How do I remove the radiator?

[buzzsaw]

Is it only held in by two bolts...one each side about a third the way down from the top or are there any other fixings cunningly hiding in some dark corner??

[vinny]

Thats the only 2. What you will also need to do is remove the expansion bottle(top up) so you can bring the rad foward then up. Thats if you have the serpentine lump. Good luck,make sure you have plenty of rag on your surrounding areas otherwise it gets expensive. I approached TVR for a new rad, silly money then they told me that a new one wouldnt fit???!! So I re-cored the one I have with 4 cores rather than the std 3 for £130. Better than £500!

[philshort]

Be careful, the mounting lugs are not well finished (just hacked off actually), and you might take chunks out of the sides of the engine bay on removal (voice of experience!). Probably best if you had someone each side. It'll save a bit of work with filler later!

[buzzsaw]

Thanks for the replies.

Vinny, where did you get your rad recored?

[trefor]

Yep, just 2 bolts - on mine the bottom 2 mountings slot into a hole in the GRP. You might want to loosen and lift the expansion tank out of the way to make more room (if your car has one sitting near the rad that is). I agree that it's a very tight fit - must get the touch-up pot out.

One hint - don't remove the bottom hose until you've taken the rad out - that way you lose less water on the floor - remove the pipe going into the hose and the top hose obviously. Also, cover all scratchable bits with cloths and think about sticking masking tape over edges of the wings where you might touch with the rad on the way out.

Should on'y take you an hour (less if you don't care about spillage).

T/.

[vinny]

Re-cor was done by the local rad supply/reconditioner out of the yellow pages. Because its a range rover core its very common to have the 4 core available. you should have no probs if you ring around locally. Im in kent and used a place near leeds castle in leeds (south version) Best of luck old boy

>> Edited by vinny on Tuesday 21st May 12:30

[Green&Mean]

I had mine taken out, recored, and fully pressure tested and refitted all for £165 by our local rad-specialist. Now runs generally 10-15 degrees cooler than it used to.
For this kind of money, why get your hands dirty - it sounds a tricky job ?

[buzzsaw]

Does the TVR V8 require a specific type of antifreeze or will any off the shelf stuff do?

[trefor]

Any antifreeze which has corrosion inhibitors for the engine, which means most of the products on the market. I'm sure some work better than others - I used Halfords home brew when I saw what they wanted to charge for the other brands.

Trefor/.