wedge radiators

[wooly350i]

Hi folks,does any one feel they are changing their coolant rads a little too often,I'm changing mine again,3rd time in 12 years. Being mounted on fibre glass body rather than chassis it seems they are more prone to fracture at the corners due to twist, I've looked at an upgraded copper one with more cooling pipes every 8mm instead of 12 mm ,the 1st corner pipe connections not being in the circuit to minimise possibility of stress leaks as opposed to an ally one which I'm waiting on the price. Apart from the rubber grommets or remounting at great difficulty on chassis has anyone got any other suggestions,I've also thought about cross bracing the angle brackets that support the rad,any thoughts welcome.
Wooly.

[wild rover]

One thought was that the coolant pipes leading to the rad harden with age causing a slight strain on the fixings. I suppose changing to silicon would help.

[wooly350i]

wild rover said:

One thought was that the coolant pipes leading to the rad harden with age causing a slight strain on the fixings. I suppose changing to silicon would help.

Cheers,did that a few years ago,came off rad nicely though,no struggling there.

[adam quantrill]

You may be right - I too have seen them start leaking at the corners (where the pipe joins the tank).

I suspect vibration is involved, too.

I don't know what you could do apart from maybe bracing it with some L or U channel right across the bottom, and perpaps making the fixings decoupled from the tub, instead of bolts maybe to use rubber bobbins?

[wooly350i]

I've decide to go for the upgraded copper version as it is less than half the price of the ally one,don't make sense coz when scrapping either you always get tons more scrap value for copper than alluminum. At least one way or other it should prove if the upgrade has generally worked. May still try a diagonal cross brace with 8 or 10mm rods.

[rev-erend]

I have thought this too..

When I last replaced mine, I rubber mounted the bottom joints but oly cable tied the tops, this enrures that it has a secure location but cannot be twisted if the body flexes for what ever reason.

[rev-erend]

rev-erend said:

I have thought this too..

When I last replaced mine, I rubber mounted the bottom joints but oly cable tied the tops, this enrures that it has a secure location but cannot be twisted if the body flexes for what ever reason.

Naturally you have to check the cable ties occasionally

[adam quantrill]

Check the cable ties? I don't think so - with all the cursing and scraping of knuckles needed to get it out, that ain't going anywhere. Especially with the fan on it. ;^)

You could use those metal "ties" they use on exhaust wrap, that would be more durable - if you're worried. Good idea though.

[wooly350i]

Also it would appear that somebody in the past retro fitted a kenlowe 12" single fan without shrouds so I reckon I've been barking up a mooses fanny as far as cooling goes,but at last I should be getting there,hopefully the oil cooler in front of the water rad won't be detrimental,oh bugger just heard I've got to have a shoulder transplant next Wednesday so that will stop me tivving for a while.

[rev-erend]

A shoulder transplant .. or an artificial replacement ?

[wooly350i]

rev-erend said:

A shoulder transplant .. or an artificial replacement ?

Actually its some internal repairs and filing but you never know these days what can be done with animal donations!