This might sound like a stupid question, but I'm trying to figure out which radiator I have in my '85 Brat. I changed out the thermostat yesterday, and in the process of doing so noticed that it has a 16lb. radiator cap. This sounded high, so I went to the local Kragen and picked up what the book said was the appropriate 13lb. cap for my year - but that cap was way too small in diameter to fit when I compared the two.

 

Dimensions of the cooling area are approximately 23.5"W x 2"D x 14.25"H. It has plastic tanks on both sides (not included in the measurements). The driver's side has a coolant overflow pipe and hose, but no bottle. There are what appear to be capped-off pipes for cooling an automatic transmission on the same side, which I don't have. My guess is that it's a three-row radiator vs. a stock two-row, but does anyone have any idea what it might be? I can post photos tomorrow if it helps.

 

FWIW, it doesn't look like there's enough space for a second fan if I want to fit A/C - it won't clear the main pulley and water pump by at least a quarter- to half-inch.

you got the wrong part becuase you have an 85. ea82's began production in 85 as well.

 

by that note it's likely to be vage on parts such as brakes and axles, as parts stores have their heads in their anus about cross referencing. just be sure you know what you are getting before you go in, or just ask for parts for an 84

you got the wrong part becuase you have an 85. ea82's began production in 85 as well.

 

Understood. But there's a kicker to this:

 

by that note it's likely to be vage on parts such as brakes and axles, as parts stores have their heads in their anus about cross referencing. just be sure you know what you are getting before you go in, or just ask for parts for an 84

 

See, that's the thing - I didn't get this part from the computer; the number was referenced by me from the printed Stant catalogue where the radiator caps live. While I know that that doesn't mean it's necessarily accurate, I'm also curious as to whether or not I have something in there that wouldn't apply to the 1985 model year in terms of stock specs.

The radiator for a 85 Brat should be all metal unless there's an aftermarket supplier that's making them with plastic tanks now a days. It's possible that the original radiator was replaced with one from an other car of some kind and that's why yours has the plastic tanks. Also I've seen aftermarket EA81 radiators come with either size of radiator cap. Basically what you should do is to find a 13lb radiator cap in the larger size.

"It has plastic tanks on both sides" that is your problem

 

the cap should have a pressure rating of .9

Ok - lets clarify all the misinformation here

 

.9 bar = 13 psi.

 

EA82's and EA81's made AFTER 1983 use the SAME cap (for that matter, so do EJ22's). 82 and older use a larger cap.

 

You have an 80 to 82 radiator (probably aftermarket). The pressure is the same.

 

Get a cap for a 1982.... anything. You'll be in business.

 

GD

FWIW, it doesn't look like there's enough space for a second fan if I want to fit A/C - it won't clear the main pulley and water pump by at least a quarter- to half-inch.

 

It will, because the EA81 AC fan is a LOT thinner than the regular fan on the passenger side. In fact it's one of the thinnest stock radiator fans I've ever seen.

 

GD