radiator replacement cost

[pv269]

Hi:

I don't have time to replace my own radiator in 81 C20 Scottsdale Manual transmission , is an old one, leaks, and the hose tubes feel as if they will bend out.

Very close to total uselessness on this radiator.


I'd be fine to go with some kind of HD radiator, perhaps with transmission cooling lines if I'd go to automatic.

What can I expect to pay for a good radiator?

Ebay OK?  I see a lot of them for low $$$$ new.

What would be the aprox replacement labor?

Nothing else will be changed as all lines and ancilaries are new.

Lots of questions upcoming as I will be doing some upgrades.


thanks!

pv2

[frogman68]

If its stick it should not take you a hour from start to finish if replacing the Radiator change the hoses I normally would stick a 5 gallon bucket under the bottom hose then slice it then start unbolting the shroud and the top bracket and out it slides (after cutting the top hose)

[team39763]

I'm not sure what labor cost would be...probably an hour of a mechanic's time....at maybe $45/hr.  I've seen radiators go for around $130-150 for the newer model stuff on Ebay. 

[Irish_Alley]

it depends on if you have a/c (manual) about 120 "one row". w/o a/c 160 "2row", and if you want to have a automatic rad it would be w/ a/c about 240-300 "2 row"  w/o a/c about 170. about 2 bucks per hose.  and team39763 was about right some shoppes go for 65/hr it would probably take them one hour "but" they will charge you for 3 hours, then lets say you stayed with the manual w a/c the rad would of cost you 120 but your "trusty shop tec" charged you 240 for the same rad they bought at autozone. when i worked there i delivered parts to dealerships and private shoppes on there invoice we gave them it would tell them their price and the retail value of the part and guess what they would choose the value of the part was always 2x as much as what they paid for it. so this lil job for a rad replacement would be about 500 with a shop.

[Lt.Del]

Go w/ a four-core radiator.  The difference in cost is minimal and you already have to do the labor.  I paid $199.00 for my 4 core when I threw my 383 stroker in the truck. You never know what you may use your truck for in the future.  The 4 core w/ keep her cool no matter what.  Especially if you have AC.

There should be a good radiator shop in any medium sized metro area. I have a couple of good radiator shops within 5 miles of me. Tell them what you need, and they may have it in stock, or, have to get it from their warehouse the next day.

Two hours tops for the whole job. Get new hoses while you are at it.  Heck. throw on an external trans cooler while you are at it so your trans will last forever.

www.delbridge.net/install