I hate to try to migrate every post from the Planet here, so I’m going to just start off with a progress update and photo.
Over the last 2ish months, the radiator developed a crack in the end tank at the top directly below where the rubber flap/seal sit on the core support. This lead to overheating at idle and obviously loss of coolant. A replacement from RockAuto got me back on track, though an important thing to note is there is a change in the middle of the '99 models, if your Rodeo (and I presume Amigo since same-same) was built before October of 1998, it will use the 98-early 99 Radiator and fan shroud. If it was build after October of 1998, it will use the late 99+ Radiator and fan shroud.
The cutoff is somewhere in October as my Rodeo was final assembly in October, and online resources said the transition is for September manufactured radiators (which mine used a 09/98 radiator)
I didn’t know any of those ahead of time, so I used what I thought would fit. Currently my fan shroud is zip-tied to the radiator at the top (bottom slots still fit and work) and will be searching for a new shroud at the junkyard. (The correct radiator will be another $160)
I also changed the oil for Valvoline Restore and Protect 10w-30, which is purported over time to clean the carbon desposits and help free stuck piston rings.this is more of an experiment to see if I can reduce the oil burning over a few oil changes. We’ll see how it works long term. I’ll update each oil change with how much burned. At 150k miles right now, so next due is at 155k, with monitoring every 1k.
Lastly, I got a new 5th alloy wheel so I can finally sport my spare tire on the rear without the ugly steelie being all rusted and gross. I like the fabric cover, so I’ll keep it on a little while longer until the rest of it starts to tear and then display the wonderful 5 spokes.
Also a photo dump, I fixed my right taillight brush guard, it fell off in the winter, and re-attached my roof rubber (guards? Feet? Bumpers?) Whatever they’re called.
I am aware of the MY changes as I am used to it from other car models I’ve had. I call them ‘cusp cars’. When I rebuilt th A/C system complete in 2024. I did the later compressor which was an upgrade and a little smaller in size. I did have to get the MY 2000 hi/lo lines from the jy which went from the compressor to the firewall evaporator connections. The size had changed. No big deal and the replacement lines were in better shape than the old ones. The system rocks now.
Regarding the radiator, I swapped for a 2 row all aluminum for $160 and this is a regular conversion for me. I don’t have to worry about the plastic any more. There was some slight top screw mount adjustments which I’ve forgotten.
Drain petcock addition. The hose shoves on to the drain and I drop it straight in to the drain pan so no mess. Done this alot.
Where did you get the radiator? And how did you align it/mount it to get the fit correct for the fan? If this rock auto one fails, I know what I’ll be doing next.
It fit pretty straight forward with some really minor tweeking regarding the bottom & top mounts and the fan shroud. If you referring to the condensor fan, I added this big one as my manual Rodeo didn’t come with a factory one. I installed it when I did the condensor replacement. If you still have time, return the one to RA. I have had a few issues with their parts supplied.
Thanks for providing the writeup! I’ll be looking at doing that after I’m finished with the suspension I need to replace. I’m not ordering CVs from RA that’s for sure, already been burned 2x doing that.
The rad seems to be working for now, if it does become a defective part, I’ll eat the cost then and just get a proper high quality one then. I’ve already got too many projects to work on at the moment. House work never sleeps for a new homeowner. And neither will the coolant leak in my Miata.
I got a set of CVs right when I got this Rodeo but made sure they were the 6 baller ones.
Cracks or holes in a plastic tanked radiator can be fixed with JB Weld if that’s the case. I had one repaired on a sports street/track car with a new radiator on the shelf. Finally decided to swap it out.
Home work is never done fer sur.
What are you doing to the suspension? I went through a full, and I mean everything, on the front and rear axles including bumper removals and refresh even cleaning and respaying the fender liners.
Lol, I did try this at first. My attempt with the steel reinforced JB Weld popped off immediately once the coolant got to temp.
That’s when I bought a replacement. Needed truck up and running ASAP since I was going camping that weekend.
As for suspension, my rear shocks are blown, so I figured with replacing the shocks, I’d like to raise the ride height. When I do that, I also got to deal with the shot bump stop on the rear right, and the hardware for it is pretty crusty, so I am not looking forward to that job. I grabbed a welder from a buddy in case I need to use it, maybe cut and patch the small rust hole that’s there on the frame.
Also, the Miata is a special edition, '94 M Edition, so it has the Montego Blue paint, with the factory Nardi shift knob, tan leather seats and a tan interior & top to match. I could go on about the Miata, I love that car and it was a dream car for so long. My dad had a red '94 during my childhood and I was extremely sad when he sold it, so I was ecstatic when I found mine for $1500 in rural Kansas.
