It is time to change my Radiator on a 1990, 4.0 liter 2wd Aerostart. Any hints to doing it well or which radiators to get or stay away from would be appreciatted.

I also will be changing the Thermostat so help there would also be great.

Thanks,

John

 

This is probably a little late to be of use unless you've procrastinated like I have. I didn't have any opinions on radiator brand until now. I've previously used GoDan (once) and ordered one for the van. However, when I got ready to do the job, I noticed that one plastic end cap wasn't crimped on properly - 4 tabs in a row were not crimped such that the end cap would be held to the core. Needless to say, I didn't put it on. I bought a Modine from a repair shop for less. The opinion at the shop was that Modine was better - that's all they used. Anyway, I still inspected the radiator before I left the shop. As a side note, the Modine was made in the US, the GoDan in Mexico. Any coincidence the quality was better on the US made part? You decide.

Here are some hints based on my experience:
1. Have two extra 8 mm u-nuts and two 8 mm X 42mm bolts on hand before starting. My van had spent some time where the roads were salted so the radiator bolts and u-nots got stripped when I removed them. I had to then make a trip to the hardware store in the middle of the job.
2. If your AC hose goes over the fan shroud, remove the AC compressor and place it where the air cleaner assembly is or someplace else where the hoses won't be in the way. Just make sure you don't force the AC hose into too tight of a radius. This will also require you to remove the air cleaner assembly, serpentine belt.
3. The fitting that screws into the cooler has pipe threads. You'll need teflon tape or teflon pipe thread sealer. Follow directions and don't over-torque the fittings or you'll damage the tranny cooler. The flared fittings on the tranny line don't need any thread sealant.