Fiero Radiator (Page 2/2)
Roger Walling APR 09, 07:21 PM
I just purchased a radiator for my 84. (one week ago)The same one fits a 88 .
Try Summit Racing # OSC 828 $195 with free shipping.
This radiator is 2" thick and will cool 450 hp.
It is all alum., no plastic tanks!
Ps, it also fits a Corvette!

I first filled the radiator at the front. Then I filled at the engine.
I started it for a minute and shut it off.
Then I filled it again at the engine and restarted it.
Did this 3 or 4 times and it was then full.
Drove it for a while and let it completely cool, then checked again.
Make sure your overflow tank has fluid in it before you start the process.

[This message has been edited by Roger Walling (edited 04-09-2021).]

Spoon APR 09, 08:35 PM
Firezappy, I did this after doing the 3800sc swap but I used plain water rather than antifreeze just in case I had some leaks. No mess to clean up plus hot water on the floor surface will evaporate real fast.

I unplugged the fan connector for safety reasons and started with a completely cooled engine. As the thermostat begins to open the coolant tube inside the driver side rear wheel well will begin to get warm 1st. I wrapped my hand around it as it warmed up.

From there I went to the other end of that coolant tube at the radiator inlet and felt for a warm hose.
Next point I checked was the hose at the radiator outlet and then back to the coolant pipe at the passenger rear wheel well.
Once everything got warm or hot I went back to check that the radiator fins were equally warm over the entire surface. If there were any cool areas on the radiator that would indicate a partial blockage. I then plugged the fan connector back in.

Results may vary.....

Spoon

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"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut

reinhart APR 11, 07:10 AM
Also take a look at the water pump. If you got a crappy plastic impeller, they can start dissintigrating making the water circulation less than ideal and causing overheating issues.
fierosound APR 11, 11:03 AM

quote
Originally posted by reinhart:

Also take a look at the water pump. If you got a crappy plastic impeller, they can start disintigrating making the water circulation less than ideal and causing overheating issues.



If you have to water pump off to check for that, you may as well install a new one either way.


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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 04-11-2021).]

Mickey_Moose APR 11, 03:24 PM
Sometimes you can get an air bubble at the thermostat. This can prevent it from opening correctly.

Drill a 1/8" hole near the edge of the thermostat to allow any air to escape (make sure you install it so the hole is on the high side). This was an old thread on here that talked about doing this.

Any rad shop should be able to steam clean it or recore if it is a problem.

[This message has been edited by Mickey_Moose (edited 04-11-2021).]

Firezappy APR 25, 10:59 PM
Thanks for all the replies, I think I fixed it. My radiator fan strait up quit working, so I replaced it. I never knew how much air it was suppose to move, but this new radiator fan pushes much more air. So I re burped it again, and added a Stant thermostat. I need to drive it more to be 100% sure, but even the a/c has gotten colder when I am sitting still. So I have a good feeling. I just don't like leaving post without the 'solved' solution. Thanks again all!