Flex-a-Lite 52181C3 Corvette Radiator & Fan Kits User Manual
Page 2
Remove fan shroud.
10.
Note: Rotating the fan shroud will help with removal.
Disconnect the small overflow hose from the barbed fitting attached to filler neck of radiator.
11.
Note: This hose routes back to the Expansion tank.
Remove the lower radiator hose from radiator outlet tube and move out of the way.
12.
Disconnect both transmission coolant lines from radiator (if applicable). Cap / plug lines to prevent
13.
transmission fluid from draining out.
Remove cap from filler neck of old radiator.
16.
Note: Save cap, it will be used with new radiator.
Remove the long & narrow plate at top of radiator support sandwiched between the top radiator mounting
17.
bracket and radiator support.
Remove foam strips located along both sides of radiator support opening.
18.
From below the vehicle, and with weight of the vehicle on the ground, remove bolts (4ea.) securing front
19.
sway bar bushing brackets. Lower front sway bar then remove and discard splash shield plate.
Warning:
Removal of sway bar bushing brackets without the front suspension under load could cause injury.
(see Detail F)
With splash shield plate removed, place supplied spacer blocks between vehicle frame and rubber bushing
20.
of sway bar. Reattach sway bar bushing brackets to frame with supplied longer 2” bolts & washers.
(see Detail G) The purpose is to lower the sway bar enough to provide adequate clearance for the new
electric fan assembly. Space blocks are necessary on both #52180C3 and #52181C3 kits
Installation instructions continued from previous page
Note: For automatic transmission equipped vehicles.
We chose not to install a transmission cooler within our radiator’s side tank. This maximizes the cooling
efficiency of both your engine and transmission. If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission,
you will need to install an aftermarket transmission cooler.
We have developed an auxiliary direct fit
transmission cooler kit for the Corvette 68’-82’, part #4116C3.
Flex-a-lite makes a full line of transmission coolers along with customized mounting options.
For more mounting options, call Technical Assistance at: 1-877-767-0554 or FAX: (253) 922-0226.
or visit www.flex-a-lite.com
Rev. 07-30-12 99181 Page 2 of 6
Radiator top mounting bracket.
(Detail D)
(Detail E)
Bottom bracket with rubber
grommet seated within.
(Detail F)
Sway bar bushing
bracket.
(Detail G)
Sway bar bushing bracket
with spacer block.
Remove bolts (2ea.) securing mounting bracket that holds top of radiator. The bracket is located top center
14.
of radiator and attaches to engine side of radiator support.
(see Detail D)
Remove radiator from vehicle by carefully lifting up and out parallel with angle of radiator support.
15.
Note: The bottom of the radiator is held in place with studs and rubber grommets that align with brackets
at bottom of radiator support. These grommets will be used with the new radiator. If the grommets are still
attached to the old radiator you will need to remove them and re-seat them back into the lower radiator
support brackets.
(see Detail E)
Note: If installing kit #52181C3, verify rubber cushions within lower cradles have remained in place.