Radiator

[Foster48x]

So, the radiator on my 80 FI sprung a small annoying leak a month or so ago on one of the lower seams. I bought 2 more radiators on the cheap off of ebay and just got around to replacing the leaking one this weekend. To my surprise, after picking one of the two and cleaning it all up, I find out the fan from my original one doesn’t fit on the new one . So I measure the radiators and find out that the two I bought are smaller than the one out of the car. The 80 FI is 21 1/2 inches wide (not counting the tabs) and the two used ones are 19 3/4 inches wide. What did I buy? One from a pre 79?

Seeing as how it's going to cost me at least another $60-$100 to get the leaking one fixed I'd like to try to fabricate some custom brackets and use one of the smaller ones in the car if possible. Can it be done without any adverse effects?

Thanks,
Rick

[azygoustoyou]

Yeah you got an earlier year radiator. Besides the size difference and the tabs needing customized. They should work fine.

[Foster48x]

Thanks Brady! I'm off to fabricate some brackets.

Rick

[So Cal Mark]

the problem is that the 2L motors needed more cooling capacity, hence the wider radiator. Going to the smaller unit will probably be okay in the winter months, but I wouldn't recommend it for summer driving. Unless you live in England with cool, drizzly summer days

[kilrwail]

Just remember, they made them bigger for a reason. The 2 L engine requires more cooling than a 1.8.

[azygoustoyou]

I guess that's an important point. I didn't know.

[Foster48x]

Thanks for the input guys. I guess I'll be ok until summer when it starts pushing 100 deg every day .

[eddy314]

I had a 79 2000 radiator with a huge leak. Took it to a local radiator shop, he repaired and pressure tested it for $60. Works great. Better than buying an unknown from ebay.