Aluminium Radiator

[greyhulk]

So im calling upon the wise S jedi council again
Been pricing up these rads, ACT stocks them at £409 excluding VAT which seems alot of friggin money! Has anyone fitted one of these to there S? If so where did you get yours & are there any actual benefits in comparison to the standard ones most of us have.

thanks in advance

[v8s4me]

I fitted a Rad-tec alloy rad from ACT to my V8S. The first one weeped from a hairline crack after a few months but before it could be replaced under warranty I stuffed it into a road sign. The replacement has been fine so far (4 years). They are a lovely bit of kit and shine nicely under the bonnet but if I had the choice again I'd simply have the old rad re-cored. Phillpot had my old rad and did just that and it looked brand new. Oh for 20-20 hindsight.

[greyhulk]

blimey, think ill go down the route of a recore then, any ideas on cost?

[Scoobimax]

greyhulk said:

blimey, think ill go down the route of a recore then, any ideas on cost?

I think my re-core was about £150/£200 - can't remember exact cost now but can recommend the place that did it. They turned it round in about 3. Days.

Let me know if you want the details (J29a M1) - they may do courier service if not local to you.

[AutoAndy]

Only one word of caution....Not based on any sound knowledge...

..but, an OK S does not normally overheat....I am also aware of one with an Ali rad which over-cools.....sometimes less is more

[Alan461]

Scoobimax said:

I think my re-core was about £150/£200 - can't remember exact cost now but can recommend the place that did it. They turned it round in about 3. Days.

Let me know if you want the details (J29a M1) - they may do courier service if not local to you.

Hello Max,
I need two recores atm, can you pass me their details.
Cheers Alan

[Scoobimax]

Alan461 said:

Hello Max,
I need two recores atm, can you pass me their details.
Cheers Alan

Autocool Radiators of Worksop Ltd
Unit 58, M1 Commerce Park, Markham Lane, Duckmanton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5HS
Tel: [phone]

[Alan461]

Scoobimax said:

Autocool Radiators of Worksop Ltd
Unit 58, M1 Commerce Park, Markham Lane, Duckmanton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5HS
Tel: [phone]

[greyhulk]

AutoAndy said:

Only one word of caution....Not based on any sound knowledge...

..but, an OK S does not normally overheat....I am also aware of one with an Ali rad which over-cools.....sometimes less is more

Mines running at around 90-95 just thought a rad recore wouldn't harm it, I'd personally rather it running a lil cooler
@scoobimax thanks for the details will give them a shout

[v8s4me]

If you do find it runs a little cooler you can always change the otter switch to one which clicks in a little higher than the one you've got.

Bizarrely, my first rad made the engine run noticeably cooler while with the second one the fans are on nearly all the time to keep it at optimum. Strange. Stick with old tech, it's what was designed for the car.

[e21Mark]

AH Fabrications made me a custom spec aluminium rad for less than £300. The quality is first class and I wouldn't hesitate in using them or their services again.

[greyhulk]

v8s4me said:

If you do find it runs a little cooler you can always change the otter switch to one which clicks in a little higher than the one you've got.

Bizarrely, my first rad made the engine run noticeably cooler while with the second one the fans are on nearly all the time to keep it at optimum. Strange. Stick with old tech, it's what was designed for the car.

Hmm sounds like the original rad recored would do me.
At the moment im driving with the manual override fan on all the time to keep it around that temp and cabin heater on (already replaced thermostat, checked for airlocks, flushed out old coolant and replaced with new stuff etc)

@e21mark damn that looks good and sounds like you got a good price for it there, I think with vat & delivery would be around £470+ from act

[greymrj]

Recognised as one of the best firms for radiator restorations are Hartlepool Radiators (01429 236300), long established and well respected. Courier to and from. I have used them and am totally satified in their work, and great to deal with. They will be getting the rad (original) off my S this winter to deal with a small weap.

[v8s4me]

e21Mark said:

...AH Fabrications made me a custom spec aluminium rad ....

I does look very good. But all those little folds and seams on the top at the ends? Won't this create lots of little stress points which could fracture?

[e21Mark]

v8s4me said:

e21Mark said:

...AH Fabrications made me a custom spec aluminium rad ....

I does look very good. But all those little folds and seams on the top at the ends? Won't this create lots of little stress points which could fracture?

I don't think so, no. My last one managed 5 years without issue before the car was written off. AH Fabrications have a pretty solid reputation anyway.

https://www.ahfabrications.com/

[v8s4me]

If you're going to have one custom made why not have a separate core on the end for an oil cooler?

[Oldred_V8S]

greyhulk said:

Hmm sounds like the original rad recored would do me.
At the moment im driving with the manual override fan on all the time to keep it around that temp and cabin heater on (already replaced thermostat, checked for airlocks, flushed out old coolant and replaced with new stuff etc)

@e21mark damn that looks good and sounds like you got a good price for it there, I think with vat & delivery would be around £470+ from act

Had my old one recored and have to say it looks superb, definitely runs cooler. The ali rads look good, but I would worry about cracks and getting getting the unit repaired in the future.

[greyhulk]

As good as the alley ones look I'm going to stick with the original and just get it recored. Thanks again S Jedi council your wisdom is most appreciated