Another radiator recore - Telford area?

[TimJM]

I have noticed a small amount of coolant under my car (probably only about a spoonful), the coolant level is only slightly down and I think it is the rad again. A good look under/around the car doesn't show any leaks (and I have checked all hoses which are dry) but the rad has a new stone shaped dent in it with a small amount of rust forming on it. This will be my second rad in under a year - is this common with griffs given the position and minimal protection? Is it possible without reducing airflow to put in a finer mesh to stop stones/debris hitting the rad?

I have been searching the forums but can't seem to find any info on who can recore my 500 griff radiator in/around the Telford area. I thought I could remember reading about a place just outside Telford that did them (maybe St Georges area) but can't find it now. Any suggestions?

Ideally I would like to get this done pre-Chatsworth just in case. I am hoping for hot weather so will be watching that temp gauge like a hawk all day if I think my rad is leaking rather than enjoying the drive.

Tim.

[Toffer]

Mount the re-core on resilient fittings...like soft rubber bushes.

The nose of the Griff flexes and it eventually cracks the rad..

Good luck...

[TimJM]

Thanks, but the rads have been on the std rubber gromit/bobbin things. I was careful not to bolt the last replacement down too hard either. Are you saying there is something better out there?

Perhaps it is just bad luck?

Still waiting to hear from anyone that knows a decent place to recore my rad in a localish area. I would much rather drive down than faff about posting one.

Tim.

[Loubaruch]

I used these last time:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Chimaera-Griffith-Ra...

They even picked up the old rad for the surcharge refund so that total pp was only £10.

I found them first class and they know TVR rads unlike most rad firms. They delivered when they said they would, rare these days.

They were also £80 less expensive than local recores.
No connection with them but would certainly use them again

http://www.bertram-hill.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

[TimJM]

Loubaruch said:

I used these last time:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Chimaera-Griffith-Ra...

They even picked up the old rad for the surcharge refund so that total pp was only £10...

Thanks - they do look about right, I was thinking about £150-175 for a re-core. I will give them a ring to see exactly what the "high spec" core is and if they can do better than 5-7 days delivery.

I think I will replace the rubber grommit/mounts also to try and protect the new rad a little better. I can't quite remember what they looked like from the last rad replacement I did but are they the same as the halfords wiring grommits?

Would something like this work?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Cheers,

Tim.

[Loubaruch]

Yes those are similar to the ones on my 500. It really needs something a bit more substantial maybe others on here have tried other solutions?

[bam50]

Hi Tim,

I think these may be the guys you are thinking of AEM.

HTH BAM50

[Wildfire]

I went with a Radtec from ACT when I thought my rad had gone. Turned out to be a dodgy sensor! I still have a spare Rad if that's any help?

[TimJM]

Wildfire said:

I went with a Radtec from ACT when I thought my rad had gone. Turned out to be a dodgy sensor! I still have a spare Rad if that's any help?

Yes, that may well be helpful, I will pm you.

Thanks.

[TimJM]

bam50 said:

I think these may be the guys you are thinking of AEM.

Thanks, you are right but having spoken to them I think I will be going elsewhere (didn't know what a TVR Griffith was, couldn't give me even a ballpark figure until they have seen the old rad and said would take at least 3 days - possibly a week.....or so).

Tim.

[TimJM]

It was all going so well. A fellow ph'er (Wildfire) kindly sent me a rad to try and this morning at 9am the rain had finally stopped. Just 45 minutes later and my old rad is out. I was then dreaming about a sub 90 minute radiator change time only to discover this:


The replacement rad is over 1/2 an inch wider and will not fit into my car. My old rad touches the sides on the way out - this one is having none of it. Interestingly this was out of a 400 (I think) and I had assumed all Griff radiators were the same. Are 400's normally wider?

Anyway it looks like Chatsworth is off for me - I may still go but it will be in the "family" car. I am seriously considering buying a second TVR just to try and get to one of the various TVR meets.

On the plus side I am getting very good at radiator changes in Griffs.

Tim.

[Wildfire]

Ah Tim, sorry to hear that the rad couldn't help. When I put the Radtec one in my car, I didn't notice any difference in the size

[TimJM]

Wildfire said:

Ah Tim, sorry to hear that the rad couldn't help. When I put the Radtec one in my car, I didn't notice any difference in the size

No problem - it is very close in size. I didn't realise it was different until I tried to put it in and it just wouldn't go.

The tolerance in rad width is tiny. Maybe my car is slightly narrower than others, it is "hand made" after all.

Tim.

[EGB]

TimJM said:

Is it possible without reducing airflow to put in a finer mesh to stop stones/debris hitting the rad?

Tim.

My 1999 Griff radiator is protected my a mesh. Will give dimensions if required.

[SSPPGG]

TimJM said:

It was all going so well. A fellow ph'er (Wildfire) kindly sent me a rad to try and this morning at 9am the rain had finally stopped. Just 45 minutes later and my old rad is out. I was then dreaming about a sub 90 minute radiator change time only to discover this:


The replacement rad is over 1/2 an inch wider and will not fit into my car. My old rad touches the sides on the way out - this one is having none of it. Interestingly this was out of a 400 (I think) and I had assumed all Griff radiators were the same. Are 400's normally wider?

Anyway it looks like Chatsworth is off for me - I may still go but it will be in the "family" car. I am seriously considering buying a second TVR just to try and get to one of the various TVR meets.

On the plus side I am getting very good at radiator changes in Griffs.

Tim.

just get the grinder out, and nip off the excess. will only take 5 mins,

itll make refitting easier. i had to do that to my griff rad as it was tight

[PeteGriff]

TimJM said:

It was all going so well. A fellow ph'er (Wildfire) kindly sent me a rad to try and this morning at 9am the rain had finally stopped. Just 45 minutes later and my old rad is out. I was then dreaming about a sub 90 minute radiator change time only to discover this:


The replacement rad is over 1/2 an inch wider and will not fit into my car. My old rad touches the sides on the way out - this one is having none of it. Interestingly this was out of a 400 (I think) and I had assumed all Griff radiators were the same. Are 400's normally wider?

Anyway it looks like Chatsworth is off for me - I may still go but it will be in the "family" car. I am seriously considering buying a second TVR just to try and get to one of the various TVR meets.

On the plus side I am getting very good at radiator changes in Griffs.

Tim.

I agree with SSPG, just cut the bracket down then drill new holes or a slot. When I had my 4.3 pre-cat rad recored recently it came back with the brackets and hole centres about 4mm wide! All I did was slot the 10mm hole with a round file, just more than I needed, it bolted down a treat. Don't forget to put some rubber or high density foam under the bracket to give a bit of flexibility. I also put some sticky back high density foam strip around the periphery of the rad also so as the whole assembly cushioned down nicely. If possible use some stainless fixings as they will not corrode. All the best, Pete

[TimJM]

PeteGriff said:

I agree with SSPG, just cut the bracket down then drill new holes or a slot...

If you look carefully at the larger picture I posted you can just make out the holes are actually in the same place on both rads. It's just the replacement has a lot more metal outside the hole. The rad is not yet mine (was trying it out first as it has stood for a little time and wanted to make sure it doesn't leak under pressure) so didn't want to start taking grinders to it.

I will PM Wildfire (it's his rad) to see what's what. I can understand if he doesn't want the rad brackets ground down if it fits his and may be thinking of keeping for a spare.

Tim.

[PeteGriff]

TimJM said:

If you look carefully at the larger picture I posted you can just make out the holes are actually in the same place on both rads. It's just the replacement has a lot more metal outside the hole. The rad is not yet mine (was trying it out first as it has stood for a little time and wanted to make sure it doesn't leak under pressure) so didn't want to start taking grinders to it.

I will PM Wildfire (it's his rad) to see what's what. I can understand if he doesn't want the rad brackets ground down if it fits his and may be thinking of keeping for a spare.

Tim.

Hi Tim, why don't you just get your rad recored, mine was recently done at a local specialist in Colchester, cost £192 but was well worth it, even came with new top and bottom plates so there was new mounting bushes for the fan brackets. It looked like new and it saves you having to take it out again in the near future! Good opportunity to add those new silicon hoses you may have been promising yourself!! All the best, Pete

[boz]

Both sides of mine are like this. Will take off another 5mm when i refit, as its still tight & may damage the new paint. Will also use some plastic edging strip for a bit of extra protection.

Wolverhampton Radiators did a good job on re-coring mine a few years back.

Paul

[Colin RedGriff]

TimJM said:

Is it possible without reducing airflow to put in a finer mesh to stop stones/debris hitting the rad?

Tim.

I put in some of this to replace the chicken wire that was in there before

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/78606Aluminium-Mesh-Coar...


Griffith grill mesh by Colin RedGriff, on Flickr