Radiator question

[KEVORM]

Dear those who are much wiser than I,

So my car is an 84' but my engine (currently on the stand w/o hoses) is an 89', all radiators i've seen are listed as pre '87ish or post....im both.

My question is: Which radiator hose combo will work for me?

I figure if the mounting points are the same and i dont have hoses, then it doesn't matter as long as im consistent (early,early or late, late).....but thats why i ask before i buy.

thanks in advance

[10Toes]

Early model


Late model

[djjerme]

I am in the same boat, chassis is '85, and motor is '88 i. the difference really depends on the water pump. In the above illustrations, the top is the early model, notice how the overflow/fill chamber is fed off the waterpump. This is important, because you can't use an early radiator with a late water pump, the flow is different.

I ended up sticking with the early water pump/radiator/overflow set up because I didn't want to have to track down the late model top mounts (completely different set up from the early; bottom mounts are the same though) and instead found a radiator from a late 80's 5 series, which use the same radiator mounts as the early 3 series, and the same water inlet/outlets on the radiator, but a lot bigger core than the early 3-series. Found a like new one at a U-pull-it for $30.. score!

[KEVORM]

Ok so if i buy an early style water pump then everything else can go on as if the motor was an early model? So early style radiator (will try and find late 80's 5 series one if i can) early hoses etc. I didn't even think to look on realoem, should have been my first stop. Also didn't realize the coolant tank was in a different position on the late model cars, learn something everyday.