Just picked up a Modine Aluminum Radiator to replace the leaky one in my '92 Firebird. I called a couple shops, but every place wants $300+ or can't look at it until after Easter, so I'm gonna try to pop it in myself. It looks pretty straightforward, but are there any special tools I'll need, or anything that's a particular pain in the *** I should be aware of? I know it has a tranny cooler line....is this easy to hook up? Does it just thread in or something? Also, what kind of water should I mix the coolant with? I've heard tap water is harder and has more contaminants and sediment, so it's a good idea to use bottled. Is spring water ok, or is there an advantage to using distilled? Thanks for any tips that'll make this go as smooth as possible.

 

If you have an automatic then you will have the tranny lines, but other than that just the two larger radiator hoses & one to the overflow bottle. Unbolt the fan & the top cover & yank it out.

As for mixing, 50/50 is the recommended, & I've heard the same thing about distilled or ionized water slowing or preventing the crud buildup, but I'm not real sure.

I do use the distilled water on batteries that still need it added.

For antifreeze, you might consider the pre mixed, as where I'm at it is cheaper than the regular stuff.

 

Ok, as far as those tranny lines, they appear to be steel and there is a small nut where it connects to the radiator. Do you just put an open-end wrench over it to loosen the nut, and then the line slides right out? You can't/wouldn't twist the actual line to get it off right? How much time would you say should be budgeted for the job? I'm working like a **** all week so I'm hoping I can squeeze it in after work tonight but I won't be left with more than an hour or so of daylight. As far as that pre-mixed antifreeze....that stuff is a rip-off around here. Every place I buy fluids (Advanced, AZone, Wal-Mart) charges an extra buck a gallon for the diluted stuff. As if they are doing you a huge service by giving you half as much antifreeze and filling the rest of the jug with water

 

I believe you just use the open ended wrench to turn the nut, watching closely so that line itself does not turn.

Comparable to the metal fuel line that runs into some carbs & you just turn the outside nut & trying not to twist the fuel line.

I checked this morning & the Walmart brand is called "SuperTech" & also uses distilled water for the mix.


Almost forgot about time. I don't know about you, but I usually have to budget twice as much time as it should take, since I either forget something, & have to backtrack, or something breaks, unexpectedly.

Another good reason I try to work on my little projects when the stores are open.

 

thats cause only 50% of it is antifreeze so i would hope its cheaper then a whole gallon of antifreeze

 

Yeah but like I said above, it's not. Check next time you're in the auto parts store or the automotove section of Wal-Mart or Target. The 50/50 stuff is usually $1 more than straight coolant....

 

I bought 4 gallons of the stuff & it was $3.43 each & the regular was up around 5 or 5.50. This is the cheaper generic SuperTech brand.