Radiator replacement didn't get go as I'd hoped

[dparnas]

As was pointed out to me, the original radiator in my 97 LC was living on borrowed time. All was fine, but it was turning brown, so figured I'd take advantage of my son coming up for Fathers Day and knock out the job. Picked up on oem radiator, oem coolant and hoses and was ready to go. Studied this Youtube video and thought I was ready.

But what I quickly learned was that the youtube video was from a rig that didn't still have the original radiator in there, meaning everything was not rusted/fused to the rest of the engine/body of the car. From the very first bolts we removed which were on the belly pan, it seemed like we fought everything. Lots of busted knuckles and penetrating oil was required. Took us 3 hours just to get the damn radiator out of the car (my wife asked me before we started how long I thought it would take and I stupidly said "if everything goes well, maybe 2 hours"), which we celebrated, thinking the worst was behind us. But the hardest thing had been getting the fan off of the fan pulley. The bolts came off without too much trouble, but the fan itself looked like it was attached to the pulley. That's what 27 years of tight metal to metal contact will do I guess. We had to whack it a lot with the rubber mallet and trying to pry them apart with a flat headed screwdriver, being careful not to bend anything. But perhaps some damage was done. When we went to put the fan back on the studs going through the pulley, the pulley was a bit askew I guess due to the tension from the belts. For the life of us, we could not get the fan back on all of the studs because of this. I kept telling myself that once we got all the bolts on and tightened them, everything would line up, but we never got that far. In the end, I may have even stripped one of those studs in my frustration. So, in the end, the car is 95% done, basically just needs the fan and shroud back on the car, then fill with coolant and bleed. But now waiting for a tow truck to take it into the shop to get it over the finish line. In most cases, YouTube videos have been great for me in learning how to do a job. But in this case, I guess I needed a video that specifically was a first time removal of the radiator so that I would have been better prepared for the potential challenges that would present. Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[simple]

"But now waiting for a tow truck to take it into the shop to get it over the finish line."

Ouch. It's basically the ultimate lesson learned. On old vehicles the repair process starts a week before when you start spraying penetrating oil on the area you plan to work on.

 

[Broski]

Or just sell it to me and I will get it past the finish line.

 

[CharlieS]

You shouldn't have tension on the belts when removing and installing the nuts for the fan pulley.

If I had a shop I'd charge triple to fix someone else's screwed up project. And I'd also undo everything they touched and make sure it was done properly.

 

[Fj80oregon]

Why pay someone? But a new water pump they come with the studs and swap it in so you have a new system. Or just buy new studs? I don’t understand why you are paying someone when you have done all the work already.

 

[dparnas]

You shouldn't have tension on the belts when removing and installing the nuts for the fan pulley.

If I had a shop I'd charge triple to fix someone else's screwed up project. And I'd also undo everything they touched and make sure it was done properly.

View attachment 3657282

Uh...thanks? Not sure how that is helpful. Pretty sure I wouldn't take my car to your shop. I double and triple check everything and have wrenched on multiple cars over many years. But when I do something for the very first time, sometimes mistakes happen. Lesson learned.

 

[dparnas]

Why pay someone? But a new water pump they come with the studs and swap it in so you have a new system. Or just buy new studs? I don’t understand why you are paying someone when you have done all the work aThis was my window of time for getting it done. But now that you mention it, I may just do that.

This was the window of time I had to get it done. But you make a great point. If my wife will be patient, perhaps I'll give it a shot next weekend. It's her car, but we don't drive it all that often, so given that everything else is already done, why not? Great example of how some people here can be very helpful (you) and others not so much (you know who you are). Only other time in my 40 years of working on cars I'd have taken it to a shop. The other time was a complete debacle, trying to wire a tiptronic steering wheel on a 2000 Audi A4 about 20 years ago, so that the buttons on the steering wheel would shift the transmission and the person I bought the steering wheel from neglected to send me the clock spring. I was so annoyed at that point after completing all the wiring, that I couldn't get it across the finish line that I threw my hands up and said F it.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

YouTube mechanics lol

 

[Fj80oregon]

This was the window of time I had to get it done. But you make a great point. If my wife will be patient, perhaps I'll give it a shot next weekend. It's her car, but we don't drive it all that often, so given that everything else is already done, why not? Great example of how some people here can be very helpful (you) and others not so much (you know who you are). Only other time in my 40 years of working on cars I'd have taken it to a shop. The other time was a complete debacle, trying to wire a tiptronic steering wheel on a 2000 Audi A4 about 20 years ago, so that the buttons on the steering wheel would shift the transmission and the person I bought the steering wheel from neglected to send me the clock spring. I was so annoyed at that point after completing all the wiring, that I couldn't get it across the finish line that I threw my hands up and said F it.

You can do it loose the belts remove them, fan with water pump, repeat done. AISIN WPT-023 New Engine Water Pump with Gasket and Studs (4) - Compatible with Select Lexus LX450 Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon.com - https://a.co/d/8GmAp1n

 

[dparnas]

You can do it loose the belts remove them, fan with water pump, repeat done. AISIN WPT-023 New Engine Water Pump with Gasket and Studs (4) - Compatible with Select Lexus LX450 Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon.com - https://a.co/d/8GmAp1n

That's awesome. Just ordered it. Thanks so much.

 

[ZackR]

Glad you could vent, this is a good place for it.

The key variable I'm seeing is a lack of time budgeted. As soon as you start running into stubborn or corroded fasteners it's time to break out the penetrating oil and put the wrenches down. Hit pause and come up with a new plan instead of trying to forge ahead with the original plan.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Glad you could vent, this is a good place for it.

The key variable I'm seeing is a lack of time budgeted. As soon as you start running into stubborn or corroded fasteners it's time to break out the penetrating oil and put the wrenches down. Hit pause and come up with a new plan instead of trying to forge ahead with the original plan.

Also youtube might be helpful but I wouldn't take a video of taking things apart and putting them back together in real time they are trying to film a task and some things might be taken apart already and scripted to seam easy. Do you have a factory shop manual to go by.? I would have had a new water pump and hoses sitting with the new radiator ready to go in. If you have future projects I would come here and ask or Google your project and see if the project comes up on mud threads and look into them most projects have already been covered here by forum members and are bot looking for a like or comment to make them a little money on youtube and won't be scripted will also have some problems along the way with usually a final answer to said problems and may have othe useful information like some other parts you may need maybe even part numbers and pictures of said parts. Lots of information here along with members that are willing to help to the end to figure out a solution to a problem.
Tommy

 

[Kernal]

.

 

[Kernal]

oops

 

[jpoole]

We can all hit snags and in my experience working on a schedule with a helper or other person involved only increases the likelihood of doing so.

I would definitely consider taking a breather and then getting back into it this weekend. Spend the $$ you save skipping the tow truck and shop costs by taking her out for a nice dinner or if she needs wheels, renting a fun car for her.

When I was tuning the fan clutch on my 80 I had the fan on/off a few times and ended up cross-threading one of the studs a little. I changed the studs out and it wasn't too hard but wasn't that pleasant a job with the radiator in place. I think replacing the whole water pump is a really good option and it's what I'll do if the studs ever get damaged again.

I think you should work on the long term narrative around your working on her 80 a little. Your being able and willing to do work on vehicles saves you a ton of $$ and makes you much less likely to get taken advantage of by random mechanics etc. It also allows you to drive older rigs that are less expensive and more fun . Shifting the narrative a little could help ease the pressure on your work schedule and make things better on all fronts.

 

[Marco Lau]

I have replaced my radiator with minimal tools and a Napa unit from a 1FZ-FE at the bottom of Cadillac Hills at the Rubicon and it took me less than 5 hrs total to get it running again. ( I didnt have a choice) I was able to remove everything and waited for my buddy to head back to Tahoe City to source a radiator and back with fluid, which took almost 6 hours in itself which was a miracle. We had to finish and continue our trip to Buck Island and RFT loop with a radiator from another model and a 14" puller fan i rigged up because when i blew my radiator, my fan and shroud were also destroyed....the 3F-E finished the trip with the engine running a bit hot, 220F the entire way and stopped to cool at a few spot...The moral of the story is, don't buy a rust bucket and always carry as much spare parts as possible.... It was also testimony of how tough the 3F-E is...I think if i have a 1FZ-FE. i would have blown my head gasket right there and then.

 

[rc51kid]

I didnt read this whole thread yet, sorry. But i agree on replacing the water pump. They are not that epensive and at this point almost 30 years old. Coolant system is so critical in these trucks. The radiator was a good move and i comend you for it. Sorry it was tricky.

If the fan is still out just pull the pump. Eather take the slow safe route and remove the radiator again for easy access. Or slide a few layers of card board infront of the radiator to protect it. Laat thing you want to do is put a hole in it. Also be carful of the little plastuc nipple on the top. Easy to snap off working in that area.

And "while you are in there" i encourage you to replace any coolant hoses that you disconect. Figure you already have them half off. But best of luck.

 

[rc51kid]

You are going tohate me for saying this. But if the radiator comes back out again. Consider also doing the oil pump seal. It is a job that is SO much better to do withthe radiator out.

I am not the best mechanic (maybe not even a good one). But over the years i have found i do much better working taking the slow (often more difficult) route to completing a job. When everyone says a job can be done in 2 hours with the radiator in place, i find i do a better job spending 4 hours, removing the radiator and not stripping bolts or putting a hole in my new radator with a wrench handle. Just take it slow, dont rush and budget lots of extra time.

 

[dparnas]

I didnt read this whole thread yet, sorry. But i agree on replacing the water pump. They are not that epensive and at this point almost 30 years old. Coolant system is so critical in these trucks. The radiator was a good move and i comend you for it. Sorry it was tricky.

If the fan is still out just pull the pump. Eather take the slow safe route and remove the radiator again for easy access. Or slide a few layers of card board infront of the radiator to protect it. Laat thing you want to do is put a hole in it. Also be carful of the little plastuc nipple on the top. Easy to snap off working in that area.

And "while you are in there" i encourage you to replace any coolant hoses that you disconect. Figure you already have them half off. But best of luck.

Thanks. Yes, the fan is still out and a new water pump is arriving today. Already replaced all the hoses. Should be done tomorrow, thanks to this group.

 

[rc51kid]

Good move. I have been saying this for years. I think these trucks have a bad rep for blowing head gaskets. I think it is likely due to coolant systems not working well. The trucks just keep going and we dont service the coolant systems. They get hot and the long aluminum cylinder head probably warps a little and the head gasket goes. Think of a 6ft 2x4 warping compared to a 4ft 2x4. A small bit of warping is exaggerated on the long surface. Not many trucks have a cylinder head this long. Maybe i am looking at it all wrong. But just my opinion.