2nd Gen Radiator Install Details?
Thread Starter
Lives on the Forum
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,359
Likes: 14
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
2nd Gen Radiator Install Details?
I've tried a few different searches, but I have yet to find a detailed description of the installation of a 2nd Gen radiator into a 1st Gen...
I found a lot of posts from those who have done it, but need some more detail. Anybody have some good pics to show what cuts are made, etc.?
I'm going to try to find one this weekend, because like half of the copper fins fell out of mine when I removed it for repainting...
Thanks in advance!!!
I found a lot of posts from those who have done it, but need some more detail. Anybody have some good pics to show what cuts are made, etc.?
I'm going to try to find one this weekend, because like half of the copper fins fell out of mine when I removed it for repainting...
Thanks in advance!!!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
ok people, after some serious serching I found these threads:
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/2nd-gen-radiator-1st-376198/
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/fc-alum-rad-fb-348789/
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/2nd-gen-radiator-329142/
and a few others, all with very minimal amount of actual help. Steve84gstii has posted quite a few times pictures of his setup, which is close, but not actually what I (or kentetsu) is looking for. If anybody has any full, write-up type pictures (pictures of old radiator, deletion of radiator, fabrication/installation of new brackets, multiple angles of installed 2nd gen radiator, etc etc etc) I would appreciate it very much. If I cannot get these types of pictures, or if nobody offeres them I will try to make my own write-up in a few weeks when I get home and try this on my own. Feds, now is your chance to post those pictures
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/2nd-gen-radiator-1st-376198/
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/fc-alum-rad-fb-348789/
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/2nd-gen-radiator-329142/
and a few others, all with very minimal amount of actual help. Steve84gstii has posted quite a few times pictures of his setup, which is close, but not actually what I (or kentetsu) is looking for. If anybody has any full, write-up type pictures (pictures of old radiator, deletion of radiator, fabrication/installation of new brackets, multiple angles of installed 2nd gen radiator, etc etc etc) I would appreciate it very much. If I cannot get these types of pictures, or if nobody offeres them I will try to make my own write-up in a few weeks when I get home and try this on my own. Feds, now is your chance to post those pictures
Trending Topics
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 37
From: Ottawa, Soviet Canuckistan
Another question that came to mind is :
When mounting the 2nd Gen rad, what about your oil cooler? How big is the 2nd gen rad compared to the 1st gen rads (with and without oil cooler underneath).
I'd love to mount a 2nd Gen rad, and keep a 1st gen oil cooler (less hassle to mount, methinks).
Jon
When mounting the 2nd Gen rad, what about your oil cooler? How big is the 2nd gen rad compared to the 1st gen rads (with and without oil cooler underneath).
I'd love to mount a 2nd Gen rad, and keep a 1st gen oil cooler (less hassle to mount, methinks).
Jon
More Mazdas than Sense
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 0
From: Sunny Downtown Fenwick
Mine is in straight up. Instalation goes something like this:
1: remove old rad.
2: throw away L-shaped pieces that hold the rad in (the ones that "hug" the rad to keep in in the car
3: cut the bent fitting on the 2nd gen rad such that it becomes a straight fitting.
4: re-make the hose barb with JB weld or something
5: bolt the rad in, lining up holes in the rad to weld nuts that used to hold L-shaped brackets.
6:Use factory upper rad hose
7: make lower rad hose from short lengths of aluminium tubing, hose clamps, and corners cut from random hose bought at Canadian Tire.
If I ever get my car together, I'll do a photoshoot.
1: remove old rad.
2: throw away L-shaped pieces that hold the rad in (the ones that "hug" the rad to keep in in the car
3: cut the bent fitting on the 2nd gen rad such that it becomes a straight fitting.
4: re-make the hose barb with JB weld or something
5: bolt the rad in, lining up holes in the rad to weld nuts that used to hold L-shaped brackets.
6:Use factory upper rad hose
7: make lower rad hose from short lengths of aluminium tubing, hose clamps, and corners cut from random hose bought at Canadian Tire.
If I ever get my car together, I'll do a photoshoot.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Monterey CA.
My old radiator is leaking and since I happen to have a 2nd gen one lying around I plan to install it within the next week or so. It depends on when I can free up some spare time. I was planning on pretty much going into this experimentally since I didn't have any acual instruction on how to do it. Any info you guys could post would help alot.
Is there an advantage to mounting it slanted like in the second gens?
For the moment I'm just part of the choir but when I do end up installing it (assuming I'm succesfull) i'll take some pics and post 'em here.
Is there an advantage to mounting it slanted like in the second gens?
For the moment I'm just part of the choir but when I do end up installing it (assuming I'm succesfull) i'll take some pics and post 'em here.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Feds, I have seen that you have a vertical installation. I heard that the rad is quite a bit longer than the stock rad... do you ever have problems with clearance? Does it stick out the bottom farther than other components? Thanks.
and sean fb, from my understanding, the only reason to slant it would be to fit it in better, i.e. without banging it against the ground or speedbumps, correct me if I'm wrong.
and sean fb, from my understanding, the only reason to slant it would be to fit it in better, i.e. without banging it against the ground or speedbumps, correct me if I'm wrong.
Thread Starter
Lives on the Forum
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,359
Likes: 14
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Hey Feds
Any more detail on this part?
"4: re-make the hose barb with JB weld or something"
Is this referring to the little coolant line that feeds the water type oil cooler?
Thanks!
Any more detail on this part?
"4: re-make the hose barb with JB weld or something"
Is this referring to the little coolant line that feeds the water type oil cooler?
Thanks!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 10
From: Drifting a Roundabout near you!
I'm just getting started on my conversion, also putting in a new cross tube due to mine being bent. Moving my FC oil cooler and putting on SS oil lines and Aeroquip fittings with the conversion fittings from Racing Beat. Also moving the battery behind the passenger seat and making a airbox for the front airdam to direct all the air through the radiator and oil cooler.I'll start a photo journal to share with you guys.
More Mazdas than Sense
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 0
From: Sunny Downtown Fenwick
Hmm.. Rad fits fine. My car is an '85 12A car, your results may vary.
As for the hose barb, the upper fitting on the 2nd gen rad is bent, so it goes like this:
___
__..\
....\..\
with a hose barb (little ramp that keeps the hose on) at the open end.
In order to make the rad fit, you have to cut the fitting so it looks something like so:
____
___
Then you need to re-create the hose barb, since you cut it off, so you just lay a bead of JB weld or whatever around the outside circumference of the remaining fitting.
Oh, and I've converted to an aftermarket oil cooler that is mounted on the big tubular cross member in front of the rad.
As for the hose barb, the upper fitting on the 2nd gen rad is bent, so it goes like this:
___
__..\
....\..\
with a hose barb (little ramp that keeps the hose on) at the open end.
In order to make the rad fit, you have to cut the fitting so it looks something like so:
____
___
Then you need to re-create the hose barb, since you cut it off, so you just lay a bead of JB weld or whatever around the outside circumference of the remaining fitting.
Oh, and I've converted to an aftermarket oil cooler that is mounted on the big tubular cross member in front of the rad.
Last edited by Feds; Apr 20, 2005 at 02:04 PM. Reason: Stupid Asci Art!!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 10
From: Drifting a Roundabout near you!
Well I ran into a major problem, the FC rad does not fit very well, it is very low, almost even with the oilpan and the bottom connection to the water pump is blocked by the engine mount. The FC rad also needs spacers to keep it off the swaybar. I am going to order a 3 row short rad and just use the stock mounting. Too much trouble in my opinion. The replacement of my tube crossmember was easy compared to trying this.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 10
From: Drifting a Roundabout near you!
just ordered mine, for a 81' total cost with 2 day UPS was $135. www.radiator.com