390SE progress
Discussion
Hi, just a quick update on the 390SE.
Well the engine is all back together and is ready for start up, but when we removed the oil cooler for flushing it became obvious that the vertically mounted cooler had worked loose on it's mounts and has steadily hammered its way into the radiator. Although not leaking the fins have completely gone and the core is very badly damaged. As such I've decided to get a new radiator fitted rather than risking the worn one. I'm sure I've read that a standard Range Rover Classic unit will fit with some modification. Is this the case?
When it goes back in the oil cooler will be mounted horizontally rather than vertically so should be more stable. One thing of note is that the oil feed pipes to/from the cooler are only held on with jubilee clips. Given the potential oil pressure I'd have thought pukka hydraulic pipes and unions should be used. Anyone else got jubilee clips on theirs? Personally I don't like the idea.
One final point but the adjustable fuel pressure regulator is actually a Lucas unit. There's a small knurled knob on the top with an allen key slot to adjust pressure accordingly. Anyone ever seen a Lucas unit like this before? I've tried Googling it but came up blank.
So the exciting engine start up is delayed for the time being, but best get it right.
Note the Pipercorss air filter is temporary - I've a shiny new K&N waiting to go in but I didn't want it getting damaged until the bonnet is back on and all engine bay work is finished.
Adjustable Lucas fuel regulator. Accelerator cable looks past its best I know.
Well the engine is all back together and is ready for start up, but when we removed the oil cooler for flushing it became obvious that the vertically mounted cooler had worked loose on it's mounts and has steadily hammered its way into the radiator. Although not leaking the fins have completely gone and the core is very badly damaged. As such I've decided to get a new radiator fitted rather than risking the worn one. I'm sure I've read that a standard Range Rover Classic unit will fit with some modification. Is this the case?
When it goes back in the oil cooler will be mounted horizontally rather than vertically so should be more stable. One thing of note is that the oil feed pipes to/from the cooler are only held on with jubilee clips. Given the potential oil pressure I'd have thought pukka hydraulic pipes and unions should be used. Anyone else got jubilee clips on theirs? Personally I don't like the idea.
One final point but the adjustable fuel pressure regulator is actually a Lucas unit. There's a small knurled knob on the top with an allen key slot to adjust pressure accordingly. Anyone ever seen a Lucas unit like this before? I've tried Googling it but came up blank.
So the exciting engine start up is delayed for the time being, but best get it right.
Note the Pipercorss air filter is temporary - I've a shiny new K&N waiting to go in but I didn't want it getting damaged until the bonnet is back on and all engine bay work is finished.
Adjustable Lucas fuel regulator. Accelerator cable looks past its best I know.
Hi Keith, my cooler is secured with hoseclips, and I've never had any leakage, although I have replaced the clips with good quality items (JCS Hi Torq). The cooler on my car is mounted vertically, although mines an 18 row, whereas yours looks like it's a 12 row. I personally would mount it vertically again, as only having bolted to the base of the rad puts a lot of strain on the rad. I also couldn't see in that picture the cooler thermostat - is there one fitted?
Hi all and thanks for the replies. Our local Hereford radiators can refurb the existing unit for £200 so going that way so at least I know that it will all fit back afterwards.
Re the oil cooler hoses - next door to our office is a hydraulics company. They can make up a pukka set of high pressure hoses with the necessary 90 degree ends and unions. £20 for both hoses, so going to get a set made up tomorrow.
Re the oil cooler hoses - next door to our office is a hydraulics company. They can make up a pukka set of high pressure hoses with the necessary 90 degree ends and unions. £20 for both hoses, so going to get a set made up tomorrow.
Only have hose clips on my 400SE. but I used hose clips on the racer, which has the later crank oil pump. and it did blow the hose of the clip at full chat. so I got hydraulic hoses made, rated at over 1000 psi.
on my 400SE the oil cooler is vertical but has separate solid top and bottom brackets. so it can't hit the radiator.
on my 400SE the oil cooler is vertical but has separate solid top and bottom brackets. so it can't hit the radiator.
Hi Keith...ACT have an alloy one..Or Aaron radiators have a copper & Brass one..Its the same as the early Griff...
ACT
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...
Aaron Radiators
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...
If you do use Aaron can you mention that i recommended you as they have always looked after me...Cheers...Ziga
ACT
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...
Aaron Radiators
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...
If you do use Aaron can you mention that i recommended you as they have always looked after me...Cheers...Ziga
The Early Griff Rad is very similar, and the same size, but does not fit unless you modify the brackets and add a return. (I know as I fitted a Ali Griff one from RAD-TEC about 6 years ago)
I think RAD-TEC now do a Wedge Ali one. your need to get the fan kit also, or add two fans (just don't get cheap ebay ones)
I think RAD-TEC now do a Wedge Ali one. your need to get the fan kit also, or add two fans (just don't get cheap ebay ones)
mk1fan said:
Subaru Imprezza STi alloy one £150. Bit of mounting pokery. Sorted. Plentiful future supply.
On the racer I've got an escort cosworth Ali one (rated at 500 BHP). very similar in size if you want to mess with brackets. I had to make new brackets anyway for the racer.
The one I got was budget one, with large cores and doubt it would cool 500 BHP. it strugles with my 230 BHP, I've got a genuine metal one, so going to swap to over, when I put the new engine in. and see how it compares. but I would personally say away from the large core ali rads.
TVRleigh_BBWR said:
On the racer I've got an escort cosworth Ali one (rated at 500 BHP). very similar in size if you want to mess with brackets.
I had to make new brackets anyway for the racer.
The one I got was budget one, with large cores and doubt it would cool 500 BHP. it strugles with my 230 BHP, I've got a genuine metal one, so going to swap to over, when I put the new engine in. and see how it compares. but I would personally say away from the large core ali rads.
Mr Hereford Radiator man said that he's seen too many ali ones furring up, no doubt due to lack of suitable antifreeze inhibitor. Also he says that they are more susceptible to stone damage.I had to make new brackets anyway for the racer.
The one I got was budget one, with large cores and doubt it would cool 500 BHP. it strugles with my 230 BHP, I've got a genuine metal one, so going to swap to over, when I put the new engine in. and see how it compares. but I would personally say away from the large core ali rads.
Number 7 said:
Keith, I'd recommend getting a proper boss for the temp sensor fitted so you can put a screw in type, rather than the rubbish way the otter switch is normally mounted.
Good plan. Any recommendations as to type and thread size? I'm presuming just stick with standard Lucar connectors? Thanks.How about one of these?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RADIATOR-FAN-SWITCH-FOR-...
Edited by KKson on Wednesday 14th October 19:08
Difficult on size as it's very inaccessible without dismantling stuff. That's the general idea though. You just need to find a switch with the on / off temps that you want - once you've done that, I'm sure the rad guys will have a boss to fit. My rad guy did the entire thing for me some years back.
TVRleigh_BBWR said:
if you get a Griff / Chim fan switch, then get the rad guy to fit a boss the same size, that's what I have in my 400SE.
Okay one ordered from TVR Parts, due Friday. Any idea what thread it is? Is it M22? Cheers.Edited by KKson on Wednesday 14th October 20:58
Edited by KKson on Wednesday 14th October 21:00
Ive got hi grip clips all round and good quality hoses and have no problems but if there was a full set for my setup at the right price i would entertain it but with oil pressure at about 60psi and temps around 100c im not too worried.
Also my oil cooler is vertical ith 2 solid brackets locking into place.
Also my oil cooler is vertical ith 2 solid brackets locking into place.
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