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Semi OT: Boneyard Radiator

My 66 Elky has taken up smoking, so I figured the low-buck fix is to go to my local junkyard (You-Pull-It, sounds fun, right?) and find a replacement. I know the obvious, find one filled with fluid out of a car that hasn't been wacked in the front, spouts on the right (appropriate) side, all that good stuff.

Originally she had a six in her and I suspect the wafer thin cooler that's in there is the original. I figure I'll check out the third gens and see if they have the physical requirements, but can anyone offer me any other things to look for?

It's gonna be cooling a 1968 327. If I pay a dollah, I get "return insurance", but I'd like to do it right the first time.

TIA, dudes...

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

Reply to
lab~rat >:-)
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I would go to the salvage yard, and get a decent looking used radiator. Preferably an original. Then I would find a decent radiator shop. Have them change the core, and pressure test it. This will probably last you YEARS longer then a new radiator.

Another option is to find a radiator shop that can do you a custom aluminum radiator. With Aluminum cores, you see allot less core corrosion. Usually the oem ones get replaced because the plastic side tanks go bad, or do to wreck damage. With aluminum side tanks, you should be good for a long, long time. You can even get an oil cooler for your engine oil.

I try not to buy the majority or replacement radiators. Most of them are not worth the box they come in. Charles

Reply to
Charles Bendig

On Thu, 12 Feb 2004 00:43:51 GMT, "lab~rat >:-)" puked:

Ok, so death comes in 3s? Last night I ran down the street and back, popped the hood and steam was coming out of the water pump. It appeared to be coming out of the pulley.

Is there a bearing or some kind of seal that could have gone, or is the whole pump toast? It's strange that I would be having both of these problems at the same time. Could the pump have taken a dump and caused a weak point in the radiator to have blown? My temp gauge died a week ago (!) so I didn't have an indication it was running hot until I saw steam.

This is my second car, and I really try to do things on the cheap with her, but this sounds like I'm gonna be digging deep.

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

Reply to
lab~rat

Yes there is a bering and a seal behind the pulley, if they are bad it's new water pump time. I would get the temp gauge fixed right off, be like driving blindfolded 8>0 not having a temp gauge!

Good luck!

Reply to
bw55

On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 15:49:42 GMT, "bw55" puked

The pump is in, and I have to say it was one of the more shade-tree mechanic friendly tasks I've done yet. Actually quite an enjoyable boltogether, barring the fact that I had to make a second trip to the parts store to get stuff I should have gotten the first go round (a new hose and coolant, duh).

And the new temp gauge is sitting in the Autozone bag. I'm thinking of returning it because it has a short sweep, and for some reason I think the long sweep gauges are easier to read.

In addition, I think it warrants a shout out to all the folks in this group that make it the wealth of info it is. It inspired me to get my hands greasy again.

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

Reply to
lab~rat >:-)

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