Automotive radiators cool the hot liquids from an engine through their coils then circulate the cooled fluid back to the engine to cool it. Radiators are made of metal with an outer shell at the top and bottom and a core with fins in the middle. The most common reasons for needing a new radiator are rust and holes. If you need to replace a radiator, you should know how they are sized and typed.
Instructions
Size
- 1
Measure the total width of the old radiator from the top of the radiator. The width is the thickness of the radiator from front to back on one top corner.
2Measure the total height of the old radiator from bottom to top at one corner.
3Measure the core size in width and height. The core is the middle part of the radiator, not including the solid metal on the top and bottom. The core is smaller in height and width than the overall height and width.
Type
- 4
Observe the radiator with the hood open for the inlet tube position. The inlet tube is the small tube on the top of the radiator. If the inlet tube is near the radiator cap, it is a top flow radiator. A left inlet is on the left side of the radiator while sitting in the driver's seat. A right inlet is on the right side of the radiator while sitting in the car.
5Observe the radiator outlet tube on one of the bottom corners. If the radiator outlet tube is on the opposite side of the inlet tube, the radiator is a cross flow style. Right inlet cross-flow radiators have the inlet tube on the right. Left inlet cross-flow radiators have the inlet tube on the left.
6Order or purchase a new radiator by the overall size, core size, the type and the configuration.
