Drop in and go my a**
05-20-2017, 10:22 PM
#1
Drop in and go my a**
I finally decided to put in the Be Cool radiator that I bought a while ago. Well it is a tight fit more so than the copper/brass unit I'm replacing for this. I have to move some of the power steering lines, and the Be Cool is a bit wider so I hope the fans will fit.
And this is where I messed up. My car is an automatic and Be Cool included these brass fittings that go on first. Guess what I did. Yup, I sure did. I over tightened the lower one now I have a slow fluid leak at the fitting as I stripped it a hair. So now, drain the radiator, take it out, and find a shop that will weld on the lower and upper brass fittings. Then.....?
To be continued.
And this is where I messed up. My car is an automatic and Be Cool included these brass fittings that go on first. Guess what I did. Yup, I sure did. I over tightened the lower one now I have a slow fluid leak at the fitting as I stripped it a hair. So now, drain the radiator, take it out, and find a shop that will weld on the lower and upper brass fittings. Then.....?
To be continued.
05-21-2017, 10:38 AM
#2
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Car: 1987 Trans Am
Re: Drop in and go my a**
That sucks. I feel your pain in a different way this weekend. Doing a front brake job on my daily, I listened to the "back seat mechanic" who warned me not to overtighten the caliper abutment bracket bolts. You guessed it, a bolt backed out and was lost and I had a loose caliper. $9 bolt from the stealership and I made sure to torque them all down this time.
05-23-2017, 08:37 PM
#3
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Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: Drop in and go my a**
MY87LT,
If your radiator is to thick you might need to add an extension on the top.
This is what I did and I think it looks good.
Pretty simple to do.
All I did was add the extension in front of the stock radiator cover.
Its the black plastic tucked under it with the chrome screws.
Everything still fits perfect,like the part that the top hose rests on.
Or something similar.
Just a thought.
If your radiator is to thick you might need to add an extension on the top.
This is what I did and I think it looks good.
Pretty simple to do.
All I did was add the extension in front of the stock radiator cover.
Its the black plastic tucked under it with the chrome screws.
Everything still fits perfect,like the part that the top hose rests on.
Or something similar.
Just a thought.
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 05-23-2017 at 08:56 PM.
05-23-2017, 09:29 PM
#4
Re: Drop in and go my a**
I got the metal extension from Be Cool when I ordered the radiator. I found a shop locally that I trust enough to have the fittings welded on. While the radiator is out, I need to bend the power steering cooler lines a bit so that the radiator can be moved a bit to line up with the existing lower rubber mounts and upper holes.
I did test fit the fans and of course, I'm going to have to shim the lower mounts as not to have the fans rub up against the radiator. Other than those things I mentioned, it should be fine.
I did test fit the fans and of course, I'm going to have to shim the lower mounts as not to have the fans rub up against the radiator. Other than those things I mentioned, it should be fine.
05-23-2017, 11:44 PM
#5
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Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: Drop in and go my a**
Document with photos please.
I would like to see them.
I would like to see them.
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06-02-2017, 10:54 PM
#8
Re: Drop in and go my a**
According to the radiator shop I went to, he couldn't and told me I wont be able to find anyone to weld the brass fitting to the aluminum that I stripped and pretty much told me I have a $600+ piece of junk now unless I find replacement fittings that are aluminum and then find a TIG welder to do the job.
So I re-installed my copper/brass radiator and calling it a day until I find aluminum fittings to replace the brass ones. Talk about having a crappy day. But on the bright side, I didn't know Ruby's Diner's served breakfast and drowned my sorrows with an omelette and hot cakes. LOL
So I re-installed my copper/brass radiator and calling it a day until I find aluminum fittings to replace the brass ones. Talk about having a crappy day. But on the bright side, I didn't know Ruby's Diner's served breakfast and drowned my sorrows with an omelette and hot cakes. LOL
06-03-2017, 01:39 AM
#9
Re: Drop in and go my a**
JB weld the brass fittings on, not worth finding aluminum pieces, then paying to tig them on, not cheap either.Just clean it good & let it dry before JBing them on.2¢
Ive said it 100 times... the spacers on top of the rad are welded too far forward for the shroud to line up.This was the case when i bought mine back in the 90s, cut them off &, wait for it.......JB welded them a bit back, fit much better after that little mod.Still had to trim the rubber isolators though.
Ive said it 100 times... the spacers on top of the rad are welded too far forward for the shroud to line up.This was the case when i bought mine back in the 90s, cut them off &, wait for it.......JB welded them a bit back, fit much better after that little mod.Still had to trim the rubber isolators though.
06-10-2017, 11:08 AM
#11
Re: Drop in and go my a**
Skip the high dollar units.The only reason I ever had a b-cool is, a customer returned it for fitment issues, big surprise there! I bought for $120.I'd never pay retail for those.
Very satisfied with my current "cheapo" brand.No need for brass adapters.
Very satisfied with my current "cheapo" brand.No need for brass adapters.
06-10-2017, 11:18 AM
#12
Re: Drop in and go my a**
Ok well I dont want it in my garage taking space. I'm sure someone with a manual transmission can use it or repair the lower fitting thing. I honestly don't have the time or energy to make any further modifications to it or my car with my mom being a hospice patient. You have first free dibs on it 841LE.
06-10-2017, 04:31 PM
#15
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Car: '88 Black GTA, T-tops, digital dash
Engine: 5.7 TPI w/custom chip
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 327 posi
Re: Drop in and go my a**
I was going to suggest the same thing. Actually I just replaced one on my daughter's Saturn last week.
06-10-2017, 05:44 PM
#18
Re: Drop in and go my a**
True and thanks. Btw, radiator is being picked up in a bit. I'm going to try another radiator by a local So. Cal. shop that should be more of a drop in affair. I'm just going to run my old copper/brass unit for a bit longer.