Cadillac CTS-V - Replacing radiator- HELP

Gentlemen,

I'm in process of replacing the radiator. Currently, I'm removing the plastic retainers that connect the rubber side seal to both the radiator and the inside of the car. I didn't expect this as it wasn't in the instructions I read online. What a PITA!

My main question is, should I put the new side seal back in? Is it really necessary? Does it direct air to the radiator or something? I didn't see any mention of side seals in the alradco writeups, or any other writeup for that matter. Here are pics. First one is the stock replacement, second pic is a view of the side seal from inside the car.

http://i.imgur.com/Knzxu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4meFT.jpg

Thanks!

That's weird, when I pulled my radiator out, I saw nothing like that attached to it... It was fastened in the car.

Mine had those on there when I replaced it. I just took the new pieces off and reused the old ones. They're for ducting air to the rad and sealing off the sides. I'd install them before the rad then clip them to the sides once the rad is in though if you do it.

RADEoN you should have those on the car, they duct the air as Larimer mentioned. A HUGE PITA to reinstall while the radiator is installed, I would highly recommend installing it while the rad is out of the car. I don't know if they are effective or not, but since GM put the time to add them I reinstalled them as well.

You must be a very patient man. On the advice of darkman on the caddyforum, I left it all out.