Bad 96, thanks for your response. Last night I decided thatone way or another the cooling lines were coming off the radiator today, and they did but I used the "John Wayne" technique (a big pair of slip-joint pliers) and tore them off the radiator. I kinda let my temper take over.[&o] Schedule for tomorrow: (1) use my Dremel tool to cut off the bottom radiator hose spring clip that I can't reach to compress; (2) pull the old radiator and the fan shroud that's been in the way; and (3)get the cooling lines off the torn-off stubs!

 

Just a wrap-up comment from my radiator project. I didend up cutting off the bottom radiator hose spring clip and replacing it with a conventional hose clamp. As for the transmission cooling lines, the new radiator came with alternate 3/8" nipples to takethe "quick-disconnect"fittings. If any of you do this projectin the future and end up damaging/destroying the plasticpress-to-release insertsin the fittings like I did,Advance Autocarriesreplacements. Dorman part #800-006,GM/Chrysler Retaining Clips, 3/8", $4.94 for a box of 5. The local Dodge parts guy was clueless, even when I showed him the good piece. His data base showedhose clamps vice quick-disconnects. BTW, there's no special tool for these fittings (see Bad 96's post above) but a pair of needle-nose pliers might help to squeeze the ears.Thanks everybody for your help and comments.

 

good to see you have it done. i am glad someone else has the same problems at the dealer as i do!!! lol.