ZZP Radiator!!!

Our radiators tend to fail first on the endcaps like you describe.

This is because the plastic is constantly flexing during heating and cooldown cycles. Sooner or later.. crack.

The nice thing is they usually don't blow all the coolant and leave you stranded. They tend to seep/leak, you notice it and fix it.

It is also possible to have the tanks replaced. However it's tough to find anyone willing for the cost of a new radiator.

Yeah, I think I just might replace it. Heres the ebay link.. What do you guys think? Is this the right part?

link

So I installed the Radiator on Sunday. The radiator I bought off of ebay was perfect and looked like an OEM replacement. It took me about 1 1/2 hours and went fairly smooth except!!

I saw a smaller radiator thing (a/c radiator/condenser) in front of the Radiator that looked like it was supposed to come off with the radiator. So I start unscrewing the metal line from the a/c condenser and it starts spraying a clear oily liquid fluid. I quickly put it back on before it all leaked out. That was my only problem!

Ridin-Rivi wrote:

So I installed the Radiator on Sunday. The radiator I bought off of ebay was perfect and looked like an OEM replacement. It took me about 1 1/2 hours and went fairly smooth except!!

I saw a smaller radiator thing (a/c radiator/condenser) in front of the Radiator that looked like it was supposed to come off with the radiator. So I start unscrewing the metal line from the a/c condenser and it starts spraying a clear oily liquid fluid. I quickly put it back on before it all leaked out. That was my only problem!

yea, you dont want to touch the a/c condensor but I guess you figured that out

Just ordered a proliance 1 3/8" alum. radiator from rockauto.

Total shipped price $188 and some change.

Total from ZZP shipped, $256 and change.







Hmmmmm. I can't see a difference.

Do not buy this radiator. The hole for the temp. sensor is bigger than the hole on the stock radiator, so the temp. sensor will not fit into it. Also, my lower hole for the tranny line was a different thread pattern than the nut on the tranny line, so now I have 3 options.

Cut the tranny line, swap out the nuts, and re-flange it,
Run an external tranny cooler and fill the tranny lines on the radiator with bolts
Or, try to find a coupling for the two threads.

Well it's in, with a very slow tranny fluid leak due to a poor seal between the threads. Took alot of modification.. definately not worth the effort. Tomorrow i'm going to just put an external tranny cooler and plug off the ones on the radiator.

Does anyone think I have any possible recourse because of those threads.. I mean that's some shady ass shit to send me a radiator with fucked up threads on it. The top one threads up perfectly and the bottom just will not thread, so I had to take a 3/8" male to female brass fitting, then a 3/8 to 3/8 coupler, and on the one side where the tranny line threads, is where the leak is, I went over it with jb weld for now until I get my tranny cooler radiator and hoses later today.

They probably will say you stripped the threads during install, but the temp sensor could be reason for return if you had not installed it.

Why are you plugging the holes for the trans lines on the radiator?

Because I won't be using them, i'm running the lines to an external trans cooler, just preventing dirt and whatnot from getting in there, not a permanent plug, just a brass 3/8 plug fitting.

Quote :

They probably will say you stripped the threads during install, but the temp sensor could be reason for return if you had not installed it.

That's retarded because I never once got it to actually thread, not even cross.

You know that, but you can't prove it to them - unless you think it's impossible for anyone to thread it on. Hard case, imo.

Bleh just put a tranny cooler in, no leaks. Took about 15 min in the pouring ass rain.. I had no choice because I have to drive to work tomorrow, and I live in an apartment

Ok so i'm a little late on this... but my last car i bought a radiator at Autozone , and it fit perfectly and came with a lifetime warranty. I did eventually have a cap on the thing fail not like a radiator cap but a plug for a hole , went back to autozone and they gave me a new cap right there, no haggling or anything.

Also bars aluminum radiator seal ( comes in a small clear bottle and is silver in color ) works wonders.

Any pics of the trans cooler install?

Got the radiator and fans all tightened down, I had to shear up and bend some aluminum at work (best place to custom make anything, any machine you could ever ask for) to make brackets to hold everything in place, it actually looks pretty nice. Due to a different goose neck on the radiator, the shroud can't go back on until I notch it out, which I might not even do.. I guess I was the guinea pig on this one, I wonder if zzp's is the same or better quality? I'll take pictures tomorrow of everything, replacing some ENT under the hood, (red baby )

Used core, somewhat beatup and temporary zip ties holding the top down, haven't had a chance to make the top bracket yet.

radiator is leaking. shop price $355.00 for everything what do you guys think?

Not a bad price if it includes labor, and they warranty the work.

That includes everything, they also said for $10 more i can get a thicker core. Should i get that?

i picked mine up from oriley's for $200, and it only took me 45 minutes to do it. if you have a basic set of sockets and a set of wrenches then you will be able to ackle this job its not that hard. o and sum pliers for your spring loaded hose clamps.

what kind of radiator fluid should I use.

I prefer to use DexCool (Prestone version is fine) and USE DISTILLED WATER not tap water!!!

There is a radiator sold on Amazon that is rumored to be 1 3/8" thickness compared to our stock, which is 1" thick. Part number is 432387, made by Proliance brand. Not sure if it fits the Riviera, but it fits the W-Bodies:

http://www.amazon.com/GDI-Proliance-432387-New-Radiator/dp/B000C8EQVE

Shipping is very low at $6. Might be worth trying if someone is looking for better engine and transmission cooling. ZZP sells a similar size model at $199 + ship.

AA wrote:

There is a radiator sold on Amazon that is rumored to be 1 3/8" thickness compared to our stock, which is 1" thick. Part number is 432387, made by Proliance brand. Not sure if it fits the Riviera, but it fits the W-Bodies:

http://www.amazon.com/GDI-Proliance-432387-New-Radiator/dp/B000C8EQVE

Shipping is very low at $6. Might be worth trying if someone is looking for better engine and transmission cooling. ZZP sells a similar size model at $199 + ship.

Amazon also sells the ACDELCO 20805 radiator for $210.66 with free shipping.

This radiator will work on a 95 or 96.

I purchased one and it was a perfect fit for my 95.

I have the thicker one on my '96 and I swear it dropped the temp gauge 5-10 deg.