radiator lower port mystery
 

I removed the radiator from my 92 mazda b2600 and apparently wasnt paying much attention because upon getting ready to reinstall i see a port on the lower drivers side, that i am unsure what it is, it is just inboard of the lower hose connection and i dont remember there being any type of hose or tube connected to it. Any ideas what it is.?

Trans cooler pipe? Drain bung?

Post on mazdatrucking.com, they'll know, and show their pictures.

Picture of mentioned port

automatic transmission cooler line. the other line is to the right, bent about 90 deg. if your car does not have an automatic transmission, a lot of the time, aftermarket radiators are sold like this, so only one radiator has to be stocked. it will fit both auto and manual trans. inside the radiator is a sealed tube that the automatic transmission fluid flows thru. when cold, it helps the fluid heat up to operating temps. when hot, it helps keep the fluid cool. since it is sealed, and it sounds like you have a manual trans, dont worry about it.

So the line circled is for an automatic transmission? I do have a manual, so what is the line that is bent 90 degrees?

one is the inlet, the other is the outlet. i dunno which is which, but like i said, aftermarket radiators do this all the time. take some flexible line, attach it to either end, blow into it, and put you finger by the other end, you will feel the air come out.

So I am fine to leave it as it is or should I cap the port off?

leave it as is.

You can cap off the ports if you like, above information is correct, they are ports for automatic transmission fluid. But consider yourself lucky: such radiators are 2-row, and offer better cooling than the 1-row radiators that 5-speed trucks came with.

I believe most retailers now just stock or list the 2-row radiator like you have, so one model will fit both automatic and 5-speed trucks.

I have such 2-row radiator in my 5-speed B2200, helps in Arizona desert heat. On mine, the ports could unscrew. And I left them uncapped.

Everything worked as advertised with the reinstallation of the radiator but now my instrument cluster lights arent working, all othe interior lights seem to be fine except for the cluster. I did have to jump the truck after the radiator install, not sure if that has anything to do with it

Turn on the light switch, see if the parking lights and tail lights go on, they are all on the same circuit. If so, turn the little ribbed wheel switch on the dashboard, the dimmer.

On my B2200, I lost instrument panel lights, parking lights, and tail lights simultaneously, bead headlight switch part of the combination switch. There's two types of those switches (a 4 and a 5-terminal one), so either make sure to get the right type. Better yet, you can clean the contacts on your existing headlight switch. See HowTo - Combination Switch Repair

Head light switch information