Talk to me about 400SE radiators..

[350Wedge]

Having just got my car back from MOT and having all new rear brakes done, its been confirmed that my suspicion of the radiator being almost knackered is true. According to the worksheet its in 'poor' condition and it has recently started dripping a bit.

Although not a pressing issue I'm thinking about getting it replaced at some point over the next few months.

Now first off the age old question, are 400SE rads generally the same as in locations of top and bottom hose etc. Did they ever fit a different size or are they all vaguely the same.

If at all possible I would like to have a new Ali one but I'm also open to other options. I'm not is a position to be able to do the job myself so ideally I'd like a replacement part that can be fitted at the garage I use. I asked them about local re-cores but they we'rent sure of anywhere local that may be able to do it.

[pwd95]

It's a Range Rover jobbie. Any local re-core place will do it for around £150 odd squid. Done two now, 350i & 450SE, both exactly the same. Just make sure they replace the core like for like.

[adam quantrill]

Recore definitely, worked well so the 400SX (same jobbie) although mine came back slightly shorter so I had to shim out one of the mounting brackets.

See here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=14&...

[350Wedge]

I dont suppose anyone has a spare 400SE rad tucked away in their garage that they would like to sell?

If I dont go down the new Ali route then I'd like to have something already re-cored and ready to slot in.

[jmorgan]

I was curios about the ali route but also has to how to get it repaired if it went south. Got a decent core on a recore and its good as gold. And can get it repaired easily should I need to.

[combine]

The ali rad route comes expensive , a recore is the best bet !

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

combine said:

The ali rad route comes expensive , a recore is the best bet !

Plus are a pain to fix, as you have to mod the brackets as the standard ones don't fit on the ali rads.

[chedder]

The Sierra Cosworth Alloy radiator is another option, same size as the Wedge one, just need to drill two now holes for the mounting lugs and replace the bottom hose.
It works a treat on mine.
Damn sight cheaper than TVR alloy one too, available from Fleabay.
Pics here on page 5
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Chedder

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

chedder said:

The Sierra Cosworth Alloy radiator is another option, same size as the Wedge one, just need to drill two now holes for the mounting lugs and replace the bottom hose.
It works a treat on mine.
Damn sight cheaper than TVR alloy one too, available from Fleabay.
Pics here on page 5
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Chedder

As pointed out in the thread the hose size's are 35mm on the Cosworth Rad but 38mm on the 400SE

Also you may want to get Genuine SPAL fans as there are some cheap crap fans out there.

I'm also thinking about selling the Cosworth one in the racer, as could do with something a bit bigger, as I'm creeping above 100 by the end of a race.

[350Wedge]

Now thats very interesting, and a Cosworth radiator in price terms would work out cheaper than a re-core of my existing one (at least in intial purchasing cost). My garage would be fitting it and they should easily be able to sort the mounting and hose changes.

I assume something like this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-RS500-Cosworth-Alloy-Ra...

[chedder]

350Wedge said:

Now thats very interesting, and a Cosworth radiator in price terms would work out cheaper than a re-core of my existing one (at least in intial purchasing cost). My garage would be fitting it and they should easily be able to sort the mounting and hose changes.

I assume something like this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-RS500-Cosworth-Alloy-Ra...

Yep, thats the one, I opted for some larger Kenlowe 2 speed fans though to help cope with the level of tuning, but the slimline units in that advert should work ok, cant comment on the longevity of them though.

Chedder

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

350Wedge said:

Now thats very interesting, and a Cosworth radiator in price terms would work out cheaper than a re-core of my existing one (at least in intial purchasing cost). My garage would be fitting it and they should easily be able to sort the mounting and hose changes.

I assume something like this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-RS500-Cosworth-Alloy-Ra...

Not sure where about you are, but as said I'll be upgrading mine, so if you want you can buy my current one, same as the ebay one, I'll even leave my mounting brackets for the Fans so you don't have to use the stupid cable tie things.

Edited by TVRleigh_BBWR on Thursday 9th June 16:06

[350Wedge]

Right update on this, I've found a local place for re-cores thats been recommended to me by quite a few people.

Car is booked in for about a weeks time to have Rad removed and then sent off for re-coring

[mikeb]

Let us know how it turns out including prices & pics.....

MikeyB

[350Wedge]

mikeb said:

Let us know how it turns out including prices & pics.....

MikeyB

I'll keep people posted regarding price but I doubt there will be any pics. My garage is taking it out and sending it for re-core, then re-fitting. I wont get to see it unfortunately.

[wild rover]

Just a thought is the rad leaking at the bottom n/s,i have noticed rads going there on the wedge. Speaking to a v8 mechanic,says that this was a common complaint on the SD1 and was due to the hoses hardening. May be worth considering silicone hoses.

[Wedg1e]

Must get my rad recored soon... the bottom few rows have no fins left on them - blasted away over the years.

I'll probably use Motorcool in Thornaby... first went there as a nipper with me dad waaaay back in the early 70s so they've had long enough to figure it out

[350Wedge]

wild rover said:

Just a thought is the rad leaking at the bottom n/s,i have noticed rads going there on the wedge. Speaking to a v8 mechanic,says that this was a common complaint on the SD1 and was due to the hoses hardening. May be worth considering silicone hoses.

Hiya, Its leaking on the offside somewhere. I've already got silicone hoses fitted so its definitely the rad. It was noted as in very poor condition on the mot.

[350Wedge]

Quick update on this....

Due to get my car back tomorrow. Rad has been re-cored and has been fitted today. Apparantly it needed a couple of slight mods as well due to it being repaired/modified in the past, I dont have the details though.

Cost of the re-core and repairs is looking about £150, not too bad really.

I doubt I'll be able to get any decent pics, but will try once I have the car back

[1 Finger Bandit]

I get my rad back tomorrow for the 400se after the recore. £220 lighter in the pocket, I'll post up a couple of pictures