1996 850 1994/96 850 radiator swap

94+96_850 · Post by **94+96_850** » 11 Oct 2015, 14:22

I have the ever popular side-tank crimp leak... Can a 1994 non-turbo radiator (new one) be swapped into a 1996 non-turbo? Do they both come out the same way, from the botton or, the '94 from the bottom and the '96 from the top?

Post by **misha** » 11 Oct 2015, 14:38

If cars have the same transmission(auto or manual) they are the same and...yes,they comes out from the bottom.
Radiator from a car with auto transmission can be installed into car with manual,but radiator from manual transmission CAN'T be installed into a car with auto transmission.

Post by **erikv11** » 11 Oct 2015, 23:27

What misha said. If these 94 and 96 NAs have the same trans, then the radiators and their connections, brackets etc are identical.

The rads can go out the top or out the bottom, whichever you prefer, but yes you can do them both exactly the same way.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 12 Oct 2015, 06:47

The N/A radiator is easier from the top in IMHO.

Be careful removing the mounting bolts. The captive nuts have a tendency to break loose and it is a half day job to cut the old bolts out. PB blaster the crap out of the mounting bolts the night before you start and it can help. The left side is usually the worst since battery acid works on the bolt over the years. Working the bolts back and forth as you remove them can also prevent them from binding.

...Lee

Post by **erikv11** » 12 Oct 2015, 09:52

Ozark Lee wrote:The N/A radiator is easier from the top in IMHO. ...

I totally agree. Well with his whole post actually.

94+96_850 · Post by **94+96_850** » 17 Oct 2015, 12:43

Thanks for the info but, I'm still a bit confused. Can the radiator core come out from the top on both cars or, do I need to put the '94 on ramps to take IT out from the bottom and the "96 doesn't need to be on ramps and IT comes out from the top? (both cars are non-turbo with automatic transmissions) I'll be sure to PB the mounting bolts.
Thanks for your help...

Chris
Maryland

Post by **erikv11** » 17 Oct 2015, 13:13

Those two cars are the same as far as pulling the radiator.

The rad can come out the top or the bottom. Top is easier, no ramps required unless you need them to get your bucket under the drain location.

Post by **misha** » 17 Oct 2015, 18:45

To me....it was easier from the bottom,but i have access to a garage with built in channel.

94+96_850 · Post by **94+96_850** » 18 Oct 2015, 17:22

Thanks for the info...I'll try pulling the 'good' radiator out the top of the '94 first. Its always been garaged, had tons of PM and has no real corrosion.