New Radiator

[clarkedj]

I have a 1978 124 1.8L that is in need of a new radiator. My sons fiat has sprung a leak at the top of the radiator by the seams. A couple of months ago he hit someone and pushed the front brace into the radiator. I suspected at the time that the radiator would be damaged. It has been fine for the last couple of months but the seam finally gave way under the pressure. Is it worth repairing or should I just replace? Does anyone have suggestions on where I can get an OEM radiator for a good price. I checked Mr. Fiat and they want $450 and IAP wants $390. Any other suggestions or is $ 390 the best I will get.

Thanks

Ed Clark

[manoa matt]

I got one from a 76 parts car, also an 1.8L. It looks to be recently re-cored and still has a metal tag on it. I can pressure test it too. Let me know if you are interested and I'll take some pix and pressure test it.

matt.scarton@gmail.com

[So Cal Mark]

I have two brand new radiators in stock. One is a high fin count core just like the original radiators. Almost impossible to get these days. The price on the high fin rad is $325.

[clarkedj]

Guys,

Thanks for the help. I took the radiator out this morning. I brought it to a radiator repair shop that rebuilds radiators for older cars. They are going to dip the radiator in LYE or HCL ( if necessary ) to clean it and then solder the seam. They believed this would take care of the leaking issue. What do you guys think? I may still need to take you up on the radiators.

I had another question last fall I routed the system around the heater core until I could get a new one. I finally found an affordable one and installed it. I would like to reconnect the heater core since I am already doing the radiator. My question comes from where is the hose that you refer to as the water choke hose? or water hose attached to the choke? Are there any special things I may need to note with the heater core in place when it comes to refilling the system?

Thanks

Ed Clark
edjclark@gmail.com

[clarkedj]

I found the reference to the choke lines from the block. Those are awful small hoses to pour radiator fluid into.

Thanks

Ed Clark

[So Cal Mark]

use a tiny funnel

[rlux4]

I was very dissatisfied with trying to top off the system using the little pre heater tube. Much easier and efficient is to add the "T" installed in the heater hose that goes from the firewall to the top of the head as you can see right behind the dist. here;



Ron

[clarkedj]

Radiator replacement went great. Matt thanks for the radiator it worked like a champ. I had a question for you guys about the flow of water through the system. I had disconnected the heater block months ago because it was leaking. I have replaced the heater core but can not remember how the core needs to be brought into the system. Do I come out of the hose at the top of the block into the core valve or does it matter?

Thanks

Ed Clark

[mdrburchette]

I labeled this pic for someone else some time ago. See if you can read it. The top hose goes from the core to the top of the engine and the bottom hose goes to the pipe running to the water pump:

[zachmac]

Someone else jump in if i am wrong but it shouldn't matter on bit whic h way you hook it up. I happen to have the pipe off the pump line into the connection closest to the fender and the other outlet (inboard) piped to the block but that's just so the two don't have to cross each other. Flow throught the heater core andvalve aren't at all directional as it is a parallel path with a single vavle and no check valving.

[zachmac]

Hummm, looks like Denise has it the opposite? As I said, I don't know if mine is correct but I do know it doesn't seem to matter.

[pope]

Ed, are you sure that the heater core was leaking, usually it is the heater valve that is connected to the heater that leaks.

[mdrburchette]

If I have it backwards then it doesn't matter. I have no problem with heating or cooling issues.

[zachmac]

If I have it backwards then it doesn't matter. I have no problem with heating or cooling issues.

Denise,

I wasn't saying your's is backwards. Mine may be. SWomeone who has a factory car that has never been touched could confirm (assuming Luigi did it the same every time ). I think the point is, other than getting the hoses to reach and be tight, it just doesn't matter which is connected to which.

[So Cal Mark]

in practice it might not matter, but in theory if the hot water is allowed to flow into the core with the valve on the return, you could get some warm air from the heater constantly even though water isn't flowing through the core. If the hot water is being pushed against the valve, the temp in the core could be lower. Eventually the temp should somewhat stabilize in the system, but temps do vary throughout the cooling system