WTMFF? Broke My Radiator- Sort Of.

[69hurstolds]

Interesting development. While disassembling the front end of the engine bits, I decided it was time to drain the radiator. Petcock open, no problem, now just to go vent the top to do a good drain. Push the cap in, give it a twist...remove cap, something doesn't look right. There's a brass arc-shaped piece about an inch long sitting in the top of the radiator cap gasket area. Look at the radiator and a piece of the friggin secondary gasket (top gasket) land had broken off the neck! Surprisingly, from what I can see, the innards don't look horrible. But I can't trust just looks. Gotta be tested.

Sad. Anyway, the radiator seems to be in good shape otherwise, as it's had a screen installed in the front of the condenser all its life. No bugs or dents or anything else seemingly bad. Externally it appears to be in great shape.

I believe necks can be sourced for this, and if so, would this below work? Looks like the same thing, but I guess I'm gonna have to do some measuring to make sure. The hose nipple is spot on. Hopefully the hole sizes are the same. Has anyone had to "re-neck" their radiator? Honestly, I've never seen a neck broken before. Had one spring a leak one time, but not busted stuff.

GM Brass Weld On Radiator Filler Neck GM -Solder On 3/8" overflow made in USA | eBay

43mm ID 57mm OD Brass Weld/Solder On Radiator Filler Neck. Filler Neck Top Opening ID: 43 mm 1.70". Filler Neck Opening OD: 57mm 2.25". 1 x Filler Neck. Material: Brass.

www.ebay.com

To note, I have some soldering skills. It is NOT a hugely tough job to do. However, I'd like to take the radiator to a radiator shop and have them clean it and test it, and while it's there, just have them put the neck on it if the radiator is worth saving. Pros are better than me.

Again, like most things, I got an NOS fall back if things can't be fixed...

 

[383_StealthRam]

Wow, that's unusual to just break like that

I don't see why it can't work to solder/weld on a new one from USA made source, looks like the measurements are the most important thing to get right as they appear to come in so many sizes literally 1-2 mm differences. But with so many GM parts back in those days, sizes of just about everything were pretty standard, and consistent across carlines. You know this better than about anyone I've ever met when it comes to parts specs and applications. 👍

I might put the backup in if you got it, get the broken one repaired at your convenience, and then pop it back in the box and back on the shelf. If you're holding it to sell at some point, then maybe not.

Good luck with the repair work.

 

[Bonnewagon]

It's just a matter of soldering in a new neck. But if you even have a GOOD radiator shop left there, might as well get it cleaned out and checked anyway.

 

[69hurstolds]

It's just a matter of soldering in a new neck. But if you even have a GOOD radiator shop left there, might as well get it cleaned out and checked anyway.

Exactly. While it visually looks pretty good otherwise, I'd rather have it tested, and if I'm going to do that, just have them clean it up too. Can't hurt and if it does, then I know where it stands.

 

[Ugly1]

Yup, about a 10-20 minute job. If the shop has any used ones kicking around like I used to charge $5 for the part and $25 for the fix. They crack and break every now and then. Depending on age.

 

[69hurstolds]

Staying with the coolant theme for a bit...

I took off the old thermostat housing and thermostat. Interesting thing about the thermostat bolts for an 84-90 Olds 307. If you have electronic cruise control, the driver side bolt is actually a stud. The passenger side is a regular 5/16-18 bolt, 1.25" long. The stud threads into the intake are 1.5" long. The top side of the stud is 5/16-18 x 0.8". Go figure. If you don't have cruise control, you'll need two regular 5/16"-18 bolts, 1.25" long.

GM bolts are p/n 9440181 for the passenger side and driver side without electronic cruise.

Driver side with cruise takes stud GM p/n 22506338 or equivalent.

Coolant Outlet Housing is GM p/n 409037, superseded to 12302551. It has the curved pipe already installed and is made of cast iron.

Gasket is GM p/n 22547855.

Thermostat is 195 AC/Delco unit, stock regular flow for 307. You're on your own for any other temp or style. GM p/n 3051139.

Bolts. You can see the stud is longer than the bolt. And they are through bolts right into the coolant, so you need to coat them with sealer.