TVR Tasmin 350 Radiator
Discussion
My father in law has recently aquired a 1987 TVR tasmin 350.
We have noticed that it has a leak in the radiator (or at least we think so....its hard to see)
I have been looking around for a new radiator but not having much luck.
Will it be better to just get the exsisting radiator repaired or can you suggest somewhere to buy a new one from?
Also, how easy is it to access the radiator? We can't see it from the engine bay as its too far forward!
Cheers
Matt
We have noticed that it has a leak in the radiator (or at least we think so....its hard to see)
I have been looking around for a new radiator but not having much luck.
Will it be better to just get the exsisting radiator repaired or can you suggest somewhere to buy a new one from?
Also, how easy is it to access the radiator? We can't see it from the engine bay as its too far forward!
Cheers
Matt
To the best of my knowledge you cant get them new, however the cores are Range Rover, so fairly easy to get reconditioned, approx £120 IIRC.
It comes out the bottom, you have to take the lower spoiler off to get it out, and headlamp pods out also makes it a lot easier to take it out, and you probably need to take them out to get the spoiler off, depending on how it is fixed.
It comes out the bottom, you have to take the lower spoiler off to get it out, and headlamp pods out also makes it a lot easier to take it out, and you probably need to take them out to get the spoiler off, depending on how it is fixed.
Hi, wait for silverback Mike to come on prior to me buying his old 350i he had to replace the rad he got a complete new unit ( modified rang rover I think ) and he has since had to do the same for his 390se so is in a good position to give you the advice you need .
Taken from Mikes Blog :
Today was the day to simply take the rad out, and have it re cored.... no such luck.
I had to remove the twin kenlowes that dicky had put in very well....injury one...
That removed, time to remove the rad that the car had obviously been built around....lots of swearing, lots of time and another knuckle gone and out it pops.
Well, half a radiator anyway, the lower half didnt exist. no wonder it ran a bit hot dicky.
Radiator recoring chap turned up....I asked if it was possible, to which he laughed his head off...new one it is then. It's ordered and won't be long apparently
Taken from Mikes Blog :
Today was the day to simply take the rad out, and have it re cored.... no such luck.
I had to remove the twin kenlowes that dicky had put in very well....injury one...
That removed, time to remove the rad that the car had obviously been built around....lots of swearing, lots of time and another knuckle gone and out it pops.
Well, half a radiator anyway, the lower half didnt exist. no wonder it ran a bit hot dicky.
Radiator recoring chap turned up....I asked if it was possible, to which he laughed his head off...new one it is then. It's ordered and won't be long apparently
Edited by richo_i on Tuesday 18th July 11:59
Hi folks. 
richo is quite correct, I replaced his rad with a new unit. The previous one literally fall apart in my hands like wet tripe.
I believe it was a modified rangie unit, but will have to ask 'numbnuts' who sourced the part for me. It was rather spooky as he rang his supplier who noted that there was one available, and it just happened to be in Bristol.
Complete bugger to put in though, something I said I would NEVER do again
To date richo, the 390 is holding out, the water leak was from a similar set up to yours, where the metal temp wire to the kenlowes was put in, so touch wood, it's ok.
Incidentally richo, mine has mastic slapped all around it, I didn't get round to doing yours, just a thought if its started dripping a bit in this weather...
richo is quite correct, I replaced his rad with a new unit. The previous one literally fall apart in my hands like wet tripe.
I believe it was a modified rangie unit, but will have to ask 'numbnuts' who sourced the part for me. It was rather spooky as he rang his supplier who noted that there was one available, and it just happened to be in Bristol.
Complete bugger to put in though, something I said I would NEVER do again
To date richo, the 390 is holding out, the water leak was from a similar set up to yours, where the metal temp wire to the kenlowes was put in, so touch wood, it's ok.
Incidentally richo, mine has mastic slapped all around it, I didn't get round to doing yours, just a thought if its started dripping a bit in this weather...
silverback mike said:
Hi folks.
richo is quite correct, I replaced his rad with a new unit. The previous one literally fall apart in my hands like wet tripe.
I believe it was a modified rangie unit, but will have to ask 'numbnuts' who sourced the part for me. It was rather spooky as he rang his supplier who noted that there was one available, and it just happened to be in Bristol.
Complete bugger to put in though, something I said I would NEVER do again
To date richo, the 390 is holding out, the water leak was from a similar set up to yours, where the metal temp wire to the kenlowes was put in, so touch wood, it's ok.
Incidentally richo, mine has mastic slapped all around it, I didn't get round to doing yours, just a thought if its started dripping a bit in this weather...
richo is quite correct, I replaced his rad with a new unit. The previous one literally fall apart in my hands like wet tripe.
I believe it was a modified rangie unit, but will have to ask 'numbnuts' who sourced the part for me. It was rather spooky as he rang his supplier who noted that there was one available, and it just happened to be in Bristol.
Complete bugger to put in though, something I said I would NEVER do again
To date richo, the 390 is holding out, the water leak was from a similar set up to yours, where the metal temp wire to the kenlowes was put in, so touch wood, it's ok.
Incidentally richo, mine has mastic slapped all around it, I didn't get round to doing yours, just a thought if its started dripping a bit in this weather...
Hi, Mike she seems o.k I havent had to put any oil or water in her at all yet but I do have my eye on this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl just to let ya know MOH is still going like stink but has developed a slight thrust bearing rattle and a intermitant miss @ 4000 rpm and above but hayho it is still good fun in this sun . By the way dicky thinks he may have the key fob for the imobb so that may save me a few bob .
I got mine recored by Northern Radiators who managed to cram 20% extra cooling area in compared to the original. www.radiatorsonline.co.uk/car-radiators/
Getting the unit out of the car is not easy. I opted for trimming away the fibreglass which had spanned the gap behind the back of the air dam and fabricating a new tray out of stainless sheet to carry the bottom of the rad when we put it back in. Don't even attempt to remove/replace it from the top unless you have triple jointed wrists. Also, makesure you connect the otter switch or any modified switch wiring loom before you replace it as there's little room to do this once it's in situ.
Getting the unit out of the car is not easy. I opted for trimming away the fibreglass which had spanned the gap behind the back of the air dam and fabricating a new tray out of stainless sheet to carry the bottom of the rad when we put it back in. Don't even attempt to remove/replace it from the top unless you have triple jointed wrists. Also, makesure you connect the otter switch or any modified switch wiring loom before you replace it as there's little room to do this once it's in situ.
matt_knowles said:
My father in law has recently aquired a 1987 TVR tasmin 350.
We have noticed that it has a leak in the radiator (or at least we think so....its hard to see)
I have been looking around for a new radiator but not having much luck.
Will it be better to just get the exsisting radiator repaired or can you suggest somewhere to buy a new one from?
Also, how easy is it to access the radiator? We can't see it from the engine bay as its too far forward!
Cheers
Matt
I am about to put one on ebay. Let me know if you are interested. It is good nick but we would have to make sure it is the right one being a TVR!!We have noticed that it has a leak in the radiator (or at least we think so....its hard to see)
I have been looking around for a new radiator but not having much luck.
Will it be better to just get the exsisting radiator repaired or can you suggest somewhere to buy a new one from?
Also, how easy is it to access the radiator? We can't see it from the engine bay as its too far forward!
Cheers
Matt
Just had my rad repaired for £38. Although i took it to a local motor factors I believe they used Serk Marston. From new there had been a steel blanking plate covering up a hole near the otter switch. I think it had been silver soldered in but the joint was cracked and seeping. They did a brilliant repair and the rad looks like new. Car even runs a couple of degrees cooler even in the weather lately and so I assume that its been cleaned out too.
Removal sequence was... headlights and pods out, drop the front spoiler and then remove the rad from underneath. No need to remove bonnet as long as you have a 90 degree screwdriver to undo the top screws. Remove the fan brackets and fans complete.
Removal sequence was... headlights and pods out, drop the front spoiler and then remove the rad from underneath. No need to remove bonnet as long as you have a 90 degree screwdriver to undo the top screws. Remove the fan brackets and fans complete.
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