Radiator, repair or replace?

Welp, the radiator in the Vista has sprung a leak. I noticed it yesterday when I put it up on the ramps to actually change the coolant. I noticed it was leaking some earlier in the week, topped it off and didn't think anything of it. Figured it was the old cap or leaking out of the overflow reservoir. For now I have done nothing to it. As far as I know this is still the original radiator (61k miles). Now the question is, do I repair or replace it?

 

Check and see. There is a good chance you can find brand new, with a lifetime warranty, for the price of a recore. Canadian Tire and Parts Source here in Canada carry brand new rads for most cars, and the cost is the same as, if not slightly lower than, the cost of repairing your existing radiator. That warranty for as long as you own your car is nice, too.

 

You haven't said anything about WHERE it's leaking from. Depending on the situation, it might be an easy, inexpensive fix for a radiator shop. Are you sure it's just not leaking out around where one of the hoses attaches?

If you can't tell whether it's coming from the overflow reservoir or the cap, you haven't looked very hard! These are two very different places. If it's coming from the overflow reservoir, the problem, obviously, isn't the radiator at all.

With only 61,000 miles on it, I would think and hope that your radiator still has some life left in it.

If you do end up needing a new one, then, yes, you can get one at your local auto parts store. Autozone has them for about $100.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1977-Oldsmobile-Vista-Cruiser/Radiator/_/N-jczo1Z9pdak

 

Any reason to upgrade the radiator?

Dear 77Vista and station wagon fans,

In the old days when my wagon was young, repairing radiators was a commonplace enterprise. Today, you may have to have your radiator shipped some distance to get to a competent shop.

Something else to think about is whether the old radiator was performing as you wanted. If it was - great! If the car did seem like it could improved cooling, here is your chance to upgrade.

Something to think about.

Cheers, Edouard

 

It's leaking out of the bottom somewhere. The top hose is good, and so is the bottom. No signs of leaks from either.

I just don't want some cheap crappy radiator, even under warranty, that I have to replace every few months.

I'll have time in about a week to check it out further, but for now it's parked.

 

Believe it or not our son bought a new aluminum replacement radiator for his 1976 El Camino at Advance for just under $100. Very thin but worked like a charm. We replaced the one in my 55 Chevy wagon with one just like it. Obviously we have long ago changed the mounting area for a cross flow radiator. I'm sure these are the size for your wagon. It fooled both of us but for the price was worth a try.
Perhaps our local auto parts member with the green wagon will chime in about what's available at his place of employment.

 

Looks like various quality radiators are available from Advance Bros. Here in my area, $99 will get a "Ready Rad" from them , its a plastic tank model though? $220 will get you one with a brass tank. They show a 20% off coupon you can apply for online purchases. Anyone have any exp with the "plastic" radiators?

 

That's what our son put in his 1976 El Camino with 350 and my 55 Chevy with 305.
I guess they last awhile. Ask Xavier about his poor Kia !:confused:
Price seems right because he gets some sort of jobbers discount.
I should have gone for the better radiator. i believe the Jobber special is for those car dealer quickies.

 

NAPA Bros. shows a brass/copper one for $156.60. That might be a good deal for a replacement? I don't think anyone repairs radiators anymore.

 

Last time I had an 87 Chevy van radiator soldered it was over $75. Ended up driving it from Illinois and replacing with a swap meet thicker one that cost about $25.
Did ya know that when you yank on the fan and clutch fan it may hit the middle of the radiator?

 

my rad is an up and down copper and brass I would think 66 mopar.I am not a mechanic and my 383 runs hot would a new whatever rad greatly improve my cooling. I got my wagon in July it was hot. The car never overheated but I also remember my Dads burlap water sack hanging off the mirror. Id rather not go there. my heater defroster works great. never changed thermostat maybe Im paranoid but cooling is important and the rads 1966

 

If the antifreeze hasn't been changed in a few years it should be drained and flushed. New 50/50 mixture, maybe even stronger if it gets cold up there, replaced and a new radiator cap installed. Before doing anything check all hoses and replace any that look bad or feel squishy. That's a Mopar mechanic term!
Radiators for older vehicles can be expensive.
Maybe another Canadian member will let you know what strength antifreeze to use in the radiator.

 

We have had really good luck with the Canadian Tire/Parts Source brand new rads. They work really well, and seem to last. The last one I got did me 10 years and about 300,000 kms (185,000 miles). When it did leak, I took it back to Parts Source, and had another brand new rad in my hand overnight, at no charge.

I always use Prestone antifreeze, mixed 50/50, and that does the trick to -45 degrees. I don't think you see anything quite that cold, so you should be just fine with that. That is also what one of my friends uses in his 1960 Dodge Polara 2 door.

 

77v... look at www.rockauto.com

yours range from 93 bux and up....NEW !!

 

Antifreeze doesn't improve cooling.

Dear 66mopar wagon and station wagon fans all over the world,

Actually just got a lesson from another forum about a product called WaterWetter that does what people seem to think antifreeze does. Antifreeze only does what the name implies: prevent the coolant from becoming ice when water would normally freeze. It actually impedes cooling in the process because of its chemical composition. Antifreeze is not as efficient a heat-transfer medium as water. WaterWetter is a product akin to soap or detergent that breaks down the viscosity of water so there is even higher heat transfer.

WaterWetter is used mostly by drag racers, but someone who lived in extreme climates could certainly consider having separate summer/winter coolant mixes. In extreme cold, there isn't a problem of heat transfer, so very high percentages of antifreeze can be used to prevent cooling system damage. However, if your location cannot possibility freeze in summertime, then the only purpose for antifreeze is as a corrosion inhibitor. WaterWetter can be used as a substitute in this case, or in in-between climates, used in addition to antifreeze to improve cooling.

One other thing to consider in this is that an aluminum radiator has vastly superior heat-transfer properties to traditional copper tube radiators. The new engine for my trusty wagon is known to be a potential overheating problem child. However, using a modern aluminum radiator with a big-block engine is usually more then sufficient to prevent any overheating problems.

So there is some food for thought for all of you load hauling wagon lovers!!

Cheers, Edouard