Alternate Radiators?

[lannvouivre]

Are there other radiators that might fit the '85 Tercel? The heater core is corroded shut, so I am iffy on the condition of the one I've got now. The fan is also aftermarket and ...kind of just strapped to the old fan shroud or something. Not entirely sure, actually, I need to look at it since it will be going on soon. I just remember it looking kinda dumb and the harness was full of water due to careless installation.

Naturally, I plan to use my infrared temperature gun to check for cold/hot spots on the radiator with it installed and running to see if it's actually plugged, but I'd like to see if there are any options in the radiator category, as it seems there's plenty of room for "activities" in that engine bay.

[Petros]

you might try boiling out the heater core with vinegar for an hour and flush it out with a garden hose. If it is corroded away you did not really lose anything important, if it is just scaled and plugged, it might clean it out enough to use without having to remove it. I just flushed mine, and used one of those hydraulic nozzles that pulses water through it to use water hammer to break loose the scale and clean it out. now I finally have heat in my Tercel!

ditto the radiator. If the core is actually corroded away, it can either be repaired by a radiator shop, or replaced with a an all aluminum imported radiator (about $120). Any model tercel radiator from '83 to 86 will work, though you will want to look for a double row one (thicker core, about 1.25" thick). Many people replaced the Tercel4wd radiator with the single row (about 3/4"" thick core) because it is cheaper, but if you live in a hot climate area it may be inadequate for high speeds or long up hill runs in the summer, though otherwise they seem to cool good enough. The auto trans tercel must get the double row radiator or it will run hot because of the extra demand the trans cooler puts on it.

There might be other larger radiators that an be adopted to fit, but that would take a lot of time walking around a wrecking yard with a tape measure so find one that is larger, but will still fit, and have the hose outlets in the correct place.

[lannvouivre]

Wrecking yards are really awesome. The local one is owned by a kinda grumpy guy that I am rather terrified of and it doesn't seem to have older cars. I think adapting another radiator might not be so bad. Anyway, the main reason for my curiosity is because other cars have more options for performance.

I already had the inlet or outlet of the heater core snap off (very easily, like rotten wood) and it's packed so full I had to double-check with Paul to make sure I'm not just crazy. I'll have to take pictures, it was impressive. We got a replacement already. I should weigh each.

[Petros]

..the main reason for my curiosity is because other cars have more options for performance. ...

not many people wanted to "hot rod" a Tercel from the '80's. Even back than, unlike Nissan, Mazda and Honda, Toyota actually discouraged people from improving the performance of the Tercel. They did not want that "image" for their entry level car (stupid them, the entry level cars for Nissan, Mazda and Honda were raced, modified and were popular "econ-perferformance" cars). It helped sell their entry level cars.

So there are lots of way to get a larger radiator into the car, though the double row radiator is actually has a very large cooling capacity. If you want more you will have to jury rig...err, "custom fit" something else that is larger into the car. You can also go to the specialty shops and have an all aluminum "racing" one fabricated for you for a mere $700 or so.

[lannvouivre]

Toyota actually discouraged people from improving the performance of the Tercel.

TOYOTA said that?! SHOCKING! (sarcasm--they are so boring, even today--except the Sienna, that thing is the sportiest car in their lineup they engineered)

I want to look at the radiators from a Hyundai Veloster turbo and a Honda Del Sol, but alas, those are not common. Perhaps when I buy a yacht.

$700 sounds like what I'd expect, so I'd rather find one relatively similar, common, and just gently rig it in. http://www.jegs.com/i/Be-Cool-Radiators ... tId=761932

By the way, the heater core wasn't as plugged as I thought, but it was leaking! I spent a good 30 minutes gently wiggling and tugging on the housing for the evaporator, and then found out I WAS ON THE WRONG HVAC HOUSING

[simon84]

I found a radiator from a Camry that is wider and has the hoses in the right places. It fit into the tercel just fine. I had to make a modified mount for one end since it is wider. It takes up most of the width in the front. Not sure if it is a double row or not. I can post pics if anyone likes. It might have a part number on the top as well.

[lannvouivre]

Please do.

[irowiki]

Yeah but "takes up most of the width in the front", is a no go if you are keeping the AC.

[lannvouivre]

I think I could shift the condenser further forward and rig something to mount it.

I also looked at the aftermarket fan wires and decided I can cut off about 1.5' of extra wire (PO just folded it up and taped it...?)

[4wdEconoBox]

I would like some pics simon, also what year camry did it come out of?