JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

I'm swapping mine hopefully before next Sunday and I'm looking for any writeup which may be available because I've never worked with the radiator. This will be done in the driveway. What order to remove/reinstall things, tricks to minimize additional work, etc, etc. A quick search didn't reveal anything in the first few pages.

I know I need to cut off two tabs on the bottom of the LT1 radiator, and plug the DS heater core tube. I'm just running distilled water & 2 bottles of water wetter; how many gallons of water do I need for the LT1 solution?

Thanks!

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

2 tabs? what 2 tabs? .......i initially put a plug in the coolant level sensor hole.......it came out and left me stranded....put a LT1 coolant level sensor in....those things are not cheap!!! but it has not come out again.....did the hose and petcock mod for the other lower bung......now i wish i had just plugged that port up.......the swap is so simple.......a caveman could do it

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

Since I have a '98, I have the coolant level sensor and I plan to use it. See this link for references to the 'tabs':

http://www.camarozone.com/forum/f18/...upgrade-69803/

So just take the air intake stuff off, take off the upper radiator support, drain the water, remove the hoses, then what? Disconnect battery for fans? Pull the old one up and sideways? Anything special to remove the fans, or to remove the condenser without removing it from the AC system, etc?

This was my planned parts list for the overhaul, does the new radiator already include any of this stuff? Is it a good idea to flush the radiator before installing it?

GM Radiator 52466004 $212.06
Goodyear lower hose 62426 $21.69
Goodyear upper hose 62249 $12.99
GM radiator cap 10402081 $8.00
GM Petcock valve 52461346 $3.00
GM radiator insulator RH 10188023 $5.00
GM radiator insulator LH 10278679 $5.00
GM coolant level indicator 10096163 $45.00
6" long heater hose, 5/8" and 3/4", get both because unsure of size
(2) Raydyot 5/16 to 7/8 in. clamp @$2
Matching brass pipe plug kit $7

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

If I were you, do what I did...((if you have a tranny cooler in the radiator of course)...take the new radiator to a radiator shop and have them remove the worthless tranny cooler inside the passengers side black plastic tank and have them plug the holes. Its just a massive headache for the future when those gaskets start to leak coolant. It happened to me.

Then get an aftermarket tranny cooler, which takes 20 minutes to install and about $40.00.

.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

i got my rad at pep boys for 100$

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

Eh, I'm concerned about the quality of brands found in parts stores. Are they going to last me another 10 years like my original did? This is also the first I've read of the included tranny cooler. I'm not excited about the extra cost & delay to remove it.... is this commonly done? Can you simply cap those fittings or do you need to seal them? What's the new total coolant capacity with this unit?

I think in the interest of time I'll re-use as much as I can of what I have. Looks like PepBoys/AutoZone both sell the Spectre/Spectra line, which I've not read good things about. Advance has Ready-Rad & Delphi. NAPA has APDI and their own brand.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

mine has been rock steady for about 2 yrs now......i would recommend it

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

So can I leave the passenger side as-is and just connect the LS1 hoses, or do I need to block off something on the passenger side also? Do you have the part number and can you confirm the core thickness?

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

the pass side needs the coolant sensor hole plugged.....and the LT1 rad is much thicker than the LS1 rad.....i am sure the search function will get you the exact thickness.....but the thickness does NOT interfere with anything

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

The PS level sensor doesn't need to be plugged for me unless I choose to remove (which I'm not) that feature from my '98 model. I'm referring to the tranny cooler fittings on the PS which LS6427 referred to above. If I don't want to deal with having the tranny cooler removed then I don't need to do anything special with those fittings... just leave it as-received in the box?

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

the tranny cooler is fine if not used

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

You can cap them or not...whatever you want. Tranny cooler is a closed system, has no contact with coolant.

.

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

Got it swapped and so far so good. The most irritating part was trying to get the LS2 thermostat hose clamp back on with channel locks. I just capped the heater hose outlet on the DS.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Oh dude....get rid of those bullshit GM clamps.....put regular clamps on with a philips screwdriver.

.

azvette89

I have a 99 c5, will the 97 camaro radiator work better for me? Or does the swap only apply for trans am's and camaros? Also, are the fan motors better on the 97 camaro too than the ones on my car or are they the same? I'm asking because I'm about to buy a new radiator and fans for the car

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

Haha, that would have been useful ahead of time Some combination of my locally rebuilt alternator and the new radiator sure has helped my A/C, too.

joecar

Those OEM spring clamps have a purpose (constant pressure on the hose) and are actually quite good (and are better than screw clamps which will be either too tight or too loose)...

yes, they are a bitch to get on/off if you don't have the right tool (spring clamp cable tool).

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

Ack, it appears the DS heater hose outlet is leaking. I think I have a vacuum cap with a screw clamp on it. Is there a more reliable solution?

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

You mean Drivers Side outlet.....one of the metal ports coming out of the water pump..?

If that's what you're talking about and you don't use the heater core.......you need this. Cut to fit with a razor knife and it fits like a factory piece.
I carry one with me at all times in case my heater core of heater hoses spring a leak. Quick fix and keep driving.

Check local parts places, they might have it in stock.

http://www.rockauto.com/m/mobilecata...3-87629-470664

.