Pulling my radiator - basic question

[Mike's money pit]

Well, I am undertaking my first minor project on my truck. It's a 1972 Cheyenne that sat for about 15 years before the original owner's son had it tuned up and sold it to me. It had the water pump replaced a couple of weeks ago and the last time it ran, the radiator developed a leak. The fluid is leaking out the middle area on the front at a pretty good rate.

I have drained the radiator and detached all of the hoses. I have the two metal lines to the transmission still attached. Before I detach these two lines, should I pull the plug on the bottom of the transmission and drain it? Or I thought I might be able to pull the lower line from the radiator at the transmission and drain it there. I am trying to avoid dumping trans fluid in the garage and I don't think I can catch it at the lower hole on the radiator with the frame in the way.

I know this is basic stuff, but this is my first mechanical repair and I would appreciate a little guidance.

Thanks,
Mike

[asolde]

You should be able to take the two lines off at the radiator with very little fluid loss.

[68gmsee]

There will be some residual fluid from the radiator reservoir also so if you're concerned about fluid on the garage floor go to an automotive store and buy one of their big wide spill containment pans. Pic below is from ACE Hardware.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by asolde

You should be able to take the two lines off at the radiator with very little fluid loss.

Yes -- I had little to no ATF loss when I replaced my radiator a few years ago. If you don't get a tray like 68gmsee posted, just place a few rags around the area at the ends of the hard lines before detaching them.

[Mike's money pit]

Hey guys, thanks for the quick input. I took the lines off and caught a drop or two in my rags. I am planning to take it to a shop tomorrow so they can patch the hole. I appreciate the help.

Mike

[cdowns]

but if you let the fluid and other crap just leak out on the garage floor you can proudly post picture in a few years when the garage floor patina craze hits

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by cdowns

but if you let the fluid and other crap just leak out on the garage floor you can proudly post picture in a few years when the garage floor patina craze hits

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by cdowns

but if you let the fluid and other crap just leak out on the garage floor you can proudly post picture in a few years when the garage floor patina craze hits

Heck! I should be able to jack up the price of my place a bunch then! No fake junk patina either... all the cracks, stains, chips and chunks out of the floor were rightfully earned!

Gary

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by cdowns

but if you let the fluid and other crap just leak out on the garage floor you can proudly post picture in a few years when the garage floor patina craze hits

Hey guys, maybe you can help me.

My shop floor is so virgin it makes me feel like a rookie. I was thing of adding a faux-tina look to my floor. What do you think, should I brush on the fake oil stains or dab them on with a rag ? I don't really want to go to the trouble of building a bunch of cars over the years to get the genuine thing. Any help would be appreciated...

<just wanted to be the first guy on the bandwagon>

[Tinkermc]

you can a;ways put a rubber hose from 1 line to the other and stop any loss

[MIKECHEVY69]

not trying to hijack your thread but i was curious if anyone knew if the radiator needs to be drained and totally removed when swapping out the core support?

[mikey2409]

Yeah the radiator needs to be completely drained cause you need to remove this hoses to pull the radiator from the core support during your swap
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