Radiator Question
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Radiator Question
So, Red has a radiator that is from an automatic tercel and I think it is also a single row radiator. It was only in the mid to high 70's yesterday and Red ran a little on the hot side while I was tooling around with 3 of my friends in the woods. I'm going to track down a new radiator eventually. However, I was wondering if the automatic radiators have less cooling capacity (space dedicated to tranny cooler) than one from a manual that is causing this to happen? Cooling Fan works fine BTW.
Pandas: Eats, shoots and leaves.
Re: Radiator Question
don't think the a/t hardware would have any effect on the cooling- that's related to the the fins and rows of the radiator. the a/t stuff is all in the bottom tank, which does negligable cooling. from what i've seen, no body makes a m/t specific radaitor for any car (cuts production and stocking costs.) good luck!
if it aint there, there's a good chance it won't break!
83 SR5 Silver/Blue (Snowmobile/work beater)-totaled but drivable
85 SR5 Blue
88 SR5 White (the 'good' one)-not anymore-totaled
87 fwd silver wagon a/t
87 4wd dx Cream (a/t- not anymore- now m/t)
83 SR5 Silver/Blue (Snowmobile/work beater)-totaled but drivable
85 SR5 Blue
88 SR5 White (the 'good' one)-not anymore-totaled
87 fwd silver wagon a/t
87 4wd dx Cream (a/t- not anymore- now m/t)
- ARCHINSTL
- Goldie Forever
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- My tercel:: Goldie is a 1986 SR5 attualmente con Weber/also owned the first T4WD in STL in late '82
- Location: Kirkwood, a 'burb of St. Louis
Re: Radiator Question
I thought all of the OE radiators, whether sedan or wagon, AT or MT, had the AT setup at the bottom. I know my '86 OE is that way and I'm pretty sure my '83 was as well (I had to remove that latter one back in '85 - Thank You, Beloved Sister).
Now, this is far out, but Hey!
Could a non-operable AC condenser be used to increase cooling capacity? OK to laugh...
Tom M.
Now, this is far out, but Hey!
Could a non-operable AC condenser be used to increase cooling capacity? OK to laugh...

Tom M.
T4WD augury?
"Oh, do not ask, 'What is it?' Let us go and make our visit."
T.S. Eliot - "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"
"Now and then we had a hope that, if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates."
Mark Twain
"Oh, do not ask, 'What is it?' Let us go and make our visit."
T.S. Eliot - "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"
"Now and then we had a hope that, if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates."
Mark Twain
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Re: Radiator Question
I'm not sure about the AT hookups. I don't remember it being on any of my other tercels and I spent a bit of time underneath them, one I'm sure was an OE radiator and I think the other one was too. I guess I'll have to look at some when I'm at the junkyard next.ARCHINSTL wrote:I thought all of the OE radiators, whether sedan or wagon, AT or MT, had the AT setup at the bottom. I know my '86 OE is that way and I'm pretty sure my '83 was as well (I had to remove that latter one back in '85 - Thank You, Beloved Sister).
Now, this is far out, but Hey!
Could a non-operable AC condenser be used to increase cooling capacity? OK to laugh...![]()
Tom M.
I think you might have too much of a restriction in the line to get proper cooling, though mounting a 4AC radiator might be possible with some welding skills.
Pandas: Eats, shoots and leaves.
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- My tercel:: '86 SR5 6 speed
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Re: Radiator Question
I can weigh in here, as my car may be a sort of litmus test for smallish radiators. I've had a Koyo single row rad with a/t hook ups in my car for the past coupla years. Even in 100 + degree heat (now 29 days in a row!) with the a/c on and in stop 'n' go traffic it can keep the coolant temp at half on the gauge or less. I thought of using the a/t ports to increase cooling capacity but declined because it is not necessary.arbskynxnex wrote:I was wondering if the automatic radiators have less cooling capacity (space dedicated to tranny cooler) than one from a manual that is causing this to happen?
I think your cooling problem may lie elsewhere, good luck.
It's a scientific fact that in a twin engine aircraft, when one engine fails there is always enough power in the remaining engine to make it all the way to the crash site.
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- My tercel:: 1983 4wd Wagon
Re: Radiator Question
I had the double row in my terc when I got it. It got a hole in it and I replaced it with a single row one from an sr5. Never had any cooling problems with either. I would make sure your rad isnt clogged, and definitely have enough water/anti freeze in it.
My LTD ran super hot all the time when I first got it. The aftermarket temp gauge I installed started leaking around the threads. Im talking HOT. 280 I think. I took the cap off, (stupid i know) and a geyser shot out. Filled it back with water and havent had a problem sense. Running normal temp now. Apparently the geyser cleaned all the crap out of the rad.
I dont recommend that method, lol.
Have also toyed with the Idea of adding vents in the hood to allow the hot air out. Less hot ait in the engine bay means more cool air the fan can push in.
My LTD ran super hot all the time when I first got it. The aftermarket temp gauge I installed started leaking around the threads. Im talking HOT. 280 I think. I took the cap off, (stupid i know) and a geyser shot out. Filled it back with water and havent had a problem sense. Running normal temp now. Apparently the geyser cleaned all the crap out of the rad.
I dont recommend that method, lol.
Have also toyed with the Idea of adding vents in the hood to allow the hot air out. Less hot ait in the engine bay means more cool air the fan can push in.
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Re: Radiator Question
Thanks guys, I think I'll see about getting it cleaned/replaced (fluids are good) once cash allows.
Pandas: Eats, shoots and leaves.