I have a stock '89 SC with about 100 K mi. This is what happened...
I just started down the highway, heard pinging, saw the "Check Gage" light up, and saw that the engine was hot. When I slowed, the radiator cap let off steam, and when I finally came to a stop the pressure in the system popped the radiator - split it at the top solder seam.
I expect that I blew a head gasket, but haven't confirmed that. The oil is clean - no coolant at all when I drained it, so I expect no damage down there. I need to get my radiator fixed or replaced before doing the watch-for-bubbles test.
Two questions...
1) What's a good source for a new radiator? Do we have a 2 row or three row? I'll check these prices against the repair price. I still need to call around for that.
2) Assuming that I confirm blown head gasket, how difficult is it to get the heads off? Can I do it without removing the engine? Is there anything I should do machining-wise while the heads are off?
Thanks in advance, John
I just started down the highway, heard pinging, saw the "Check Gage" light up, and saw that the engine was hot. When I slowed, the radiator cap let off steam, and when I finally came to a stop the pressure in the system popped the radiator - split it at the top solder seam.
I expect that I blew a head gasket, but haven't confirmed that. The oil is clean - no coolant at all when I drained it, so I expect no damage down there. I need to get my radiator fixed or replaced before doing the watch-for-bubbles test.
Two questions...
1) What's a good source for a new radiator? Do we have a 2 row or three row? I'll check these prices against the repair price. I still need to call around for that.
2) Assuming that I confirm blown head gasket, how difficult is it to get the heads off? Can I do it without removing the engine? Is there anything I should do machining-wise while the heads are off?
Thanks in advance, John