Radiator repair

[Alfadog]

Well, my radiator sprung a leak yesterday. I will probably take it to a radiator repair place tomorrow if I can. I am just posting this to ask you guys is there anything you would like to share about this job? I've never had a radiator repaired before but it seems simple enough. Is there anything you've learnt from experience that I should keep in mind though?

[Gee]

I heard once that the 280zx grilles had another core when compared to 240 version. Maybe it might be worth coverting to 280zx considering how warm the weather is at the moment? Apparently the bolt holes on the zx one have to be lengthened for it to fit a z - I wonder if this would be the same for a k?

Just an idea..

[440k]

Hey Lachlan.

Don't be surprised if you have to spring for a new radiator (or at least a new core). By the time a radiator starts to leak (unless it's from a stick or other puncture) there's a good chance that the rest of the core is pretty close to shot.

I'd be budgeting for a new one (good chance to upgrade to a heavy duty one)

Sorry to be mr negative about this :nervous:

[Razor]

get aluminum one Lachlan, time for upgrade i guess!!!

[73skyline]

time for aluminum radiator lach!!! im going to get a 22x19 aluminum griffen radiator when im ready to buy it...its about $208 shipped US money, i think thats a great price for what you get.

im not sure what material your radiator but im guessing cooper or brass, pretty much im guess they are going to weld the leak shut with special copper or brass rods.

i have an extra nissan 280z radiator if you want it but i think its cheaper to get it fixed, not sure what shiiping would be towards your way but if you want it let me know.

im getting my aluminum radiator at www.summitracing.com

mikey

[Alfadog]

Ahh, probably not a bad idea at all guys. My current radiator is stock from 1992 IIRC. If I could get a replacement radiator that fits and works better than stock for a decent price, I'd go with it. Any ideas where to start? Can I just go to a local radiator shop for this or would it be more specialised?

[Bambikiller240]

If Australia is like the USA, your Radiator shop can install a thicker core (more cooling tubes) into your upper and lower radiator tanks and mounting plates.

[Razor]

you can take it to any radiator shops/place and you can get them recored and you can tell them to make it thicker extra core or something if they dont have a similar replacement.

Aluminum would be great light and more efficient. i would get one when I have the $$$

try PWR radiators I heard they are really good they will make any dimension you want.

Let us know when you've replaced your radiator.

[Alfadog]

Hi guys, I rang up several places on the Gold Coast and the best deal looked like upgraded to 3-core for $375.

That sounds like a fair bit..!? Especially when you say you can get an aluminium radiator for $208 US...

Are aluminium radiator replacements a bolt-in thing?

[Bambikiller240]

Not usually. The one I saw a while back for "$200 something US dollars" also required a mounting kit as well. Then different hoses were required (or at least ONE different hose)

[Alfadog]

I might stick with the upgraded 3-core one then. Does 375 (293 USD) sound like a reasonable price? To recore it without upgrading was 300 (235 USD).

[Bambikiller240]

Well, I paid $250 USD about 4 years ago for a 3 row recore on my car. Radiator work was warrenteed for 2 years by the shop. It is still in excellent shape.

OH, Aluminum radiators have horizontal tubes, rather than vertical tubes. Nothing wrong with that, but they are quite different from OEM.