Radiator replacement: easiest way?
03-28-2013, 09:43 AM
#2
Three Wheelin'
I think the easiest way it to remove everything from the top. Some people remove the fan assembly through the bottom but I don't know if you can get the radiator out that way.
To pull them form the top I had to remove the coolant crossover pipe, the plastic water pump attachment, the AC belt (to get enough clearance for the electrical connectors on the fans), and also loosen (but not remove) the oil cooler mounting bolts.
Once the radiator is loose you will have to tilt it back and fiddle with it a bit to get it out. The lower hose port might give you some trouble but it will come out - this is where loosening the oil cooler helps.
If you're ordering parts in for this, you might want to include a new fan switch & seal, it's much easier to replace with the radiator out.
Overall it's a pretty easy job though.
To pull them form the top I had to remove the coolant crossover pipe, the plastic water pump attachment, the AC belt (to get enough clearance for the electrical connectors on the fans), and also loosen (but not remove) the oil cooler mounting bolts.
Once the radiator is loose you will have to tilt it back and fiddle with it a bit to get it out. The lower hose port might give you some trouble but it will come out - this is where loosening the oil cooler helps.
If you're ordering parts in for this, you might want to include a new fan switch & seal, it's much easier to replace with the radiator out.
Overall it's a pretty easy job though.
03-28-2013, 12:51 PM
#3
Race Car
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Austin TX, drinking beer in the garage
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easiest way without a doubt is to pull it from the bottom. Disconnect all electrical connections and drain the radiator using the blue drain plug. I usually just pull the lower rad hose when draining and not removing the radiator to prevent the chance of stripping the plug. You will have to disconnect the oil cooler from its brackets and move it out of the way, although you wont have to open the oil lines. Pull the fan assembly out by rotating it past the oil cooler and then tilting it down and out. Then tilt the radiator back the same way and slide it down and toward the rear of the car as you pull it out. You will need to have the car in the air a decent height in order to have enough clearance with the ground to do it this way but its much easier than pulling it from the top, as most things on our cars are. By the way I don't have power steering, so if you do you may have to fiddle with that as well but it still shouldn't be hard.
03-28-2013, 01:28 PM
#4
+1 on pulling it from the bottom.
John,. I realize you are probably cussing me right for not mentioning this earlier. lol
John,. I realize you are probably cussing me right for not mentioning this earlier. lol
03-28-2013, 01:55 PM
#6
Three Wheelin'
It can definitely come out through the top - that's how I did it. It's dead easy too once you remove a few things.
03-28-2013, 02:12 PM
#7
I just removed mine and pulled it from the top. I am doing a timing belt, water pump, seals, etc job so I have everything removed from the front of the motor. It took me less than an hour to get it out. It was fairly easy with everything removed, so it may be easier to remove from the bottom with n the front of the motor intact. Good luck.
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03-28-2013, 02:29 PM
#8
Nordschleife Master
I found the easiest way is to use a sawzall and cut off any metal attached to the frame. The radiator literally falls out...along with the headlight buckets, AC condenser, horns..etc.
Then order a 951 front clip from lart, and reweld all those pieces onto your frame. Yes, it takes several days, and some measuring... but the radiator came right out.
Then order a 951 front clip from lart, and reweld all those pieces onto your frame. Yes, it takes several days, and some measuring... but the radiator came right out.
03-28-2013, 02:39 PM
#9
I found the easiest way is to use a sawzall and cut off any metal attached to the frame. The radiator literally falls out...along with the headlight buckets, AC condenser, horns..etc.
Then order a 951 front clip from lart, and reweld all those pieces onto your frame. Yes, it takes several days, and some measuring... but the radiator came right out.
Then order a 951 front clip from lart, and reweld all those pieces onto your frame. Yes, it takes several days, and some measuring... but the radiator came right out.
