400SE Radiator Captive Nuts
Discussion
Hi all
The rad on my 1990 400SE was leaking so I had it recored by Boston Radiators. There are four captive nuts in each of the channel sections that run across the top and the bottom of the radiator assembly. These nuts are to attach the fibreglass fan cowling top and bottom.
The four (two top, two bottom) right hand side bolts hold on the oil cooler as well. Unfortunately the original bolts that locate into these captive nuts, don't grip - they slip the thread when tightened much beyond finger tight. Even the top bolts, which aren't at all rusty. I did put a little Copa-Slip on the threads to stop them rusting in, but that shouldn't cause the threads to jump!
Does anyone know if the threads have changed on the current cores? The guy at Boston Rad said they come from Range Rover and are the same as those used on the Range Rover model.
Hope someone out there can help!
Cheers
The rad on my 1990 400SE was leaking so I had it recored by Boston Radiators. There are four captive nuts in each of the channel sections that run across the top and the bottom of the radiator assembly. These nuts are to attach the fibreglass fan cowling top and bottom.
The four (two top, two bottom) right hand side bolts hold on the oil cooler as well. Unfortunately the original bolts that locate into these captive nuts, don't grip - they slip the thread when tightened much beyond finger tight. Even the top bolts, which aren't at all rusty. I did put a little Copa-Slip on the threads to stop them rusting in, but that shouldn't cause the threads to jump!
Does anyone know if the threads have changed on the current cores? The guy at Boston Rad said they come from Range Rover and are the same as those used on the Range Rover model.
Hope someone out there can help!
Cheers
Hi,
just had mine re-cored and the thread size is the same. I did replace all the bolts (from local metal work supplies) in any case as two sheared off on removing. Should be the same, as it's 15 years since mine was last done and the thread size hasn't changed with the Rad company I used.
Cheers
just had mine re-cored and the thread size is the same. I did replace all the bolts (from local metal work supplies) in any case as two sheared off on removing. Should be the same, as it's 15 years since mine was last done and the thread size hasn't changed with the Rad company I used.
Cheers
Thanks Bradderz.
I got back to the radiator shop and they found out the thread size - turns out to be quarter inch UNF - the old bolts that came out of the old core were were 6mm metric fine thread which gave a very sloppy fit into the UNF nuts. These are standard now for Range Rover, he tells me.
Problem solved and hopefully the oil cooler won't be rattling around in the airflow either!
Cheers all.
I got back to the radiator shop and they found out the thread size - turns out to be quarter inch UNF - the old bolts that came out of the old core were were 6mm metric fine thread which gave a very sloppy fit into the UNF nuts. These are standard now for Range Rover, he tells me.
Problem solved and hopefully the oil cooler won't be rattling around in the airflow either!
Cheers all.
Interesting - I know exactly the bolts you mean - sounds like a bodge up occurred before you.
Now - be careful - the new bolts mustn't be too long or you might puncture something. I can't remember when I did mine whether they were all the same length. Best to wind one in by hand while the rad is off and check it doesn't seem to bind up as it bottoms (fnarrr fnarr).
Now - be careful - the new bolts mustn't be too long or you might puncture something. I can't remember when I did mine whether they were all the same length. Best to wind one in by hand while the rad is off and check it doesn't seem to bind up as it bottoms (fnarrr fnarr).
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