I am trying to replace the radiator in my 1982 280ZX Turbo coupe. After removing all the hoses, the upper and lower fan shroulds, and the radiator bolts, I tried to lift the radiator up and out. It comes part way, but then the lower radiator mounting brackets hit the metal pipes leading to and from the Air Conditioning condensor mounted in front of the radiator. These two pipes are at the same height on each side of the radiator, and no amount of positioning the radiator will let me get it out. Should I just 'force' it out, making the pipes spread a good half inch on each side? I have both the FSM and Haynes and neither mention this detail. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

I didn't read anything about you removing the actual fan... You shouldn't need to, but if you can't move the radiator enough to clear the a/c tubes, pull the fan. It's just four 10mm nuts. Then you can push one side of the radiator back more & clear the tubes.

 

the radiator should lift a half inch and then you can move it away from the rad support toward the engine. At that point you should be able to turn the radiator a little. I just swapped radiators a month ago with the AC condensor still in and I didn't run into any trouble like this.

 

Thank you for your replies. The FSM doesn't say that the fan should be removed before the radiator can be pulled - in fact it says the opposite. But I couldn't get it out. I think that removing the fan will give me enough room, so I'll try it. Actually, I'm replacing the water pump, fan clutch and pulley, along with the radiator, so it's no extra work. I just hope nothing's 'out of wack' as I shouldn't have to do it.

 

Get out your tape measure and measure the distance from the firewall to the radiator brace on both sides of the engine and then measure them across the top of the engine in an X pattern from corner to corner.

If one side is shorter than the other, you have a bent body.

Usually, significnat clearance issues are the result of body repairs that weren't quite up to factory specs.

However, there are variations from body to body right out of the factory, so don't freak out if they're off by a little bit.

Check for other signs of body repair, like bent sub-frame's, bent radiator supports, both upper and lower, headlight buckets that don't quite line up anymore, etc.

 

I've got the body alignment/measurement specs on my computer if anybody needs a reference.

 

Thank you all for your help. Removing the fan before the radiator solved my problem. Still not sure why the FSM says the opposite order, but I got the job done, including the water pump and fan clutch. I will try the measurements that were suggested and see if I have a problem.

This forum is great - this novice really appreciates it.


79 Sold
82 Turbo Auto Coupe

 

Wahoo!