Tip for removing radiator

-

Mako21

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2020
Messages
165
Reaction score
65
Location
Miami
Hey guys, pulling out my 22 inch radiator on the 76 Dart after work this evening. Found a reputable shop to rebuild it. Any tips or tricks I should look out for when doing so. Looks fairly easy. I’ll have to plug the transmission cooler lines running into it, disconnect upper/lower hoses, push the fan shroud forward, remove brackets.
 
Find a couple of rubber caps to pop over your transmission lines flare so they don't drain...and push that rad shroud aft.. not forward, but I know what you meant! lol Drain the radiator and block the best you can, rad cap off and drain **** open. The lower two radiator bolts just need to be loosened and remove the upper two bolts, then the rad slips out of the bottom ones.
1969dartswingercleanup 191.JPG
 
Put a piece of rubber hose between the 2 cooler lines. That way you don't have a puddle of tranny fluid under them. Have them check the drain petcock if you haven't already. take the hose clamps loose & unhook the hoses, take the bolts out & remove the radiator. Then reverse the process for reinstallation.
 
Thanks for the quick responses. I’ll have to go get some caps for the tranny hoses so they don’t drain. Anyone know off the top of their head the diameter?
 
Thanks for the quick responses. I’ll have to go get some caps for the tranny hoses so they don’t drain. Anyone know off the top of their head the diameter?
As noted by another member you can also join them with a hose.. 3/8" will work. Have the hose ready, point it up into the engine compartment, remove one line and quickly slip hose over line. Having the hose UP into the engine compartment will keep it from draining while you get the other line off and then quickly swing it down and slip over that line.
 
I use a plastic sandwich bag and rubber bands on the transmission lines and radiator.
 
Alrighty I’ll pick up a couple feet of hose.

Its either a trip to Office Depot for rubber bands or a Napa for the hose....think I’ll go to Napa. Thanks guys.
 
Thanks...I plan to properly flush this time. I cleaned the side of my block with simple green. This is the only bolt I found aft the oil filter. Would it be my coolant plug so I can flush the block? I’ve had it soaking for a day with PB blaster. What do I do once I open it? Angle the hose gun in and have at it?

01395620-0C62-478D-9890-898E850D1CDF.jpeg
 
Those petcocks drain everywhere except your pan it seems.
I use an old plastic bottle with a hole cut in the side towards the bottom as a funnel to control where the coolant goes
20190224_102245.jpg
 
Just an FYI that coolant is very poisonous to pets. These days I believe a bittering agent is added to it so they dont drink it, but be careful leaving buckets and puddles around.
 
Cardboard placed between radiator and fan on the way out and going back in Two wrenches at cooler line fittings. Be sure to blow out that fluid cooler before reinstalling. Some radiator shops dont blow their nasty water out of them.
 
This sight is invaluable. I pulled the radiator out today using everyone’s advice and think I did a pretty good job. This is the first time of undertaken a project like this and it’s really fun. Thank you.
Here’s a picture of the radiator. I’m taking it to a very good, local, reputable shop tomorrow to have it rebuilt.

Now on a side note I did mess up because while trying to unscrew the compression fitting line from the transmission cooler, it twisted and broke off on me. I found plenty of sight advertising 1969-1975 trans cooler lines available. But will they fit a 1976?

814A02EC-67BE-49C6-A913-A0073921B448.jpeg


B8BF473C-2E8F-4308-9661-AA7F5199E49B.jpeg


90878745-7AF6-44C9-B060-C684180D4D71.jpeg
 
Part stores have the 5/16 tubing in various lengths. It has a flare on both ends so cut halves gets you 2 shots at bending what you need to replace just a portion of the original line and make it up with a brass compression union. Threading the entire pre bent line into place isn't always easy.
 
I’ll head to a hardware store tomorrow and look for that. In the mean time I’m going to start pulling the belts off and get the water pump off to replace. I purchased an AC Delco Gold line water pump and felpro gasket. Hope it works out well!
 
I’ll head to a hardware store tomorrow and look for that. In the mean time I’m going to start pulling the belts off and get the water pump off to replace. I purchased an AC Delco Gold line water pump and felpro gasket. Hope it works out well!
not a hardware store, an auto parts store.
 
I got the line at Advance Auto. I didn't ask if they had the brass compression union. Got it at Lowes
 
Well I got the radiator back today with a complete recore/rebuild from the shop. Added more fins for heat displacement too. Can’t wait to install it and get the car running. Too bad I won’t be able to get to the car till next week....

2FB72EB3-BA9B-43EF-901C-504CB80848E6.jpeg


29F84293-2250-4063-8526-CB0AA53A1434.jpeg
 
I agree. Looks great. If you don't want to give an exact cost, give us a range.

When I lived in Virginia Beach, I took my 66 radiator to a shop. He tanked it, but said he couldn't get a core to fit it :BangHead:. I didn't argue and he cleaned it up for me.
 
I had it completed at Robert Radiators in Miami, Fl. Cost was $325. The other option was $285, but for 40 bucks more he increased the fins to give it around "30%" better cooling capacity. I opted for the upgrade.
 
Good choice, as mentioned don't forget to blow the transmission cooler so the isn't any water in it. And while you are at it, replace the upper & lower radiator hoses & heater hoses for peace of mind.
 
-
Back
Top