installing new radiator...advice

[crioten]

i have a 91 s13 with a bad radiator. i tried to fix it with JB Weld, but that did not work. i just ordered a new radiator off the internet...

i need some advice and the processes for installing it. any other helpful info would be great. i have never uninstalled a radiator before, or put one in, so please guide me through it. is it hard to do? im a moron lol...

also, should i invest in new hoses to go to it as well? or is there no need to do so? im too poor to go to a shop to do it, and wouldnt mind tackling a project to further my knowledge of cars =)

also, in what order should i remove hoses and plugs, or does that not matter? hopefully my retard freinds will act like they know what they are doing and help...please help me, i think ill be screwed without your help lol

thanks a bunchglen

[gruntzz]

It is a little bit of a long process to write out complete. EMail me and I will see if I can send you a copy of the procedures(Subj: 240SX radiator). Do yourself a favor make a $25 investment and buy a maintenance book. (Chilton's or Hayne's) That way you can read it over a few times to get familiar and have it right next to you for reference. I work on military helicopters and we don't remove a screw without looking up the maintenance procedures.

[gruntzz]

Also, nearly forgot. I am doing a radiator in my 92. I bought an aftermarket radiator and the one I got did not fit even though the part# was correct. The mount flanges were not positioned correctly. I am not trying to scare you but after market parts almost always require some rigging. Don't alter the part to make it fit if you plan on returning it. You may have to do some shopping around junkyards unless you want to pay $500 to get a new one from Nissan.

[yellow_jacket]

Most radiator shops will sell pretty high quality metal replacement radiators for about 150. And they will even fit correctly.

[1991240xs]

I bought my radiator(with two door panels) of someone on the boards pretty cheap(75$ shipped), and the radiator was pretty clean. I replaced the radiator and flushed out the system in about 2 hours while taking a fast food break...it's not hard just get a FSM or know what you're doing(I still don't have a FSM )

[ricebike]

i might be too late for this since I too have a bad radiator & recently purchased a lifetime warranty metal radiator off the internet for only $89 (free shipping)...

do a radiator flush w/ the bad one on the car before dismantling... http://www1.excite.com/home/in....html

a decent website: keep in mind about the air bleeding procedure, some members have a hard time but if you find the bleeder bolt &/or do this step#9, you'll be ok

I'll be planning to replace my hoses since the last time i did them was in 96 along w/ the t-stat and fan clutch.

[YomnyM]

Ok bleeding the cooling system is done how it was described in the website above, i didn't see how ever that they used the bleeder bolt, what's it used for(i knowo to bleed off) but how? Thanks

[SCOOBYSHAG]

for my 91 S13 bought a Koyo aluminum radiator (SR) and it fit perfectly the first time.

Installation is a breeze. Park the car on an incline or jack up the front end when bleeding the air out.

[droptopsilvia]

my only advice is to not punch a hole in it as it goes in....been there done that had to get a new one...damn!