Originally Posted by CBR.worm
I did a radiator replacement with a good (Denso) aftermarket radiator, only to realize that the mounting posts weren't in the right spot compared to the OE ones, and the core was thicker. initially, I thought the thicker core could only be a plus. As I was putting it together, I could see things that didn't touch the front of the old radiator were pressing into the fins. The radiator mounting points on the aftermarket radiator were about .250" rearward from where they were supposed to be, in addition to the thicker core. And this was a PM job, everything was fine before I started aside from the OE radiator having 180K miles and 14 years of age. I ended up moving the mount points on the car about .5" back and epoxying the old mount holes. But, what should have been a 1 hour job turned into a good part of the day.
I have many other similar stories, but this one was recent and could have been totally avoided if I bought the OEM part for not much more money.
I don't like doing jobs twice unless there are many years between them.
With 180k and 14 years on it you probably would have had a failure soon, so while you had some trouble. with the install with the aftermarket you probably saved yourself a really inconvenient problem. I also wonder if you received the incorrect replacement part Denso Perfect Fit models are supposed to be 100% non-modified install jobs.
I did a radiator replacement with a good (Denso) aftermarket radiator, only to realize that the mounting posts weren't in the right spot compared to the OE ones, and the core was thicker. initially, I thought the thicker core could only be a plus. As I was putting it together, I could see things that didn't touch the front of the old radiator were pressing into the fins. The radiator mounting points on the aftermarket radiator were about .250" rearward from where they were supposed to be, in addition to the thicker core. And this was a PM job, everything was fine before I started aside from the OE radiator having 180K miles and 14 years of age. I ended up moving the mount points on the car about .5" back and epoxying the old mount holes. But, what should have been a 1 hour job turned into a good part of the day.
I have many other similar stories, but this one was recent and could have been totally avoided if I bought the OEM part for not much more money.
I don't like doing jobs twice unless there are many years between them.
With 180k and 14 years on it you probably would have had a failure soon, so while you had some trouble. with the install with the aftermarket you probably saved yourself a really inconvenient problem. I also wonder if you received the incorrect replacement part Denso Perfect Fit models are supposed to be 100% non-modified install jobs.