Radiator interchangeability replacement 1978 to 1982

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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vanover69
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:18 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Fiat 124 Spider

Radiator interchangeability replacement 1978 to 1982

Post by vanover69 »

Hello all
Ok I have a small leak in the top of my radiator and may need to replace
I can only find radiators that will fit up to a 1978 fiat 124 spider and I have a 1982 124 FI spider
Will the radiator from a 1978 fit the 82 models?
They look the same, but not sure

Thanks in advance
Robert
18Fiatsandcounting
Posts: 3798
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Radiator interchangeability replacement 1978 to 1982

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

There are subtle differences in the various model years, so take a look at these radiators:
https://autoricambi.us/fiat-124-spider- ... caps-fans/

Three things that might be different: radiator size and mounting tab locations, location of the electric fan mounting tabs, and internal fluid (cooling) capacity. I'd give AutoRicambi a call and they can probably steer you in the right direction. Or any of the other usual Fiat parts vendors.

-Bryan
Slartibartfaster
Patron 2018
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Posts: 76
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 5:49 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider

Re: Radiator interchangeability replacement 1978 to 1982

Post by Slartibartfaster »

If you want to keep the original try RJR radiator in Sharonville. I over-torqued the petcock ( boy, that sounds bad) on a radiator a couple of years ago and they welded in a replacement, cleaned it out in some dunk tanks of nasty stuff and repainted it for about $120 I think. Fine work.
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vanover69
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:18 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Fiat 124 Spider

Re: Radiator interchangeability replacement 1978 to 1982

Post by vanover69 »

Thanks for the info.
I did call RJR and few other repair shops and it seemed it was going to cost ~115 to fix at least...if not a bit more.
I found that Vick's the radiator on sale now for 179 and put my order in

As there is only on small area leaking in my radiator I plan to have it fixed and maybe keep for a backup

Thanks again for the help

Robert
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