How To Install An Aluminum Radiator

Carefully lower the radiator into place, making sure to avoid fan and radiator contact. Bent fins and tubes hinder cooling capacity no matter how tiny the offense. Install the bolts to secure the radiator.

Connect the transmission cooler lines using a 1/2-inch box end wrench on each fitting.

Install the upper and lower radiator hoses. Marvin McAfee of MCE Engines suggests using two radiator hose clamps at each end. He also says to buy quality clamps.

Mark Jeffrey of Trans Am Racing recommends 100-percent antifreeze to completely eliminate corrosion. Although it will reduce cooling efficiency, it won't be significant enough to cause overheating. Evans coolant is another suggestion, although it does not come cheap. Evans Non-Aqueous coolant uses no water and never has to be replaced.

Use a 16-pound pressure cap to raise the boiling point. Although we are marginal on using any kind of stop-leak, Motorcraft's Stop-Leak pellets eliminate the potential for minor cooling system leaks.

Watch out for hose chaffing, which can lead to failure.

Each and every radiator tube and fin is important to cooling capacity. Mash them, as people often do, and you hurt cooling capacity.

Always use a fan shroud, with the fan halfway into the shroud.