leaking radiator

[loquito]

My wife informed me the LC was leaking, so up I got, and sure enough my baby is leaking, And I was so close to leak free
So the radiator is leaking out of the Upper Tank. The top strengthening rib on the hose side right at the 90 degree were the rib meets the top of the Upper tank is a long barely noticable crack going from near the radiator cap twards the end of the radiator . It wasn't there yesterday, or it least is was not leaking so I never looked that hard. There is a proceedure in the FSM but I'm so I'm not sure I wouldn't create my own leak if I did the job and it leaked around the O ring.
Is this a part that should remain OEM?
Its a shame the inside of my radiator looks brand new at 140.000
Thanks in advance for any advise
steven

 

[Scamper]

Stephen,

You can screw around with radiators, trying to repair them, and maybe you can get it to stop leaking. But IMO, when such a critical element of the cooling system goes bad, I think it's better to replace it than fix it (other than short term fixing that is). If you guess wrong, the penalty is much more expensive than the price of the radiator.

I don't know your model/year (put it in the sig line?) but I'm assuming a later model 80 series. If you decide to replace it, Dan can hook you up with the older and less expensive copper radiator rather than the aluminum one you may now have; in any case, his price is right.

 

[loquito]

I just had a conversation with my wife and we both agree with you Scamper
I have a 91 so I am sure I can get one.
Trying to save some money and gambling my motor, Ill get new.
Steven

 

[erics_bruisers]

here's my radiator experience on my '91 -- i would replace it with OEM, and then some, while you're in there --

e

 

[loquito]

Hi Bruiser
I was hoping you would chime in, Your the other person posting frequently about a 91.
Thanks I figured up a parts list already.
Steven