76 LS radiator replacement help

[funkamedic]

Hi guys

So my radiator is stuffed. It started pissing coolant from the inlet the other day after a decent drive. I removed the inlet hose and half of the the inlet bit came away with the hose.

So I guess my options are getting the radiator repaired/reconditioned or getting a OEM/aftermarket newey, or getting a custom one made. I have done some google searching and I haven't yet seen a radiator for sale that matches mine in terms of the location of the inlet/outlet, expansion tank hose outlet, thermo switch, and being a non-top-fill type (most i can find are US or EU eBay). Even Haynes only has a pic of a top fill rad.

I assume mine is a standard 76 LS type radiator, but wouldn't really know to be honest. As you can see in the pic below the rad has the main inlet and outlet on the left hand side (when standing at the front of the car looking aft) and expansion tank outlet and thermo switch are on the right.

Can someone help point me in the direction of a replacement, or give me some advice as to the easiest/best/cheapest way to get this sorted? i.e. OEM newey, aftermarket newey, get current one re-built, get a radiator place to build me one.

Annoyingly I actually have a brand new "mk1 radiator" that I bought of another VWW'er, but it has the outlet/inlet on the right (whereas it needs to be on the left)? My bad for not checking before buying it of course

Any advice much appreciated! Thanks in advance

[Peter Jones]

Radiator places can get these in for about $300.

If you buy one from O/S it'll be delivered for about 1/2 that price.

German Auto parts sells them for US$87 postage would be at worst $100.GermanAutoParts.com : Volkswagen Rabbit Cooling

Another option is full alloy ones out of china there's heaps of these on e-bay you've just go to know what to look for.

Aluminum Radiator VW Golf GTI Jetta GLI Scirocco Rabbit Cabriolet 8V 16V 80 92 | eBay

[Petska84]

I just purchased a new one from nat rad for my cabby $130 with a 2 year warranty.

[funkamedic]

Thanks Peter! From what I can see, both the German Auto Parts and the eBay radiators u linked to there have the expansion tank outlet on the left (forward looking aft), which is the opposite side to my current broken rad, so I'd just have to run a longer hose? Also, the site says the rads listed are for "Rabbit, '83-84, including GTI" - but that would be OK for my '76? The fan and shroud will affix OK?

Thanks for the lead Petska! that's a pretty good price. Might check out that option too.

[funkamedic]

I just purchased a new one from nat rad for my cabby $130 with a 2 year warranty.

A quick question ... was that the price fitted or did you do the install yourself? Thanks!

[funkamedic]

I just gave Nat Rad a buzz and they don't have replacements rads for anything as old as mine (maybe because your cabby is a later model?). They could do a re-core but that could cost me up to $500, so it looks like German Auto Parts or eBay will be the go.

[Peter Jones]

The MK1 golfs are all the same, even a MK2 radiator will work.

All that varies is the width of the radiator.

A '90 cabrio radiator will work fine as will an '85 MK2 radiator.

The fan shroud might not be wide enough but even VW just bridged the gap with some simple steel straps.

2 of my MK1 golfs are running MK2 radiators. and , yes, you just run a longer hose to the expansion tank.

[funkamedic]

Thanks once again Peter! Much appreciated

[Petska84]

Yeah. just get a price on a cab radiator and run the longer hose to the tank. But everything else is the same.

don't let them sting you for more then $150.

[funkamedic]

Yeah. just get a price on a cab radiator and run the longer hose to the tank. But everything else is the same.

don't let them sting you for more then $150.

Cheers Petska! I'll give them another call.