On my 98 4.0l I am replacing the radiator. I got a new one (the $100 one) from advance auto. I've double checked part numbers all the dimensions and hose fittings seem correct, but the threaded studs/bolts sticking up for the crossmember don't line up at all. There are 6 sticking up on the new radiator while only two on the old one. Has anyone had experience with this?

 

I'm having a hard time visualizing six. 4 of them are for the rubber isolators that you take off your old radiator so you end up 2 studs that go through the crossmember. The other two may be for securing the condenser tot he radiator?

 

Not sure about OE, but most aftermarket radiators have 6 studs for the insulators, the center one on each side goes in the center of the insulator (there is a slot in the insulator for it, it does not go all the way through), and the others go through the holes in the insulator and take the bolts that hold the insulators on. Then the studs (1 ea.) built into the insulator are what will go through and get bolted to the rad support.

To the OP: as md21722 stated you need to remove the rubber insulator blocks fron the top of your old rad and install them on the new one they are what go on those studs, if the insulator blocks are shot you can get new ones at the dealer or on line (some auto parts stores may have them but they are a bit of a "specialty" part).

 

i remember thinking the same thing. of the three studs on each side, the two inner ones are for the rubber isolator that you will have to get off your old radiator. the last outer stud is for a strap that connects the ac condenser to the radiator. if you dont have the rubber isolators any more, you can get them from quadretec. they are like $10 each for replacements. I just had to get them because the stud in the isolator spun out of the rubber.

 

Thanks for the intel I knew there was something I was missing. I'll get it all together tomorrow.

 

I just installed one from advance yesterday and everything line up perfectly.

 

Got it all worked out thanks guys