1990 Radiator - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

bobbyhi · 09-09-2007

I have been loosing antifreeze for the last couple of days. Only happens when the car is hot. Nothing when cold. It appears as if it is the radiator. Can't find any other leaks of any sort except the lower right corner of the radiator cover. I will have to check it out a little further. How I'm not really sure but there must be some way. If it is the radiator I need suggestions as to where to purchase and what kind should I buy. I do not do any track racing so maybe a stock (if available) would work OK. Don't want to spend an arm and leg but it is something that needs to be replaced. 66M on the clock and doesn't overheat when driving. Any suggestions will be helpful.

cuisinartvette · 09-09-2007

Sounds like the tank may be starting to split/seep. The replacements from what I understand come with a trans cooler, I dont know what effect if any that has on keeping the beast cool with less capacity. Sounds like most here like the DeWitts as a replacement.

tomtom72 · 09-10-2007

When I had my rad out for cleaning I noticed in the FSM a "how to" tighten the metal spring steel clips that hold the plastic tanks on the core.

I checked mine for tightness and some were a bit looser than others so I used a small pair of channel locks to re-crimp the suckers. This seemed to cure this "coolant smell" I would get sometimes after a good run....no drips and not missing any measurable volume of coolant, just this smell sometimes.

Also, if you look them over & see some hair line cracks & have one of those testers, you could pump her up & look for air leaks. If you find any in the plastic a little epoxy high temp resin + some fine "racing cloth" will seal up the small cracks, get that stuff at a boat supply store. Even if you have a split, use some Marine-Tex epoxy on the big ones with a bit of 10 oz cloth.

I know this sounds like the a$$ backwards way to fix the side tanks but the GM replacements rads all have a trans cooler & our OEM rads do not....and ya can't buy the side tanks or at least I haven't found any one who sells them.

Tom

Mika73 · 09-10-2007

I got BeCool radiator and it runs nice and cool. Also -90 ZR1.

DaveK · 09-10-2007

Hey Bob

I heard that those 49th Street rockers cause all kinds of problems like that. You should give them away right now - to me

Good luck with the rad replacement. Let me know if you need help installing, I'll drop by for the weekend

Dave

Hammer · 09-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyhi

I have been loosing antifreeze for the last couple of days. Only happens when the car is hot. Nothing when cold. It appears as if it is the radiator. Can't find any other leaks of any sort except the lower right corner of the radiator cover. I will have to check it out a little further. How I'm not really sure but there must be some way. If it is the radiator I need suggestions as to where to purchase and what kind should I buy. I do not do any track racing so maybe a stock (if available) would work OK. Don't want to spend an arm and leg but it is something that needs to be replaced. 66M on the clock and doesn't overheat when driving. Any suggestions will be helpful.

Bob,
I changed my radiator to a replacement from the thepartsladi on ebay. Cheapest GM replacement I could find anywhere. I have the Haibeck chip like you and it works fine. Looks like two choices now. Good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-91...3382QQtcZphoto

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-91...2929QQtcZphoto

Sgreg · 09-10-2007

I have a very good OEM radiator take-off at about 20,000 miles I am selling for $85. An alternative to buying a new OEM or expensive aluminum replacement. If you are not racing you probably don't need an aftermarket radiator.

bobbyhi · 09-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

Bob,
I changed my radiator to a replacement from the thepartsladi on ebay. Cheapest GM replacement I could find anywhere. I have the Haibeck chip like you and it works fine. Looks like two choices now. Good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-91...3382QQtcZphoto

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-91...2929QQtcZphoto

Didn't know what the difference was so I ordered the first one. Looks like the same GM #'s. Thanks for all the help. I'm sure that I will be back on line here once I attempt to remove and replace.

bobbyhi · 09-10-2007

Dave, the white panels would look too gaudy on the black beast

Of course it might make it go faster!!!!

DaveK · 09-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyhi

Dave, the white panels would look too gaudy on the black beast

Of course it might make it go faster!!!!

Oh well.. it was worth a try.. you could always throw in a tin of black paint too..

09-09-2007	#1
bobbyhi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mendota Heights, MN. 55120 Posts: 984	1990 Radiator I have been loosing antifreeze for the last couple of days. Only happens when the car is hot. Nothing when cold. It appears as if it is the radiator. Can't find any other leaks of any sort except the lower right corner of the radiator cover. I will have to check it out a little further. How I'm not really sure but there must be some way. If it is the radiator I need suggestions as to where to purchase and what kind should I buy. I do not do any track racing so maybe a stock (if available) would work OK. Don't want to spend an arm and leg but it is something that needs to be replaced. 66M on the clock and doesn't overheat when driving. Any suggestions will be helpful. __________________ Bob Anderson 1990 #2405 White/Gray Haibeck chip,4:09 gears,Power Effects Exhaust,5 spoke chrome,C5 brakes,49th Street rockers,K&N,Hurst,Headers,Upper & lower ported Minnesota State Director Founding Member #19

09-09-2007	#2
cuisinartvette Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA. Posts: 896	Re: 1990 Radiator Sounds like the tank may be starting to split/seep. The replacements from what I understand come with a trans cooler, I dont know what effect if any that has on keeping the beast cool with less capacity. Sounds like most here like the DeWitts as a replacement. __________________ 1990 ZR1, 142,000 miles-Black on black 4.09's Haibeck chip, 3"exh, K&N, meth inj.

09-10-2007	#3
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,645	Re: 1990 Radiator When I had my rad out for cleaning I noticed in the FSM a "how to" tighten the metal spring steel clips that hold the plastic tanks on the core. I checked mine for tightness and some were a bit looser than others so I used a small pair of channel locks to re-crimp the suckers. This seemed to cure this "coolant smell" I would get sometimes after a good run....no drips and not missing any measurable volume of coolant, just this smell sometimes. Also, if you look them over & see some hair line cracks & have one of those testers, you could pump her up & look for air leaks. If you find any in the plastic a little epoxy high temp resin + some fine "racing cloth" will seal up the small cracks, get that stuff at a boat supply store. Even if you have a split, use some Marine-Tex epoxy on the big ones with a bit of 10 oz cloth. I know this sounds like the a$$ backwards way to fix the side tanks but the GM replacements rads all have a trans cooler & our OEM rads do not....and ya can't buy the side tanks or at least I haven't found any one who sells them. Tom __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member

09-10-2007	#4
Mika73 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 123	Re: 1990 Radiator I got BeCool radiator and it runs nice and cool. Also -90 ZR1.

09-10-2007	#5
DaveK Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sudbury, Ontario. Canada Posts: 1,538	Re: 1990 Radiator Hey Bob I heard that those 49th Street rockers cause all kinds of problems like that. You should give them away right now - to me Good luck with the rad replacement. Let me know if you need help installing, I'll drop by for the weekend Dave __________________ 1991 #1516 Black/Black davidmkelly.com "Speed is often confused with insight." - Johan Cruijff

09-10-2007	#7
Sgreg Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 518	Re: 1990 Radiator I have a very good OEM radiator take-off at about 20,000 miles I am selling for $85. An alternative to buying a new OEM or expensive aluminum replacement. If you are not racing you probably don't need an aftermarket radiator. __________________ 1991 ZR-1, Black, Black, # 541

09-10-2007	#9
bobbyhi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mendota Heights, MN. 55120 Posts: 984	Re: 1990 Radiator Dave, the white panels would look too gaudy on the black beast Of course it might make it go faster!!!! __________________ Bob Anderson 1990 #2405 White/Gray Haibeck chip,4:09 gears,Power Effects Exhaust,5 spoke chrome,C5 brakes,49th Street rockers,K&N,Hurst,Headers,Upper & lower ported Minnesota State Director Founding Member #19