so i was coming home after just installing a new hooker muffler, and earlier this morning i installed a new alternator and battery. car was running fine, alittle exhaust noise coming from the headers. but whatever the muffler shop said i needed a new exhaust manifold gasket and it made sense since i was suspicious of it for a while, so about 2 blocks away from my house ****ing water vapor comes out from under the hood and goes everywhere huge stacks of smoke. i get home open up the hood, the radiator has a crack in it and is leaking all over the passenger side of the car. i was wondering what could have caused it, the car was running good and still runs good except for the fact that the coolant is leaking. all the hoses are fine. could it be i overtightened the alternator belt?

the rad. was rather dirty and had abuncha calcium spots on it, really shitty. but had been running good for a while, i had the radiator full to the top. but the reservoir was rather empty

 

Well, i sell radiators. If you have calcium spots, it was filled with tap water which is no good. I don't believe the alt belt or headers had anything to do with it. Just go ahead and replace the radiator, t-stat, hoses, and cap. Get you 2 gallons of straight antifreeze, and 2 gallons of DISTILLED water from you local food store. drain ALL the coolant out of the motor. Pull the drain plug on the side of the block. Fill the system with the new coolant and the distilled water, and you should not have any more problems for a long time. If you buy the 50/50 mix from most places, it is still mixed with tap water. do not use that. If you have a Performance Radiator in your town, come see us. I am running the stock replacement we sell, part #951, and my car never goes above 190* sitting in traffic. I am running a 160* t-stat cause i have a big bore. Hope this helps. Thanks Jack.

 

if i get a new radiator should the fan be able to attach to it ?

 

if you buy a factory replacement radiator yes.

 

Well even if for some odd reason you didnt but a direct replacment your fans should still mount up being your fanshroud holds the radiator in place.

 

I was revering to if he bought something that wasn't factory size and would than need a custom shroud and such.