Radiators and Yorkie brushes - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Young1 · 04-07-2020

Just pulled my second Z stock radiator choked with road debris. I think there was a pint of sand in this one. We have Yorkies in our house and I snagged one of their fine wire brushes. The divas prefer the brushes with the little balls on the ends of the wires. I got one without the little balls and brushed the exterior of the radiator with it and man did it work well to get the junk out out. I also use AC coil foaming cleaner to finish after tapping and brushing and blowing.

Question. I cut the original lower radiator hose in half to get the radiator out. I do not like the looks of the TSTAT housing to disassemble it. Can I get the radiator back in with a new short piece of 1 3/4 inch hose? Anyone done it?

Bradjon · 04-07-2020

Don’t think so I would get another hose

Ccmano · 04-07-2020

I’ve done it but it’s a bear. Just recently on my own car as a matter of fact. So, yes it can be done without removing the thermostat housing.
H

Young1 · 04-07-2020

Ok it can be done. I will experiment cutting the hose with some angle on it. I will ditch the factory clamps in favor of the screw type I can put on afterwards.

precast1 · 04-07-2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by Young1

Ok it can be done. I will experiment cutting the hose with some angle on it. I will ditch the factory clamps in favor of the screw type I can put on afterwards.

Got a radiator that I need to install in the 67. Looks straight forward if you take the hood off and install the bottom hose before you put the new radiator in.

Sent from my SM-G950U using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

Ccmano · 04-07-2020

The silicon hoses are more pliable and make this a bit easier.
H

secondchance · 04-08-2020

Young1,

Since you are working on radiator i thought i would share my experience based on my 94 with 170,000 miles on the odometer.
my experience with GM radiators have been passenger side plastic tank failure about 1/3 from the top facing the engine bay. I had two fail exactly on the same spot. It was evident, looking at the crack, that continuous expansion and contraction of the plastic tank combined with engine bay and coolant heat eventually cracks reinforcing rib built into the tank facing. When this happens, tank will balloon and crack. Just be aware of this. In my case, I went to dual row Dewitt all aluminum radiator and consider this to be one of the best bang for buck mod.
Also, at least for the short hose between the radiator to thermostat housing (I think...), consider going with silicone hose as a few are suggesting. Much easier to install and remove in the future. Another word of caution - silicone hoses seems to shrink in thickness over time. You have to go back and tighten the clamp a bit periodically. I was mysteriously losing coolant which drove me nuts for a while and then found out all my hose clamps were loose.

Thought I would share my experiences since you are working on your radiator.

Mystic ZR-1 · 04-08-2020

Not trying to spend your money, but....
Do your self a favor and replace the stock Radiator
with an aluminum one. DeWitts are good. Summit usually
has a good price on them with free shipping.
Don‘t trust those 30 year old plastic tanks!
You know when it finally craps out, guaranteed, you won’t
be in your driveway!

secondchance · 04-08-2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystic ZR-1

Not trying to spend your money, but....
Do your self a favor and replace the stock Radiator
with an aluminum one. DeWitts are good. Summit usually
has a good price on them with free shipping.
Don‘t trust those 30 year old plastic tanks!
You know when it finally craps out, guaranteed, you won’t
be in your driveway!

That's for sure Doug. My second OEM radiator failed while driving to Mustang/Corvette club day at a drag strip west of Frederick, MD. Result was the head gasket failure. Pretty expensive ordeal! What the heck, it gave me a perfect excuse to rebuild the motor and while at it, why not 4" sleeve and pistons, while at it why not adding .1" to stroke, while at it why not higher lift intake cams, might as well port the plenum and IHs, while at it might as well port the heads, what the heck, port the throttle body, might as well, might as well... You get the idea?
Now that I look back, it was an experience of a lifetime! Priceless! And Master Card chatges to prove it.

Mystic ZR-1 · 04-08-2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondchance

That's for sure Doug. My second OEM radiator failed while driving to Mustang/Corvette club day at a drag strip west of Frederick, MD. Result was the head gasket failure. Pretty expensive ordeal! What the heck, it gave me a perfect excuse to rebuild the motor and while at it, why not 4" sleeve and pistons, while at it why not adding .1" to stroke, while at it why not higher lift intake cams, might as well port the plenum and IHs, while at it might as well port the heads, what the heck, port the throttle body, might as well, might as well... You get the idea?
Now that I look back, it was an experience of a lifetime! Priceless! And Master Card chatges to prove it.

Yun
Sounds like you invented the term “while I’m in there”

Stay healthy

04-07-2020	#1
Young1 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 879	Radiators and Yorkie brushes Just pulled my second Z stock radiator choked with road debris. I think there was a pint of sand in this one. We have Yorkies in our house and I snagged one of their fine wire brushes. The divas prefer the brushes with the little balls on the ends of the wires. I got one without the little balls and brushed the exterior of the radiator with it and man did it work well to get the junk out out. I also use AC coil foaming cleaner to finish after tapping and brushing and blowing. Question. I cut the original lower radiator hose in half to get the radiator out. I do not like the looks of the TSTAT housing to disassemble it. Can I get the radiator back in with a new short piece of 1 3/4 inch hose? Anyone done it? __________________ Steve Young 1991 ZR-1 Quasar Blue Metallic/Black #729 Second Owner 1991 ZR-1 Dark Red Metallic/Black #2040 SOLD 1990 ZR-1 Dark Red Metallic/Saddle #1670 SOLD Double your happiness.....complain half as much.

04-07-2020	#2
Bradjon Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Ridgecrest ca Posts: 71	Re: Radiators and Yorkie brushes Don’t think so I would get another hose

04-07-2020	#3
Ccmano Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2,852	Re: Radiators and Yorkie brushes I’ve done it but it’s a bear. Just recently on my own car as a matter of fact. So, yes it can be done without removing the thermostat housing. H __________________ 90'ZR-1 #1461 Red/Black Ported Intake, Degreed Cams, OBX Headers & Exhaust, Fidanza FW, Secondary Delete, Custom tune, C6 GS Wheels. Sold 08 C6 Z51 Crystal Red Metallic Sold Vararam Intake, Tune, Sold 05 C6 Z51 Red/Black Sold 90'ZR-1 #1723 Black/Gray Sold but not forgotten 91' Z51 L98 White Vert. My First, you always remember your first. Sold.

04-07-2020	#4
Young1 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 879	Re: Radiators and Yorkie brushes Ok it can be done. I will experiment cutting the hose with some angle on it. I will ditch the factory clamps in favor of the screw type I can put on afterwards. __________________ Steve Young 1991 ZR-1 Quasar Blue Metallic/Black #729 Second Owner 1991 ZR-1 Dark Red Metallic/Black #2040 SOLD 1990 ZR-1 Dark Red Metallic/Saddle #1670 SOLD Double your happiness.....complain half as much.

04-07-2020	#6
Ccmano Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2,852	Re: Radiators and Yorkie brushes The silicon hoses are more pliable and make this a bit easier. H __________________ 90'ZR-1 #1461 Red/Black Ported Intake, Degreed Cams, OBX Headers & Exhaust, Fidanza FW, Secondary Delete, Custom tune, C6 GS Wheels. Sold 08 C6 Z51 Crystal Red Metallic Sold Vararam Intake, Tune, Sold 05 C6 Z51 Red/Black Sold 90'ZR-1 #1723 Black/Gray Sold but not forgotten 91' Z51 L98 White Vert. My First, you always remember your first. Sold.

04-08-2020	#7
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,704	Re: Radiators and Yorkie brushes Young1, Since you are working on radiator i thought i would share my experience based on my 94 with 170,000 miles on the odometer. my experience with GM radiators have been passenger side plastic tank failure about 1/3 from the top facing the engine bay. I had two fail exactly on the same spot. It was evident, looking at the crack, that continuous expansion and contraction of the plastic tank combined with engine bay and coolant heat eventually cracks reinforcing rib built into the tank facing. When this happens, tank will balloon and crack. Just be aware of this. In my case, I went to dual row Dewitt all aluminum radiator and consider this to be one of the best bang for buck mod. Also, at least for the short hose between the radiator to thermostat housing (I think...), consider going with silicone hose as a few are suggesting. Much easier to install and remove in the future. Another word of caution - silicone hoses seems to shrink in thickness over time. You have to go back and tighten the clamp a bit periodically. I was mysteriously losing coolant which drove me nuts for a while and then found out all my hose clamps were loose. Thought I would share my experiences since you are working on your radiator.

04-08-2020	#8
Mystic ZR-1 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mystic CT Posts: 2,597	Re: Radiators and Yorkie brushes Not trying to spend your money, but.... Do your self a favor and replace the stock Radiator with an aluminum one. DeWitts are good. Summit usually has a good price on them with free shipping. Don‘t trust those 30 year old plastic tanks! You know when it finally craps out, guaranteed, you won’t be in your driveway!