i need some expert mechanical assistance.  my radiator in my '78 is leaking somewhere and i have yet to find it.  i threw a power steering belt back in sept on my way to missouri and i think it may have dinged it on the way out.  i have checked several websites about getting a new radiator and i think i may have to mortgage my house.   and some of the guys that i work with want me to put some of that bars leak stuff in it.  also, is it hard to get the darned thing out?  i do not want to have to take my hood off.

Do you see moisture outside the radiator?  Or are you losing coolant but can't see any wet spots?  If you see wettnes, try adding some bright food coloring to the radiator, and watch for where it first gets colored.  If you don't see wetness, you may have overheated enough to blow a head or intake gasket.  Sometimes you can see bubbles in the radiator, but if it is just leaking from the cooling passage to the intake, you won't see that.  You may have to warm up the engine, then pressurize the cooling system and listen all over for sounds, or look for leaks.

It is possible to replace the radiator with the hood on, but it is worth the trouble of taking it off.  Put tape on the hinges and hood, and draw lines to get it back in the same spot.

Good luck!

 oh yes, there is a puddle leaking out toward the left side of the car.  and yes, whenever i drive it, i usually have to add antifreeze to it.  i have also noticed it leaking out on the parking lot at work.  i will try the food coloring thing.  i never thought of that.  you all are so helpful

Karen, Ten152008-01-30 05:28:52

  thanks.  my sister and i are going to undertake this adventure.  we put exhaust manifold gaskets on my truck and that took us about 2 hours, so we figure we can tackle most anything.  i also have a manual with pictures, maybe that will help too

Hey Karen. If you just dinged the radiator it may be repairable. I would bring it to a good rad shop and have them check it out. I own a radiator shop by the way. Re-coring if done right would be the way to go to keep it looking original. $350.00 isn't too bad of a price considering the increase in core prices due to the price of copper. Pulling the radiator isn't too big a deal, but as the guy's said, pulling the hood off does make it easier, however I have pulled mine more than once with the hood on. Just get the fan out of the way so you can pull the shroud out. The rest isn't so bad. Let me know if I can help. Terry M my7T12008-01-29 21:24:26

ok, i won't use the bars leak.  i was a little afraid of it anyway.  if taking the hood off is not a big issue, then i may go on and do that.  the car usually runs around 200 degrees when it is warm out.  i have never overheated it and boiled it over.  the car is by no means original(different front and rear clips)also, warmed over engine. terry, do you think that this is something that my sister and i should be able to do?

Well Karen. If you guy's are mechanically inclined, which it sounds like you are, You can handle it. You will need to get under the front of the car to open petcork, pull lower hose, and you may have 2 bolts on each side holding the bottom of the shroud. If it is an automatic you will have 2 trans. lines going into the pass. side rad tank. They can be tricky to break loose plus it is a tight fit. Let me tell you this. One of the best mechanics I've known was a very small girl. She was good at getting in small places because her hands were small and she was real agile. Look it over real good before takin it on. Hope this helps. Terry M my7T12008-01-30 13:34:49

I am glad there are more women willing to dig in to car projects.  When one of my daughters was mid teens, all her male friends asked her to diagnose and/or fix their cars.  She and her husband are currently fixing a smashed 74 coupe I just bought.  And I too take advantage of her small hands to reach things on my cars. 
I usually loosen the shroud and push it back to the engine, leave the fan on, and just lift the radiator straight out.  You need to maneuver it a little to get the lower hose outlet past the suspension.

Dig in and have fun!
Larry