Mishimoto Radiator Aluminum Performance 2-Row Manual Transmission 1979-1993

Today we're going to help our project Black Pearl keep cool with help from Mishimoto.

The original radiator in 1990 LX is starting to show signs of failure. So it's a perfect time to upgrade, since we do plan on more horse power in the future. So today, we're going to install Mishimoto's 2-Row Aluminum Radiator, along with the radiator hose kit.

This Mishimoto aluminum radiator will be a direct replacement for the factory radiator on any 1979 through 1993 Mustang with a manual transmission. This is a 100% direct OE replacement with a brazed aluminum core and a brushed finish, and a much larger core to provide much more coolant to do a much better job of keeping our Mustang cool. The radiator hose kit, again, is also a direct replacement for the factory hoses and includes all necessary clamps and comes in a nice matte black finish for more of a custom look.

For this installation you'll need a lift, or a jack and jack stands, flathead screwdriver or 7 millimeter socket, 11 millimeter wrench, and a set of pliers.

So the first step in the process is obviously drain the coolant. So we'll start by removing the cap up top here and then move underneath. Moving under the car, we're going to connect a hose to our petcock and then we can open it up and drain the coolant. Since it's easier to get to down here, we're going to remove the lower radiator hose now, which will help us to drain the radiator. Plus, we're gonna replace it anyway.

Okay. Now we'll disconnect the hose, the water pump side. With the radiator drained now we can actually work on getting it out of the car. The first thing I'm gonna do is remove the bolts that hold our fan onto our water pump pulley so we can remove the fan along with the shroud.

Okay. With the fan disconnected now from the water pump we're gonna actually disconnect the hardware that holds the shroud to the radiator and then remove everything as one piece. In our case this is not the factory hardware, but whatever hardware you have just remove it.

The fan and shroud out of the way now we can remove the upper hose.

With everything disconnected now we're gonna remove the two bolts on the radiator support that hold the brackets in place, and remove our factory radiator.

With the radiator out now we're ready to begin reassembly. Now the kit is going to include bypass hoses. You gonna have the two hoses for the front here, then two hoses for the heater core in the back. We're gonna swap those out next.

While you're here this is also an excellent time if you wanted to swap out your thermostat and gasket, it's right there.

The old hoses off, now we can install our new hoses from Mishimoto. Now, there's two ways you can do this. When you take the factory hoses off, if you know they're in their correct locations simply match it up to the Mishimoto hose. But if you're not 100 percent sure, put the new hose in place just make sure the routing makes sense before you install them.

Now we can move onto the heater core hoses. Now here, particularly the ones on the firewall that attach to the heater core, you want to be careful 'cause you don't want to have to swap out your core. Now, if you have older hoses that are not cooperating, another option is to actually just slice down the edge of the hose. That'll make it easier to remove, because again you do not want to damage the heater core.

Okay. Now we're ready to install our new hoses.

Okay. Now we're ready to drop in our Mishimoto radiator. You want to make sure the insulators on the rail are in good shape, as the radiators gonna sit in there and we're gonna bracket it down.

The original brackets will work. Now, what you're gonna do is the insulator fits over this. You may have to just kind of pull it towards you a little bit since it is a larger core, then reinstall the bolt.

Now we can install the upper hose. Then tighten down the clamps.

Okay. With the radiator mounted now we can install the fan and the shroud. In our case we're gonna reuse the original clutch fan. You want to take a look at yours and make sure it' snot completely worn out. This would be a great time to replace that as well.

You want to reinstall the fan before you put the shroud in place so you have more room to move. Now, if the water pump pulley did move simply remove the belt then you can line it up easier. Before you mount the shroud make sure you get the tank over here. Don't forget to connect the hose on the side. We'll get the shroud connected again.

Okay. Now we'll put the clamps on. We'll put our lower hose up into place, then tighten them down.

Okay. With everything installed now we can top it off with coolant.

The Mishimoto aluminum radiator was a great choice to replace the stock unit on our 1990 LX. It'll work great with the stock engine, but also provide plenty of cooling when we add some more horse power. Like I said, this version here is for your manual transmission 1979 through 1993, and automatic versions also available. The instillation is pretty straight forward. Should take you about four hours, be back on the road in no time.