Radiator crack, Need to find a enw one Options

[Spider77]

Ok, so while getting my celi safety/emissions inspected the mechs came and got me and told me that my radiator was cracked. They said it happened while revin it to 2500 (if you look at my paper work the highest they got it was 1750...freggin motards). I did a search on the forums and I noticed that someone said you could just order the cermaic top/bottom. My questions are how much do these parts run, where can i get them, how do install them? Or would it just be a better bet to get a whole new radiator? Im open to recomendations.
Thanks.

[Bitter]

get a whole new radiator, SPI is a decent brand and is carried at autozone/pepboys.

[Spider77]

Yeah, Im kinda leaning towards that. There is one local thats supposed to be from a 96 gt thats brand new and its only 100. Should suffice till I get a real good one. You guys thinking that I should change out the thermostat while im there?

[trdproven]

Raidators are never fully repairable, just time stallers from my experience. I say get a new one. If you get aluminum radiator they can get as cheap as 300+shipping if willing. Other than that, they go between 150-200.

[Spider77]

I was looking at the aluminum ones, look nice and im sure helps keeps it cooler (or so they say) but for right now i just need something to just last for a little over a year.

[97celiman]

ya i had the same prob it cracked right at the top on the part that goes up to the cap (if that makes sense) really easy to DIY i called several shops and they said it would be cheaper just to get a new radiator...if you are going to go between napa autozone and oreillys go for napa
order from expensive to cheap
oreillys
napa
autozone
i just dont like autozones parts so i went with napa it was like 180 tax included took longer to get the radiator than it did to install : )
fans bolt right up easy peasy

[azian_advanced]

performanceradiator.com

$120.

[Spider77]

I think that I found an OEM one thats pretty close to here for about 100. Right now i have that permatex crap on there. Seems to be holdin pretty well though.

[kel026]

I think that I found an OEM one thats pretty close to here for about 100. Right now i have that permatex crap on there. Seems to be holdin pretty well though.

Dont' trust that permatex crap. Thats what i did but eventually it will leak. I stopped checking it after about two weeks and it let go a month later. My duaghter overheated it and now I have the motor out with bad comression in the cylinder closest to the dizzy. Blown head gasket from overheating. I am doing the rear main seal leak while I'm at it-

[Spider77]

Nah, it was just a little fix to get me through till i got a new radiator. Which sucked. It was easy putting in, but I was going to change out the thermostat. Sadly I didnt realize what a pita that was going to be. Havent done it yet as I have to remove the oil filter to get to the water housing. Next oil change though, flush and change some parts.

[azian_advanced]

changing the thermostat is pretty easy actually. just remove the 3 bolts that holds the A/C compressor, and the 2 10mm bolts holding the water neck housing to the water pump.

[Spider77]

Well, I can get to one of the bolts by the water housing, its the other one thats next to the oil filter for some stupid reason.