MKI radiator swap into MKII Jetta?

[jaed_43725]

So I am pretty sick and tired of the stupid coolant expansion tank (non-ball style) on my 85'. I can get a MKI radiator that came out of a 78 Scirocco for $30. Or I can get one of those inline fill caps like this: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-63730/overview/

So will the MKI radiator fit right in, or is the inline filler better? I plan on using the expansion tank for the overflow. But I need to take this thing out of the pressurized equation.

[jaed_43725]

Also does anyone know the inside diameter of the upper radiator hose?

[sk8ordie]

yes an early MKI/ rocco rad will fit/ work in a MKII. And it will keep your 1.6 cool. I've run non overflow rad's in my last few builds. Inline fillers are junk - and you will have air issues if its not at the highest point of the system. This is difficult to achieve in line naturally.

[jaed_43725]

Is there anything I have to do to make it fit in right? Or will it fit in just like the current one?

[theman53]

There are a bunch of holes in the core support, you have to put it in the right ones for the radiator you use.

[sk8ordie]

Is there anything I have to do to make it fit in right? Or will it fit in just like the current one?

yes - you'll need to reconfigure your rad hoses. 

[8v-of-fury!]

So I am pretty sick and tired of the stupid coolant expansion tank (non-ball style) on my 85'.

Why??

[Dakotakid]

Exactly my question as well.

If it's a matter of the age-related cracking of the res., those are actually quick, easy, and inexpensive to replace. They also make determining anti-freeze level quick and easy as well.

I hate the ball-style res. They seem to be hard to read even with a very clean system.

I remember the old side-saddle res. radiators as short-lived leakers. I actually installed remote res. radiators in all my Mk. I's. Life was good.

[RabbitJockey]

my brother has one in his mk2 aba, i think there was 1 bracket on the upper radiator support that he had to cut away to make it fit but it worked fine and keeps his car cool.