Radiator: removal and installation

[KDMatt]

Okay then, well I've noticed that my radiator's got a few spots of rust on it, and as such, it's got a trickling leak.

From what I know about this engine (L28), I wouldn't imagine that removing and replacing the radiator would be a huge undertaking, but as a relative newbie to engine work I can't say that with any certainty.

So what are your experiences with replacing it, and what exactly is entailed in performing this task? I'll consult my Haynes manual in a bit for an 'official' explanation, but I'd sort of like the 'unoffical' one first. Heheh.

[MikeW]

Your 280Z may be different than my 240Z but as I recall it's simply a matter of draining the coolant (there's a drain plug on the bottom), removing the upper and lower hoses, and removing the four bolts that hold it on. I'm not sure what you mean by "replacing" it but your best bet is to simply take the radiator to a local radiator shop and have them fix it right up. I highly doubt that you'd need a new radiator.

[sblake01]

Oh, if a 280 were only as simple as a 240. The fan shroud is in two halves. You have to get underneath the car to remove the bottom half. You'll have to use an offset phillips to remove the top half of the shroud unles you want to remove the AFM. On the other side I believe the charcoal cannister is in the way. And don't forget the coolant recovery, it's also in the way. The job is tedious but it can be done. You'll also find that a new radiator is better in the long run as the old ones have usually been poorly maintained and may not be repairable. At least that's what I found when I bought my 78. A new Modine radiatior is $140-160 bucks. Put one in, take proper care of it and you'll probably never have to mess with it again.

[Chino 240Z]

If a local radiator shop can mend it (usually they can) great. You will have more work than us 240 owner, but like sblake01 says, a little bit of time and you can do it yourself. We just replace our 2-row for the MSA 4 row ( alittle more expensive). I say we, because when I got home from work that afternoon Mrs. Chino was already putting the new one back in. So I think you could do it too. Cools great now.

http://www.zcarparts.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=PCLC01

[26th-Z]

Gotta love those 280s, eh Mike? I thought; "geeze. If you can't figure out how to get the radiator out..." But yea, now that I think about it, the 280 is a total pain in the arse. Just start working your way through it and keep track of your nuts, bolts and screws. Don't just throw them in a pile and figure it out later. Be prepared for the coolant in the engine when you pull the bottom hose. Dousche!

I usually pay around $150 to have mine reconditioned with a new core.

[MikeW]

Gotta love those 280s, eh Mike? I thought; "geeze. If you can't figure out how to get the radiator out..."

Yeah, I guess I need to learn to keep quiet whenever someone asks a 280Z question and let someone like Stephen who actually owns one supply the proper information.

[sblake01]

Gotta love those 280s, eh Mike? I thought; "geeze. If you can't figure out how to get the radiator out..." But yea, now that I think about it, the 280 is a total pain in the arse. Just start working your way through it and keep track of your nuts, bolts and screws. Don't just throw them in a pile and figure it out later. Be prepared for the coolant in the engine when you pull the bottom hose. Dousche!

I usually pay around $150 to have mine reconditioned with a new core.

I would have loved to do it that way since it was the original radiator, but my tanks were shot. Now I've got that damn a/t fluid cooler at the bottom of mine but no cooling problems.

[DatsunZsRule]

Yeah, on the 280's you have to move some stuff out of the way but you should be able to handle it. As long as you keep track of all your nuts and bolts and remember what went where you should be ok. It's not that bad Just requires time and patients.

[sblake01]

Just requires time and patients.

No, I'd rather work on it alone. I don't have the patience to work with patients. (sorry, I couldn't resist)

[KDMatt]

No, I'd rather work on it alone. I don't have the patience to work with patients. (sorry, I couldn't resist)

ROTFLMAO!

That totally sounds like something I would have said... because I was thinking it right before I read your post. Classic!

Hrm, well I guess it sounds like a radiator job on 280 is a bit of a bitch then neh? Well my leak isn't really all that bad, so I'm positive I can just leave things as they are for a while...

Anyway, I'm concluding that I'm going to wait a bit before tackling the radiator, maybe I'll do that next spring after my car's winterization period, (i.e. the removal of all vital fluids so that I don't feel as guilty about leaving it sit for 6 months or so while I'm at school).

On that note: any good tips for storing a car for the winter time? I'm trying to line up something with a relative who's got a heated garage (that's preferable), but worst case scenario is that my Z has to sit outside, undriven, all winter. :dead:

[sblake01]

It has it's tedious moments, but if you take your time, it's not that bad. I changed other things while I was in there. Water pump, thermostat, radiator hoses, belts, and the 4 small hoses (2 that connect under the air regulator, one that goes into the water neck, and the one on the other side of the block that t's off of the heater hose). Now, those four small hoses were a pain!