Pulled a rotten radiator.

[pkschul]

I've owned my 86 GN for some time now but I'm just starting to work on it now. First thing was to pull the leaking radiator. I pulled it today and removed the intercooler as well. I have a neighbor who works for auto parts warehouse who should be able to get a discount on a new radiator, but my question for you guys is if I should go that route? Should I go with a "car parts" store radiator or is there a better option from a parts maker specifically for our cars? I'm not looking to spend a fortune and I want a direct fit replacement.

Since I have the rad, fan and intercooler out is there anything else I should be replacing, fixing, problem areas to look at while I'm in there? The car has been sitting for a decade. I appreciate any tips!

 

[Squid4life]

Alradco aluminum stock appearing radiator. Cools like mad and will last you forever!

 

[pkschul]

Alradco aluminum stock appearing radiator. Cools like mad and will last you forever!

Thanks for the tip, but I can't swing $450 on a radiator right now. I'm going to need to spend $$ on other things as well to get her on the road! Maybe some time in the future though. Any other suggestions?

 

[dynoman]

After sitting for 10 yrs. I would replace all hoses, radiator and vacuum.

 

[turbotroy]

X2

 

[MeanBuicks]

A budget solution would be a new F-body radiator like for an '89 5.7L Camaro. Can be had for less than $90. I've been running one for a number of years now. Here's one at RockAuto.

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=63824&cc=1035717

 

[pkschul]

Yes I'm planning on replacing the hoses. Does that Camaro radiator have the oil cooler? I've read that most replacement radiators from Napa, autozone, etc. don't have the oil cooler. Is it OK to not run the oil cooling hoses? Is it easy to remove the oil cooling block attachment and run the filter directly on the block?

 

[blackazz]

Some run with a oil cooler some don't. The hotair turbos didn't need it. Threw mine out when the hose popped on me. Been fine ever since.

 

[Squid4life]

Recycle that old radiator too, I just got $25 last week for a one core. Put that towards your parts fund.

 

[earlbrown]

Look up the Fbody on advance autoparts website and use 'TRT30' for 30% off. Take all the money you saved and buy whatever external coolers you want.

 

[whitehot1]

You can get an new F-body radiator off ebay for $70.67 shipped. Item number is 110898539524


Heck it is such a good deal i almost bought one, the ad says more than 10 available.
The only reason i didn't buy one is that my Northern aluminum radiator is still in great shape after 12 years.

 

[pkschul]

Thanks for the responses guys. I have a friend who is the head mechanic at a local repair shop seeing if he can find me one. If not, I'll snag one of those F-body radiators and disconnect the oil cooler.
A couple things before I do that though...

1. Does the oil cooler adapter come off easily? or should I just plug the holes?

2. On those F-body radiators will I need to modify the trans cooler lines or will they line right up?

 

[earlbrown]

I believe you have to tweak the trans lines a little to line them up. I didn't bother with mine. On the oil cooler sammich adapter, you remove the oil filter, then remove the center 'nut' the filter screwed on to. It comes right off. If you were running a biggie filter before, you'll have to switch back to a 18mm metric filter.

 

[pkschul]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, but I think I convinced myself to go with the initial Squid4life's suggestion of an Alradco. The raw aluminum is $449 plus $42 shipping direct from their site. Does anyone else sell them cheaper?

 

[earlbrown]

he actually makes them and sells them, so I have a feeling that's as cheap as you're going to get.

 

[pkschul]

OK thanks. That's actually cheaper than other ones that I'm finding that are a direct replacement with oil cooler intact.

 

[robzombie]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, but I think I convinced myself to go with the initial Squid4life's suggestion of an Alradco. The raw aluminum is $449 plus $42 shipping direct from their site. Does anyone else sell them cheaper?

Just get the Alradco and be done with it.The rad is of great quality and is a direct replacement unit.

It costs over 400.00 to re-core an original rad if you can even find someone that still does it.

It beats the F-body plastic tanks and the F-body doesn't have oil cooler provisions.

There are other aluminum rads out there with both coolers but they have sheet aluminum tanks that look like shit in my opinion compared to the Alradco which looks stock when you paint it black and the Alradco actually runs cooler than the other aluminum rad it replaced.

I had one of the other aluminum rads that had the sheet aluminum tanks and whether it was a fluke or not had the oil cooler in the tank let go after only two weeks.

I say all this to prove a point.

You could spend less now and take a chance on how well something will last and perform, or spend a little more up front and KNOW that you got what you paid for and can forget about it for at least ten to twelve years.

BTW, I love my Alradco and would recommend one to anyone that wants a quality rad especially if they want/need to retain the oil cooler option.

 

[Red C5]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, but I think I convinced myself to go with the initial Squid4life's suggestion of an Alradco. The raw aluminum is $449 plus $42 shipping direct from their site. Does anyone else sell them cheaper?

We're having a special sale for turbobuick members right now. Use coupon code " turbobuick" when you order on our site www.alradco.com. You will get free shipping, saving $42! Sale ends this coming weekend and is actually good on our Dual Spal Fan kits as well.

Thanks for the good words everyone, we really appreciate your support in the community.

 

[pkschul]

That's great news! I'm looking forward to picking one up. I'm trying to sell some goods off from my other hobby to pay for it... Hopefully I'll have scraped the cash together by the weekend.

 

[pkschul]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I went ahead and ordered a raw alradco radiator. I couldn't justify the extra 100 bucks for one with black powdercoat. I'll decide if I want to rattle can paint it or not later. Does powder/paint inhibit the cooling ability?