have any recommendations for new radiator? (1991 4.0 manual)

[savant]

Hey all,

I'm in the market for a new radiator. Mine has a slow leak that left me with no heat on my 45 minute commute (0 degrees outside!).

Autozone claims they have a replacement for $146. Pepboys was $160. I haven't checked napa or standard auto yet, but I'm guessing it will be in that range. Does anyone have any advice regarding which one I should get, or know of a better supplier? If there is a reason to, I can keep topping it off for a week or so, but I want to get this taken care of asap.

Are there any additional items I should get to make the job go faster?

Thanks!

 

[410Fortune]

new thermostat and radiator cap is a good idea.
Also flush the rest of the system while you have the radiator out.
If its an automatic dont forget you will have to deal with the trans cooler lines.
Also a good time to check the condition of your nylon fan, they crack and can come apart.

 

[savant]

Murray's has a lifetime warranty radiator in stock for $140, so I'm getting that one tonight. I already have a new nylon fan that I'm going to install at the same time, since mine is all cracked up everywhere (but still whole, somehow).

It's a manual, so no tranny cooler lines.

Question: how does the system draw coolant out of the reservoir?

 

[Brock94]

Question: how does the system draw coolant out of the reservoir?

The radiator cap acts as a pressure valve. When the coolant gets hot, it expands in volume, when the pressure gets above the rating of the radiator cap -- 16lbs on the X I think-- the cap allows coolant to flow out into the reservoir. When the coolant in the radiator cools down, it contracts in volume creating suction that draws coolant out of the reservoir.