What is it?:confused: I've had 4 radiators in my '95 LT1 and all of them crack in the same upper section of the driver's side radiator tank. I saw another tread that had an indication that I may not be the only one with this problem. Could there there a problem with my cooling system and is there some sort of fix for this? Please any ideas?

What is it?:confused: I've had 4 radiators in my '95 LT1 and all of them crack in the same upper section of the driver's side radiator tank. I saw another tread that had an indication that I may not be the only one with this problem. Could there there a problem with my cooling system and is there some sort of fix for this? Please any ideas?
There is no fix. Only replacement. Plastic side tanks do crack, but four radiators are too much for 15 years old car! Get all metal one.

are you getting JunkYard replacements? if so maybe you just have some bad luck with the pick'ns
BTW get a metal one ;)

Has your car had a front end accident or severe bottoming out? Is your radiator support even and aligned properly? Are all the rubber supports in place? Are you not overtightening the oil cooler lines (if present)?

There is no fix. Only replacement. Plastic side tanks do crack, but four radiators are too much for 15 years old car! Get all metal one.

A conversation with a local radiator shop indicates that the switch to plastic was done to accommodate the exaggerated heat cycling of cars with electric cooling fans. He said the metal tanks were fine for older cars or trucks with mechanical fans that keep the engine right around the thermostat temp but on cars where the temp can climb to 220° before a fan kicks on, metal end tanks did not provide the kind of durability to all those thermal cycles. His explanation does make some sense.

You sure you don't have some weird stress on the oil cooler lines or something? Or a missing rubber isolator?

What kind of radiators are you using? The stock one in my car lasted 150K. Started to leak at the bottom driver's side tank. As with kevin said I'd check and make sure there's no undue stress on the radiator.

Thank you for the replies. The Rubber isolators are in place. I've had new replacements as well as used ones (the one from the junk yard did last a little longer), all GM parts. No front end damage. The top radiator hose is the only connection on that side. Trans cooling lines are on the other side. It seems to be cracking from expanding outwards. If no other ideas, were should I look for a metal radiator?

I'm told much of the problem with these GM tanks centered on the installation of the oil coolers in these tanks. My car has gone through multiple cracked tanks / radiators as well, since purchase new.



Thank you for the replies. The Rubber isolators are in place. I've had new replacements as well as used ones (the one from the junk yard did last a little longer), all GM parts. No front end damage. The top radiator hose is the only connection on that side. Trans cooling lines are on the other side. It seems to be cracking from expanding outwards. If no other ideas, were should I look for a metal radiator?