I'm trying to save some money by replacing the radiator myself in my IROC. I know I gotta deal with the fans and oil cooler lines and top and bottom hoses. That it? Any advice for a novice doing this job the first time?

 

Just take your time & really evaluate everything before diving in. Anything that looks intimidating to do really isn't that bad if you take the time to look at everything you have to take off. It is a fairly straightfoward job & you shouldn't have any problems. Good luck.

 

IIRC the transmission had lines running to the radiator, on the side were the cap is. Am I correct? I see the overflow line, heater, bottom hose and two other lines, one below the heater line and one below the bottom hose. Are these two lines the oil cooler or transmission lines? I'm sure my 87 IROC has an oil cooler.

 

Here you go

 

another

 

Yep, its a very straightforward job.

1. Remove fan
2. undo the trans lines and wrap a rag around them so they don't leak all over.
3. Put a clean container under the lower radiator hose (has to hold at least a couple gallons)
4. Loosen and remove lower radiator hose from radiator, and let coolant drain into pan.
5. Remove upper hose, heater valve hose, and catch can line.
6. Should pop right out
7. Installation is reverse of removal

Remember to reinstall the rubber bumpers exactly where they came from. Those keep the radiator from rubbing a hole in itself

Might as well pick up a few gallons of antifreeze and flush the coolant system while you're at it.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the info, especially the pictures ace, they helped. Got the job done today. I ordered a radiator from radiator.com for $149 shipped FedEx next day. The new one had metal instead of plastic tanks (on the original) but was 'Made in China'. Hope it holds up. The dual fans came out as a unit with just two bolts on the bottom and the four on top.

Also replaced my secondary fan switch, and flushed and filled. Ready for summer. No biggie.

 

Glad everything worked out.