radiator question
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,759
From: Murfreesboro, TN
radiator question
I just learned my radiator has a crack in it due to a bad cap not venting correctly. Its a hairline crack, not even the width not thickness of my thumbnail. Im wondering if
1) I can epoxy the crack to temporarily fix it for a couple of weeks until I can afford a new radiator.
2) I have a 5/8" core, I also notice I have a good 1/2" gap between it and my ac condenser, (I hope that's the right name for that part) when I called the parts store, they told me there is a 1 3/8 option available, would I be able to use that instead of the stock 5/8 size?
1) I can epoxy the crack to temporarily fix it for a couple of weeks until I can afford a new radiator.
2) I have a 5/8" core, I also notice I have a good 1/2" gap between it and my ac condenser, (I hope that's the right name for that part) when I called the parts store, they told me there is a 1 3/8 option available, would I be able to use that instead of the stock 5/8 size?
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,590
From: Mentor, Ohio
I'd be concerned with the cold temps preventing JB Weld or epoxy from properly curing.
As you mentioned, this is a temp fix (a short term band aid). I used JB Weld to stop a leak on a power steering rack once. I got another year of driving on that rack before the leak came back and I was "forced" to change the rack (the car was a beater and I was trying to dodge changing that rack).
As you mentioned, this is a temp fix (a short term band aid). I used JB Weld to stop a leak on a power steering rack once. I got another year of driving on that rack before the leak came back and I was "forced" to change the rack (the car was a beater and I was trying to dodge changing that rack).
Yeah, they're really not all that expensive. I paid about $110 for a new one at a local radiator shop for one of my Daytonas and it was the best investment I ever made for that car. It immediately ran cooler.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,759
From: Murfreesboro, TN
Well, here they quoted 120 for the stovk size, the largest made for a 99 monte carlo is 1 3/16" they quoted me 130 for it.
Would it fit up? The only reason in used epoxy is because I wont be able to afford a new radiator for a couple of weeks.
Would it fit up? The only reason in used epoxy is because I wont be able to afford a new radiator for a couple of weeks.
I'd have done the epoxy or JB Weld temporarily too, if I had to. I was adding to what JaxJim said about radiator prices. I didn't mean for it to sound like "Just buy a new radiator and be done with it." I've been known to do some temporary fixes myself.:p
Monte Of The Month -- August 2014
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 25,145
From: Southeast PA
ZZP sells an oversized radiator, but I'm not sure what is needed to fit it. You could email them and ask, or just stick to the stock size.
It doesn't look like you live in an area of extreme heat where the oversized radiator would be needed
It doesn't look like you live in an area of extreme heat where the oversized radiator would be needed