Adding Insulation to Radiator without re-installing

[DocuDude]

Installed a new radiator last year, but was so exhausted I didn't think to install new foam insulation.

As summer is coming, what's the best way to install insulation without having to take the radiator back out?

Any recommendations on foam?

Best places to place the new foam?

Thanks

 

[Kernal]

You could loosen the mounting bolts for the radiator and lean it rearwards
a bit then stuff foam weatherstripping into the gap. Having said that it doesn't seem all that critical to have the foam or not around the radiator IME. More important is having a functioning fan clutch.

 

[retrofive]

You could loosen the mounting bolts for the radiator and lean it rearwards
a bit then stuff foam weatherstripping into the gap. Having said that it doesn't seem all that critical to have the foam or not around the radiator IME. More important is having a functioning fan clutch.

I was pissed and frustrated doing back to back radiator jobs (first one was faulty out of the box). I didn't bother to install the foam. I never noticed a difference and never had any heating issues. Heck, I didn't even run a fan shroud for a couple years. Flame suit on. But that was my experience.

 

[mikedamageinc]

I used a couple different styles of the AC stuff at home depot, one just plain round and another of the double d style. Squeezes right in there and stays put. Coolants temp are perfect.

 

[bhsdriller]

Ya no foam here either and no issues

 

[NLXTACY]

I’m going to be the naysayer, if you live in a hot climate, like say...I dunno, LA, do the foam. It keeps the air flow concentrated through the fins of the radiator and prevents it from escaping out the sides. That escaping air is lost cooling potential.

 

[LXDOC]

I jammed open cell foam around edges. It is interesting that the foam on upper edge of radiator will be partially blown out due to air pressure in front of radiator (and not transferring heat).

 

[DocuDude]

My original radiator finally got a crack last year.
Normal level highway temps were low 180s
My new Koyo is 188-192 on level highway

Either a new koyo is less efficient than a 24 year old OEM radiator, or all that foam insulation.

Insulation for three spots?
The strip on top
the bottom
and the sides?

 

[Heckraiser]

I just used some crap laying around my basement. As mentioned before, you could probably loosen the bottom bolts and remove the top nuts, lean the radiator back and stuff it in without removing the radiator. My foam was so old it had lost most of its stickiness, so I had to stuff bits back in before I tightened down the shroud, which then held the foam in place.

 

[greentruck]

Get a good quality foam, because the heat in the engine bay will cause otherwise it to deteriorate more quickly. I used some stuff similar to the pic Heckraiser posted. Mine may have been closed cell, as that tends to push the air around it (thru the radiator) rather than pulling it through it.