My radiator gave way in the trails. Good that I had an eye on the scangauge and stopped before it was too late. Added a gallon of coolant and limped back to where i could get a towing.
New rad is on its way. Will put in new expansion tank and water pump while I'm at it. Fan clutch came off easily with just a tug using a channellock and a screwdriver ( it had been replaced 2 years ago).

But the lower oil cooling pipe fitting going into the rad is corroded and seized to the pipe I've ordered a replacement since i think i'll havec to cut it or may break it.

I expect the other end under the engine to be ok since it's pretty oily (praise those small leaks) and should be easy to remove. I plan to plug the engine side while i swap the pipes, hoping not to lose too much oil in the process.

Is there anything else I should be looking out for?

Thanks for any hint

 

the only oil you will lose is whats in the coolers and lines not whats in the engine, engine off it drains back to the pan except what the filter holds back

soak the fittings a few times with good spray lube

while rad is out spray the condenser with degreaser and hose it out from engine side so it blows the crap back toward the grill

 

good idea, I'll do that for sure.

Thanks