Fast240Z

my Z has always had a problem with overheating since she was first given to me. I used to have to put water in her all the time, because the radiator had a small leak. I found a radiator for sale on ebay, and bought that, but when it came in the mail, UPS had cracked both outlet tubes on the radiator. They insured the product, so UPS cut me a check for the damage. I took it down to a reputable radiator shop, and for $40 they welded the holes shut, pressure tested it, and cleaned it. The radiator specialist told me the radiator should cool some more than the older one, but it might still have some small issues here and there.

I noticed that after this last time the Z went down because of it's warped head, it had a crack at the bottom of the radiator. I'm planning on buying a new aftermarket radiator, and I'm curious if this is going to solve my overheating problems. I don't want to finish putting on my freshly shaved head and have it become warped again because the radiator won't cool effectively.

I am going to be swapping out the stock 2 row radiator for a larger 3 row aftermarket radiator. I have heard some people say that the more rows the radiator has, the more cooling efficiency it has. I have also heard that the whole more rows = better cooling was crap from other people. What is the truth? The only kind of radiator I can get aftermarket is going to be the 3 row, so I guess it should have better cooling efficiency.

I guess my main question is this: with a new radiator, should it solve my overheating problems?

theramz

Jeremy, I have a 3 row in mine and even on the 100+ days it stays below the half way mark on the gauge. I have a 180 degree thermostat and after driving for a while I can still put my hand on the radiator. Get the three row and forget it. Also you should add a coolant overflow reservoir.

Fast240Z

thanks for the reply tom. I do have a coolant overflow bottle, but I'm unsure as to how it works. It has two hoses on it, one on the top and one on the bottom. Where do these two hoses go?