Aluminum Radiator Isolation

[twsutt]

I've noticed that many of you have stated that an all aluminum radiator needs to be isolated from the radiator support to prevent galvanic corrosion. I've purchased a direct fit aluminum radiator (similar to what MSA sells), and I would like to see how some of you have mounted your radiators so that it's not grounded directly to the radiator support. I've seen mention of plastic sleeves and rubber and I would also be interested in knowing where these can be purchased.

Thank you,

[hogie]

I ran to the junkyard and pulled the isolation mounts off a 95 Nissan Pathfinders V6 air box and used those. Each truck only has 3 so you will have to hit up at least a couple to find some good ones.

The windshield wiper motor mounts are similar and can be made to work.

[Mikez73]

I just used some common rubber bushings of the appropriate size. I believe it was John Coffey who said the main point of using rubber isolators is to protect the aluminum radiator from radiator core support flex which will destroy the radiator.

[twsutt]

I ran to the junkyard and pulled the isolation mounts off a 95 Nissan Pathfinders V6 air box and used those. Each truck only has 3 so you will have to hit up at least a couple to find some good ones.

The windshield wiper motor mounts are similar and can be made to work.

hogie,

Forgive me for being dense, but I haven't removed my old radiator yet, will the radiator support need to be drilled to fit the shoulder washers through or is the existing hole large enough?

I assume that you used these along with the rubber spacer, otherwise the radiator will still be grounded to the frame through the bolt.

Edited September 15, 2010 by twsutt

[hogie]

I didnt use the shoulder washers as they were too deep at first. They will need to be ground down a little bit in order to fit properly. I will probably get these added back on tonight.

As it is right now the rubber is wider than the bolt head/washer so the bolt only squeezes on rubber and doesnt touch any metal.

[twsutt]

But aren't the sides of the bolt touching metal?

[hogie]

Nope, it is a solid rubber bushing...kind shape like this. [=] the bolt goes through the equal sign so no metal on metal touching the radiator.

[twsutt]

Got it. Thank you. something like this:

I thought that it was just a rubber spacer.

I was looking at my Z last night and noticed that the four bolts that hold the radiator to the radiator support also hold the a/c condenser on the front side of the support. Do you have a/c in your car and if so will the rubber grommet fit through the support and condenser mounting tab together?

[hogie]

The isolator is basically like those grommets, just thicker and has the metal sleeves.

I have an a/c kit in the attic, but have never checked to see if it would install in this manner.

[twsutt]

Okay. Like a smaller version of the suspension bushings.

Thanks for all your assistance. I'll be tackling this job this weekend...if the radiator arrives (and in one piece) this Friday like FedEx says it will.

[Unkle]

Terrence, the pics you posted are not what he means.

Those are a type of firewall grommet you have there .

He's meaning ones at least 1/2'' thick with a metal

sleeve to prevent crushing , allowing the rubber ends

to separate whatever you want to isolate from each other.

[hogie]

I will try to post up a pic later on tonight.