Radiator Foam Liner

[landtoy80]

I pulled the pieces of foam that lines the old radiator. How do I get it to stick to the new radiator or do I get a new one?
The plastic liner of the foam is gone so I guess I need to get some new foam with stick. What will stick and handle the change in temp?

 

[offroad 80]

double side hightemp tape

 

[landtoy80]

double side hightemp tape

Hardware or parts store?

 

[azTony]

That comes with a Toyota replacement radiator.

 

[coax]

When I replaced the '97 radiator with an earlier toyota model, the foam around the front of the radiator was included. The thicker piece for the bottom between the crossmemeber and radiator was not. IIRC the part that the dealership found for that foam piece was for mid 90's 4runner. If I'm looking at the right receipt it was part 88578-89126, $2.16

 

[landtoy80]

That comes with a Toyota replacement radiator.

Thats why an OEM one costs $400 more than a aftermarket one

 

[zx9r]

The Koyo I used as a replacement didn't have the foam. Used FrostKing weather seal foam that has one side that sticks (got idea from someone else on forum). Any HW store will have it and it's guaranteed for 10 years (certainly not for automotive use but at least that made me feel it will hold up for a while).

So far so good. Only been a couple months so we'll have to see how it holds up after a year or more.

 

[Tools R Us]

I use weather strip foam from the hardware store. The main thing to look for is waterproof, closed cell, the normal stuff sucks up water, becomes floppy and falls out.

 

[jeepocabra]

Does the foam really even do anything? The only thing that I can see it doing is sealing off the air flow from going around the top and bottom. However most vehicles don't have/need this. I cant see the little amount of air flow making much difference.

 

[Chaldaean]

...weather strip foam from the hardware store. The main thing to look for is waterproof, closed cell...

x2

Also, if you wanted to re-use the stuff from the old radiator, I've used 3M Spray Adhesive with good results.

 

[TEXLEX450]

good thread. I have been wondering the same thing as the foam on mine was needing to be replaced - even before I wrecked my vehicle. Good info to know for when I install the next radiator.

Thanks,

 

[landtoy80]

x2

Also, if you wanted to re-use the stuff from the old radiator, I've used 3M Spray Adhesive with good results.

Will the 3M stick to foam? There was a plastic film on the foam but it has fell off. If it was still on it I could see it sticking but the 3M would have to be quite thick to be able to soak up into the coarse foam.

 

[landtoy80]

Is there or does there need to be foam in the motor side of the radiator between the shroud?
I see there is a gap and wounder if the OEM radiator used foam on both sides of the radiator?

Went to Ace and found some one sided closed cell foam in a 1/2" x 10" roll. There was still a gap at the top of the radiator. There was just enough to put the rest of the foam on the cross member so now there is no gap.

 

[corsair23]

Kurt,

My foam on top of the radiator was long gone when I bought my LX...Didn't think too much about it until I read that having it in place aids cooling (forces more air through the radiator vs letting some leak over the top).

I tried a strip of weather stripping (rectangular shaped) that you put around doors etc. That worked for awhile until the stickiness wore off and it slipped. I assume it got eaten by the fan and spit out somewhere along the line

Now I'm using some stuff called "backing rod" that I had lying around...Can't remember what size I have (maybe 1/2" or 3/4") but it is a tight fit and it has stayed in place for about a year now even without any adhesive...It is thick enough that you really have press it down good.

 

[fj80toyman]

Careful using that cheap hardware stuff. On the 80 that I replaced the radiator on, it had that stuff and the top plastic tank cracked right along the line where the adhesive was. My "theory" is that the adhesive weakened the plastic thus causing the crack.

No scientific evidence but the crack was perfectly located along that line - coincidence? Maybe, but not worth the risk for me.

My 2 ...

Dan.

 

[landtoy80]

There is a 1/4" gap on between the shroud and radiator. I think this gap is more important to seal than the gap on the out side of the radiator.

I had the same brand radiator as the one I just installed and never had a cooling problem, the temp never gets hot. But now that I look at it, that gap can let a lot of hot air from the motor flow in between the radiator and shroud. If one was towing up a big hill/mt., that may make the difference between getting to the top OR getting too hot.


I don't have the plastic tank. The one I have is brass or something like that. Its metal and is non magnetic and is brass in color.

 

[landtoy80]

I filled the shroud gap with foam. There were a couple holes in the radiator frame that worked great for tightening down the old cracked shroud.

 

[zx9r]

regarding the foam sticking to the radiator or it possibly leading to cracks, when I did my replacement, I stuck the foam to the frame side instead. Since it was a fixed, flatter surface I could control placement better anyway. Also did so on the shroud instead of the radiator itself.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Based on experience the foam on top tends to rot out the top of the radiator. More important is a rubber or foam strip between the radiator and the fan guard to prevent electrcal problems between dissimilar metals. Also maintain the rubber insulating bolts holding the radiator to the cruiser.I have also found that the plastic top Toyota radiators to be poorly built and can not recommend them. 2 cents Mike

 

[grizzlygibbs]

I read on here a member used expanding foam in a can and trimmed and painted it after it dried. Seems like a good alternative.