V8 Radiator

[The Hatter]

Can anyone confirm if an early Range Rover radiator will fit a '86 350i?

Steve Heath's book says it won't; all the pics and dimensions I can find on the internet for the Range Rover rad tie up with the rad on my car, with the exception of the top mounting brackets being trimmed slightly on my car to narrow the overall width of the rad - not a problem.

Quotes I've had for a recore are more than a new Rangey rad...

[Mr Tank]

Hi Martin

Rads on 350i changed to a new fixing on the Series 2 car!

Early cars (Not covered by the bible) had different fixings and a slighly different size rad!

I have a good used early rad, which 1 finger bandit tried to fit into a series 2 car and it would not fit! So it just depends what your fixing are and maybe a Rangy rad may fit!

Andy

[The Hatter]

Mine's a series 2 as well. The one in the SEAC is the same, but set up with twin fans.

It would surprise me if the rad was a TVR special, it would be cheaper for them to use something off the shelf... just got to find out what it's from!

[jock sproket]

there was a posting round about april time of someone fitting a alloy cosworth rad and it was quite light on the wallet

sproket

[mrzigazaga]

Hi martin..Not sure if this is what you need, Looks like a 350i rad..Might be worth a ring..Ziga
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KITCAR-SPECIAL-BUILDERS-...

Alloy rads can be obtained from radtec but they are not cheap!!

[The Hatter]

Cosworth rad looks interesting; much cheaper. I'd prefer to keep the car standard if I can though; whatever 'standard' might mean for a TVR!

I thought of a flaw in the Range Rover rad plan, Range Rovers have viscous fans not electric so won't have the hole in the rad for the fan switch. However looking at my rad it looks like all TVR did was drill a hole and use the SD1 switch (part no GVS104 fitted my car...) and clamp plate (from god knows where). That would explain the crap positioning that interferes with the top hose, and why the hole itself has a sharp edge and not a stamped/formed radius as you'd expect!

[wooly350i]

Modified copper one from Berkshire rads cost me £168 complete with a 22mm npt thread for switch. Extra pipe cores for cooling,corners not connected to stop ruptures.

[Number 7]

I think its the end tanks and brackets that make it TVR special - and that bodgit otter switch mount. When I got mine redone with an extra core, they fitted a proper brazed? boss to allow a screw in temp sensor.

[rev-erend]

It's been said that the rad is actually from a BL freight Rover (Sherpa).

[Danny Hoffman]

Might be worth getting it re-cored with an extra core. Got mine done years ago, it was only slightly more than a standard re-core and the car never gets too hot

[Wedg1e]

I wouldn't bu99er about with those contact thermal switches; use a Kenlowe 'stat with the probe in the top hose - and use the 'stat to switch the original fan relay rather than switching the fan directly... that way it's the relay contacts that arc rather than those in the expensive Kenlowe bit. If the fan relay packs in you can swap it at the side of the road for most of the others whereas if the Kenlowe 'stat burns out you have no cooling. You can also adjust the 'stat cut-in temperature to suit your engine, your driving and the prevailing conditions.

[adam quantrill]

Martin probably wants to keep it original though - warts 'n' all...

You can put an SDi rad in there but the elbows are different, however I found that when the system pressurises the tvr hoses swell up and the flow is not impeded.

Otherwise get it re-cored - I have had this done as well.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Martin..I have what Ian suggested, You can set the temperature to whatever, Mine is set so that the fan comes on a minute or two after the thermostat has opened, You will need the red electric seal as well...Ziga

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproducts.asp?sg=1&a...

Mine has a 30amp fuse in the wire to the battery..The red seal goes inside the top hose and has a groove in it for the sensor wire.