 5.0, but it's a skinny little sucker.

I called these guys, they quoted me $98 for a Visteon after-market radiator, plus $7 shipping, which puts them at the uncompetitive end of the local price variations. On the other hand, they'll call me tomorrow with a labor quote, so we'll see if they can beat $130.

 

[ka0tyk]

i got mine from pepboys...

i understand you not being comfortable with working on your car... but this is literally an unbolt, remove, put in new, rebolt kind of job... you're never going to learn, if you never TRY. the hoses come off with hose clamps...the old fan unbolts with a 10mm wrench, and the top radiator supports come off with either a 10mm or 13mm... if you have an automatic all you need to do is remove the 2 tranny fluid lines from the drivers side of the radiator... then put the new one in, reattach the lines and hoses, put the fan back on... fill it up with fluid... start the car and let it run till it gets warm, and then check the fluid level again... if anything, get 2 new hoses for the radiator while you're at it in case your current ones are old...

 

[freakintiger]

Sorry to throw you. I can change out a radiator(stock style to stock style) in just over an hour and I'm just a gearhead with some skills and good tools, not a seasoned mechanic. Would your coworker help you? I mean even if you paid him, you'd probably save a lot over a garage, otherwise you are at their mercy( thats why I wrench on my own car). I bought an Autozone radiator for a Crown Vic at Autozone once and it lasted through two Crown Vics, if it would have fit in my Stang I'd have put it in there too, when that radiator went. Are you going to mechanics or radiator shops for your quotes?

 

[Asha'man]

I thought radiator.com had free or reasonable overnight shipping, so you could get it done ASAP?

Seriously, though, wherever you get your new rad, do try to put it in yourself. Ask your coworker to help or something; anything to get you the knowledge and confidence you need for the future. Even if it takes the two of you a couple of hours, you'll have learned a lot about how your car works up there, even just looking at other unrelated stuff, and you'll know that the job was done right and some shmuck wasn't messing with your car. Plus you save money - what's not to like?

Ash

 

[beaver2489]

3hours for a radiator replacement?!??! LOL they either tried to get your money, or dont know mustangs... I'm about to replace my radiator too (stock 150,000mi radiator), after I put the rebuilt motor in I've had a heat problem. Its either I have a big air pocket or my radiator clogged. I'm just going to autozone and getting a 2row stocker for $83.99.....I'm short on money and it will still cool way better than what I have now. Good luck, and get a second opinion on the 3hr labor thing

 

[Lex]

i got mine from pepboys...

i understand you not being comfortable with working on your car... but this is literally an unbolt, remove, put in new, rebolt kind of job... you're never going to learn, if you never TRY. the hoses come off with hose clamps...the old fan unbolts with a 10mm wrench, and the top radiator supports come off with either a 10mm or 13mm... if you have an automatic all you need to do is remove the 2 tranny fluid lines from the drivers side of the radiator... then put the new one in, reattach the lines and hoses, put the fan back on... fill it up with fluid... start the car and let it run till it gets warm, and then check the fluid level again... if anything, get 2 new hoses for the radiator while you're at it in case your current ones are old...

^ ^ ^ ^
| | | | |

Print that off and bring it with you to your hood of your car and save the 130 bucks. The fins on mine are gone so ME TOO have to replace the rad before the hot summer weather comes and I'm doing it my self too. You don't need a floor jack , or hoist. Everything can be done right there on the ground. Simple. Do make sure you drain the fluid first. I know that sounds patronizing but I seen people forget that and well... you can guess what happed . This is an easy job. You could put the 130 to another mod, or buy a few 24's (beer heehee)

 

[Frumious B.]

It's not that I am uncomfortable working on my car. I do work on it; I do my own tune ups. But that's relatively quick and easy and, more importantly, it's stuff I can do without being busted by the apartment management. They don't allow people to work on their cars in the parking lot. I have a friend in Austin who lets me use his driveway, but I'm not so sure I should drive to Austin with a bad radiator (I'm in Dallas). Plus they are moving to Michigan next week, which sucks.

And yeah, radiator.com charges shipping. $7. I'm not sure why I'm nickel and diming on the shipping fee when I am willing to pay labor, but oh well, consistancy is highly over rated.

 

[Lex]

Didn't know about the apartment problem