The radiator in a 1976 Corvette lowers the temperature of the coolant circulating through the engine, pushed via the water pump. Over time, if not flushed on a regular basis, the radiator can form pinhole leaks and lose effectiveness. You can also damage your radiator in a front-end collision. Fixing the problem means that you have to remove the radiator from the car to either get it fixed or replace it with a new radiator.
Tools Used: Drain pan, Assistant, 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set, Line-wrench set, Flat-head screwdriver
Remove Radiator
Allow the Corvette to cool down before you do anything to the car. Put the drain pan under the front bumper by the radiator. Open up the hood and remove the radiator cap. Open the petcock at the bottom of the radiator and let the coolant drain out of the radiator.
Remove the transmission cooler lines using a line wrench and let the fluid go into the drain pan. Unbolt the hood from the hood hinges using the ratchet and socket, then remove the hood from the car with the help of an assistant. Unbolt the hood hinges from the car using the ratchet.
Reach in through the wheel well and unbolt the six radiator support bolts from the chassis using the ratchet and socket. Unbolt the radiator support bolts from the bottom of the chassis with the ratchet. Pull out the radiator center brace.
Remove the hose clamps from the upper and lower radiator hoses with the flat-head screwdriver. Pull the hoses off the radiator and point them towards the drain pan to let the coolant spill into the pan.
Tilt the radiator towards the engine. Lift it up and out of the engine bay.
Tips & Warnings
Don't work on the radiator of the vehicle if the engine is hot. You risk seriously burning yourself.
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