GL-10 Radiator Q - - UPDATE!

[Sonicfrog]

Real quick. My 87 GL-10 T-Wag is running hot. I'm leaning toward the radiator. I'm going to the J-yard tomorrow (!/2 off sale) and wonder what other rad would work if I find a good one? And how can you tell if a radiator is single or dual core?

 

UPDATE: Went to the yard yesterday and got a radiator, A/C compressor, and a dryer to boot. First the radiator. I really, really lucked out:clap:. I found one on an 86 non-turbo that had been replaced. I could tell it wasn't stock because it still has the "Radicon" brand stamped on it and has a "Performance Radiator" sticker too. I did a poor mans pressure test on the old and new(er) radiators by standing each on its side, return side up, and putting a water hose into the opening so that the water would drain down and out of the cap opening. The old radiator backed up and spit water out the top (where the hose was) while the Radicon drained quite well with no back-up. I straightened out any bent fins with a jewel screwdriver and then blasted the radiator with compressed air then water for good measure. I installed it today and will give it the highway test tomorrow. Drove it to the store (7 mi city traffic) and the needle stayed at 1/8'th, which is already lower than the temp gauge had read with the old one.

 

Now about the A/C compressor. There were eight Subies at the yard matching my model type, 85 - 91'ish. I assumed the compressor woul be similar accros the model line. WRONG! Of coarse I didn't know this until AFTER I pulled the wrong one and brought it home, only to find out the original is smaller than the one I got. Plus the line fittings to the new compressor were different than the old ones. So this morning, after studying the characteristics of the old one, I went back to the yard to exchange the one I pulled with the right one. The only problem was, none of the junked Subie had the right type compressor. So I ended up pulling and buying the proper A/C lines. I was just about to pull out of the Pick-A-Part parking lot when it hit me. I bet the brackets are different between the two cars. I went back in the yard and bought the brackets too. I was right! The two were different and that oversight would have meant another trip to the yard. I got the lines and larger compressor installed, and I got to tell you, it's a tight fit. But it's in. I didn't get enough o-rings for the joints (I'm replacing all the ones I can find), so I won't be able to vacuum and charge the system yet. By this week-end I will have the systen ready to charge and should know if the compressor works or not.

[NorthWet]

Any EA82-type radiator will work (though it yours is an automatic then you should find one with the tranny cooler lines...).

 

Dual row cores are thicker across the core; tanks are the same size.

[86subaru]

if your's is a turbo , i would use a 2row radiator , i just got a new one 132 bucks shipped , and fit great

[mikeshoup]

I wouldn't trust a junkyard radiator in a Turbo. You can get two row radiators brand new for ~$130 shipped. Check out radiatorbarn.com

 

If you insist on getting one from a junkyard, you can tell the two row radiators apart because they will be thick. They fill up almost the full width of the end tanks, however the single rows do not. You'll also need a radiator with the tranny cooling lines if its an automatic (or just hook up an auxillary tranny cooler). Then, when you get it, take it to a shop and have them completely flush the thing of all its sludge that will guaranteed to be in there.

[Sonicfrog]

bump

[Sonicfrog]

Well, the highway test came up aces. The temp stayed steady where it used to approach overheat levels. With the old radiator as clogged as it was, it is no surprise I was blowing radiator hoses. The backpressure at highway speeds must have been very high. Also, the car is running much better, with better acceleration at low speed. I suspect this radiator / heat problem was causing the less than stellar 18 mpg and made passing smog a chore.

[pistolaro]

Hi where did you find the radiator for 132.00 ? I found a heavy duty for

175.00

thanks

chuck

 

c.laketos@bresnan.net

[NorthWet]

...

Now about the A/C compressor. There were eight Subies at the yard matching my model type, 85 - 91'ish. I assumed the compressor woul be similar accros the model line. WRONG! Of coarse I didn't know this until AFTER I pulled the wrong one and brought it home, only to find out the original is smaller than the one I got. Plus the line fittings to the new compressor were different than the old ones. So this morning, after studying the characteristics of the old one, I went back to the yard to exchange the one I pulled with the right one. The only problem was, none of the junked Subie had the right type compressor. So I ended up pulling and buying the proper A/C lines. I was just about to pull out of the Pick-A-Part parking lot when it hit me. I bet the brackets are different between the two cars. I went back in the yard and bought the brackets too. I was right! The two were different and that oversight would have meant another trip to the yard. I got the lines and larger compressor installed, and I got to tell you, it's a tight fit. But it's in....

Different compressors depending on whether it was Factory A/C or Dealer-installed A/C. Factory uses an inboard mount compressor (alternator outboard of compressor), Dealer uses inboard alt/outboard comp.

[Sonicfrog]

Different compressors depending on whether it was Factory A/C or Dealer-installed A/C. Factory uses an inboard mount compressor (alternator outboard of compressor), Dealer uses inboard alt/outboard comp.

 

The factory comps varried from car to car.

[86subaru]

radiator barn , no cap, no thermo switch, no pegs on bottom, but i had all that , 2 row also