I was looking through the archives and noticed no one seems to replace a cracked plastic side radiator tank. I've done this twice in the past and it was relatively easy and worked well. The only tools I used were a large flat head screwdriver and a pair of plyers. Once the radiator was out, which you'd need to do regardless, I believe it took me about an hour or so to change the tank. It's also easy to flush out the radiator once the side tank is off by spraying a hose into it, so if it is gummed up at all it will flow like new.

The first time I used a junkyard tank and the second time (after I realize the side tanks were available new) I used a new tank. The used tank lasted another 65,000 miles and the new tank lasted until I sold the car.

So anyway I was just curious am I the only here that replaces the side tank rather than replacing the entire radiator?

And the reason I was checking the forums is because the new tank I used I was able to drive to a local Modine shop and picked up the tank and gasket for a total of $24. However, this was in 2004 and the shop is gone and I can't find anything on Modine's website or on the internet using the part # on the invoice I had. I saw there were two on ebay for $60 which is funny because a radiator is $80 on ebay.

Does anyone have a source to buy a new left side (inlet) plastic tank (auto transmission)?

I think you'd need to find one at a radiator shop.

One place the rad shops would be getting theirs from.
http://radtank.com/index.htm

Part numbers (look under General Motors/Pontiac Fiero)
https://radiadores.us/cw_si...alogo2.php?op=buscar

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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 01-10-2021).]

I have a friend who works at a local major radiator shop. He told me the tanks aren't available any more and only radiators that accept transmission fluid lines are being made.

quote Originally posted by fierosound: I think you'd need to find one at a radiator shop. One place the rad shops would be getting theirs from. http://radtank.com/index.htm Part numbers (look under General Motors/Pontiac Fiero) https://radiadores.us/cw_si...alogo2.php?op=buscar

Thanks. I called both. It looks like Rad is a distributor buying from the manufacturers (waiting to hear back) while AM is a manufacturer and is saying none available until march.

I talked to Modine and their tank line was bought up and the buyer then went bankrupt.

Obviously if new radiators with plastic tanks are available then the tanks are being made somewhere.

Has anyone bought a tank in the last 10 years that can give me the manufacturer that is making them still?

quote Originally posted by reinhart: Obviously if new radiators with plastic tanks are available then the tanks are being made somewhere.

Agreed. And most likely Chinese made these days.

But Fiero radiator is unique, and even a new radiator is sometimes hard to find.
Not for Fiero https://www.carparts.com/radiator-end-tank

quote Originally posted by fierosound: Agreed. And most likely Chinese made these days. But Fiero radiator is unique, and even a new radiator is sometimes hard to find. Not for Fiero https://www.carparts.com/radiator-end-tank

Yes. The tanks are unique. However, lots of cars apparently are just one offs. That's evidenced by AW having 1600 different tanks.

Just curious; how do you intend to replace the plastic side tank of the radiator, remove it, keep the edges perfectly smooth, install the new tank be leak free and insure a lasting repair?

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