Replacing 3.0 radiator trouble

[getrdone52]

So my radiator has been leaking and decided to replace it when I saw this earlier

I ordered this exact radiator but am having some troubles with getting it in

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_radiator-ready-rad_19920594-p?cm_mmc=ET-_-Trans-_-Confirmation-_-General#fragment-2

First the lower mounts don't line up they're about 2" off but the upper mounts seem in place
Driver

Passenger

Both of the hoses are on tight but the bottom one has kinks in it from the whole radiator sitting back an extra 2".

I haven't put any coolant in yet because I don't know if I ordered the wrong radiator or what but any help would be appreciated.

 

[PanamaExpat]

It looks like you just don't have it installed correctly. What is blocking it from setting into the mounts? Is there anything between the condenser and the rad?

 

[getrdone52]

Nothing is in the way. Here are some pics of the upper mounts. It is in there pretty good it's hard to move it around. I'm just wondering if it would damage anything if I drove it without it being on the correct mounts. I guess it could hit the fan...

 

[englewoodcowboy]

Looks to me like you just need to take the top loose and set the bottom tabs into the mounts then reattach the top mounts. Is it an auto trans? If so, you could have bent the trans tubes slightly getting the old one out and they should go back in place.

 

[PanamaExpat]

How far off the fan is the rad? For the AC to work more efficiently you need to fill up the space around the edges. I used Superlon AC tubing insulation and yellow glue when I set my rad a couple weeks back. If you have adequate clearance and are fairly certain they gave you the correct or only replacement rad they sell then I would at least zip tie the bottom so it can't slide back and hit the fan. No one likes it when the **it hits the fan...LOL The zip ties may not be the most elegant solution but they are solid insurance.

You will need to find a way to get that kink out of the hose for sure.

 

[getrdone52]

Looks to me like you just need to take the top loose and set the bottom tabs into the mounts then reattach the top mounts. Is it an auto trans? If so, you could have bent the trans tubes slightly getting the old one out and they should go back in place.

How far off the fan is the rad? For the AC to work more efficiently you need to fill up the space around the edges. I used Superlon AC tubing insulation and yellow glue when I set my rad a couple weeks back. If you have adequate clearance and are fairly certain they gave you the correct or only replacement rad they sell then I would at least zip tie the bottom so it can't slide back and hit the fan. No one likes it when the **it hits the fan...LOL The zip ties may not be the most elegant solution but they are solid insurance.

You will need to find a way to get that kink out of the hose for sure.

Thanks for your help guys! I tried putting it back in and it helped but they still aren't lined up but I don't think its going anywhere. Its weird how it isn't lining up but I did do the zip tie thing that was suggested and that helps as well. Its like 6" away from the fan so I shouldn't have any problems. I got everything together and let it run for like 5 minutes then drove it around and there are no problems! I did notice that the temperature needle would move around when I was driving but it was all in the middle. I also did the zip tie mod while I had zip ties and was already working on it and feels so much better! Thanks again for your help guys