replacement radiator

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valencia
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Re: replacement radiator

#11 Post by valencia » Fri Oct 26, 2018 8:29 pm

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292269035924

Hi,
Since my last message I have bought a Suzuki Vitara radiator as shown in the link, it will require some mountings fabricating, the bottom hose is in the correct position and the expansion pipe too, but the top connection will need a flexible hose and I may rotate the thermostat housing to make it easier. I have not fitted it yet but I'll post an update when it is fitted and hopefully working, it has cost £38.50 so if it's a mistake, not too expensive and an interesting project as well. ( £165 seems ok for a re-core)
Thanks
Michael

tony
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Re: replacement radiator

#12 Post by tony » Sat Oct 27, 2018 3:31 am

Interested to see how you will mount it. :?: We can still get new cores over here and just change over tanks.
Tony.
1976 2500 TC. converted to S specs.

Lots of bits

1999 BMW Z3.
2006 BMW 325ti.
Hopefully not needing too many bits.




.

johnnydog
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Re: replacement radiator

#13 Post by johnnydog » Sat Oct 27, 2018 11:37 am

Still seems like a lot of unnecessary work when good used radiators of the correct era for your car can be obtained quite easily.
And for a similar price that you have paid, but without the work fabricating it to fit. And it will look correct too.
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sprint95m
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Aye.....

#14 Post by sprint95m » Wed Oct 31, 2018 4:05 pm

valencia wrote:
Fri Oct 26, 2018 8:29 pm
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292269035924

Hi,
Since my last message I have bought a Suzuki Vitara radiator as shown in the link, it will require some mountings fabricating, the bottom hose is in the correct position and the expansion pipe too, but the top connection will need a flexible hose and I may rotate the thermostat housing to make it easier. I have not fitted it yet but I'll post an update when it is fitted and hopefully working, it has cost £38.50 so if it's a mistake, not too expensive and an interesting project as well. ( £165 seems ok for a re-core)
Thanks
Michael
Michael, once you have the radiator mounted it should be straightforward to make a bespoke top hose but
I would NOT use a flexible hose.

Instead, if it was me, I would keep the thermostat housing as it is and use a 135 degree elbow on it,
with a 90 degree elbow on the radiator, the two being connected by a straight hose (or pipe).
I use off the shelf silicone hose components (of UK or European origin only), the size you need is 32mm bore.
Also, I only use JCS hose clips nowadays.



Ian.
Owner of a 1979 Dolomite Sprint (EFI),
previously ran for nine years a Dolomite (1850), a 2500S (for 4 years), a Dolomite 1500HL (for a few months),
a Dolomite Sprint (for 10 years) and a second 2500S (for 5 years until 2007).

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valencia
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Re: replacement radiator

#15 Post by valencia » Thu Nov 01, 2018 8:43 am

Thanks Ian,
I will see what hoses I can get off the shelf instead of disturbing the stat housing and a steel link pipe seems a good idea to connect between the two. I have not started to install the rad yet as at the moment I'm busy cleaning and painting the wheels prior to getting some new tyres to get the car back on the road, the rad leak and a failed (bulging) tyre are the result of a recent continental trip. As some of you have carried out quite complex engine swaps requiring all sorts of under bonnet changes has anyone got a url link for a supplier of suitable steel pipes.
Many thanks for your suggestions,
Michael

sprint95m
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Michael

#16 Post by sprint95m » Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:26 am

You can get alloy pipes (which are a better choice than steel because they are lighter and won't corrode).
Please go for one with beaded ends.



Ian.
Owner of a 1979 Dolomite Sprint (EFI),
previously ran for nine years a Dolomite (1850), a 2500S (for 4 years), a Dolomite 1500HL (for a few months),
a Dolomite Sprint (for 10 years) and a second 2500S (for 5 years until 2007).

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valencia
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Re: replacement radiator

#17 Post by valencia » Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:03 pm

Thanks Ian, I have seen a few on ebay now, plenty of choice too.
Cheers
Michael

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Re: replacement radiator

#18 Post by Mike Stevens » Wed Nov 07, 2018 10:39 am

For coolant pipes, in the past I have used 28mm copper pipe. Get a 28mm 'yorkshire' solder straight connector and cut it in half. Then solder one bit of it on the end of the 28mm pipe, thus giving a 'bead'. Pipes like this have been on my Stag for the last 6 years. Why you many ask? It has an external belt-driven water pump and some re-routing of the coolant pipes was needed!

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Mike.
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valencia
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Re: replacement radiator

#19 Post by valencia » Wed Nov 07, 2018 5:46 pm

Thanks mike,
that is another good option for me , I'm sure I'll get it all connected up.
The rad itself is still in it's packaging as I'm not ready to install it yet, the supplier said the outlets were 28mm and I think the originals might be a bit bigger but I'm just waiting for some tyres at the moment to get the car mobile again. 175/80 13r are rather elusive now, none of my local tyre bays could get them so I have ordered some from oponeo, (Uniroyale) but delivery has been delayed, I'm thinking there is nothing in stock and they are scouring the tyre warehouses to see if they can make up the order, not many cars on a 175 now I suppose.
Thanks,
Michael

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Re: replacement radiator

#20 Post by trolleybus » Thu Nov 08, 2018 3:36 am

I have had the same problems recently and was quoted silly money in Australia to recore.
I eventually settled on a Chinese alloy unit which need a little bit of work to fit.
It is a little wider than the old unit so have to rethink my electric fan installation.
Looking at the Suzuki unit on eBay I noticed that it is quite a thin unit?
If I was going to use one I would get two, one new and one from a wrecker.
Remove the bottom tank and fit it to the new rad in stead of the existing top tank, you would now have the top hose on the right side at least, but would need to fit a header tank, or as I have done fit a cap to the top alloy casting. I also found during my search for a replacement that a MGB V8 might have fitted but was a little thicker as well.
Bernard (Australia)
1977 2500 TC Auto EFI
1956 TR3 since 1980

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