The radiator of my CRX Si has cracked at the point where the air intake snorkel bolts to it, passenger side. It is a hairline crack about an inch long which I have temporarily "fixed" with JB weld, but I obviously need to replace it. The problem is (if it is one) that the replacements all make mention of whether the existing core is a Denso or Toyo unit. How do you find that out? I did this replacement once before, about 15 year ago, and I don't remember that being an issue then; maybe it was.

Also the isolation grommets or whatever they're called at the top and bottom seem to be NLA; any ideas of substitutes? I can see that the top ones are essentially shot. And finally, what are recommendations for the brand of the upper and lower hoses? Do some fit better than others?

Trying to get everything on hand before I start this. This car is still my every day driver; 310K miles.

 

I replaced my radiator a few years ago. I don't remember having an issue with Denso vs. Toyo. It probably doesn't matter too much. For the hoses, I replaced them all. I used a Mishimoto hose kit which provided 90% of the hoses for the car. It was cheaper than buying all the hoses individually. I wouldn't buy the kit with just upper/lower hoses from them, however. Way too much $$$. Just go with any pre-formed hoses you can find from RockAuto or local.

As for the radiator bushings/grommets... yeah. You probably won't find anything that will directly fit. I bought several from a parts store and had to painfully cut-to-fit the ones on the bottom. Patience and a sharp blade. IIRC there were some hard to access bolts down there near the grommets... I can't remember the details clearly. Maybe you had to install the grommets into a bracket and then bolt it to the subframe? I might have done the same "custom" bushings for the top as well.

 

What do the lower isolators look like so I have an idea of what to get to replace them? Are they like the uppers?

 

Later. I found both the upper and lower radiator mount rubber parts on eBay a bit ago and have both coming. No doubt Chinese but better than nothing. Less than twenty-five bucks for both sets.

 

Got a link? That’s awesome

 

No, I don't have a link. Just search on eBay, there are several there. More lowers than uppers.

 

Another question. After I ordered a replacement plastic radiator a couple of friends of mine made comments about how crappy they are made now. So I'm looking into others. Have any of you had experience with the all-aluminum Mishimoto unit? I'm considering it. My main concerns are it's compatibility with the factory radiator and A/C condenser fans. Also they sell some high-dollar coolants to go with it; are those required or will conventional anti-freezes work?