Pulling the Radiator

[Anonymous]

Hello All!! I am working on the stang this long weekend. I was going to replace the water pump today and didn't think I'd have to pull the radiator out to do it, but as soon as I loosened the first fan screw I found that there was no room to get it out with the radiator in. I had the radiator replaced for me a few years back, so I don't have first hand experience pulling one out.

My only real question since it seems pretty straight forward is this; do i need to drain the auto trans fluid to disconnect the cooling lines that go to the bottom of my radiator?

This leads me to a related question, should I continue using the radiator as the tranny cooler or should i get a remote cooler and put it in front of the radiator? I figured if I'm down there anyway I'd see what you all recommend. If it is a good idea, does anyone have a make and model of one to get?


My Car:
1965 Mustang w/ inline 200.

Thank you all!
Jim

 

[matt1967]

took me maby 30 mins to pull mine out of my '67 Falcon, hoses, lines and I even had a coolant recovery tank I put on ( week earlier ) to carefully remove ( polished stainless ). for the cooler lines, lots of PB blaster 2 wrenches, 1 holding ( closest to rad ) 1 turning.

 

[Anonymous]

Matt, when you removed the cooling lines, how much transmission fluid came out? Did you need a bucket, or was something smaller ok? I don't want a huge mess when I disconnect them.

 

[Bort62]

you will get a fair amount.

 

[Mercury Mike]

If you have rubber lines going to the radiator, just get 2 pencils, and jab them in there. Remove the 4 bolts holding the radiator. Drain the coolant. If the car's been sitting for a day or so, hardly any fluid will come out. =D If you plug the lines, you'll be fine. I just got a new motor put together in the last two days in a quick-status R&R deal, and it will go super, super fast. There's 4 bolts, should have welds on the support with the nuts, but may have just nuts instead of the welds, and it will come right out. No problem. =D

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your input!! Do to rain and an internet outage, i haven't had a chance to see the responses since last night, nor attempt the removal. Things are clearing up, so i think I'll be able to tackle this today still. Thanks again!
Jim

 

[Anonymous]

One more question, pulled the radiator and the lower hose does not have a spring and does not seem to be reinforced or rigid, which I recall reading on the forum that it should have/be. Does anyone know the part number for the correct lower radiator hose?

 

[wallaka]

I've never had a problem with it not having a spring. The hose is short enough to withstand the suction. Besides, the spring restricts flow

Actually, a lot of hoses are reinforced anyhow, so they do not require a spring.

 

[Anonymous]

Just an FYI,

When I had to pull the water pump out on my '66 Mustang 200, I was able to remove it without pulling the radiator. Yes, I could not simply pull the bolts out of the fan, but by loosening all of the bolts I was able to remove the fan, spacer, and bolts as a unit.