Defender 90 MPI radiator needed

Rougharse Racing said:

I think that re-coring a factory radiator may result in a better quality radiator than many aftermarket radiators, the price won't be that different either.

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I agree with this!

I have a shiny new core, full thickness of the radiator because that is what they could buy off the shelf. I guess the fan will be out of work now.
There is still one problem. I can not get the connection of the rubber part with the heater hoses to the metal pipe to seal. The tube connecting the hoses was 32mm aluminium. With some effort that sealed properly with the original rubber hose. The new hoses are made of silicone rubber and leak, but only at this joint. I got myself a 35mm stainless tube that slides in nicely, but it is still leaking. No, the double clamp did not help, but I expected that. I found a 38mm tube, but that was too thick.
I am tempted to put the original hose back in, but that one is 25 years old.. What to do now? Is it not sealing because there is no flange on the tube (worked with the original hose), or the silicone rubber? Can anyone tell me what metal pipe is supposed to be used, and if it is still available? The same for the rubber part: does this look familiar? I checked the parts catalogue of all contemporary Land Rovers but can not find it.

I can really recommend Guildford radiators, they recored my brass/copper rad - forget how much it was but it was about the same as buying a plastic and alloy far east special.

Also try a smear of rtv round the outside of that metal pipe

Nice new core

Not sure what size my pipe is never hard to take it off (yet)

Does the original have a bead on it? you can put a bead on the old ally one with a little bit of bodgery

J

marjon said:

Nice new core

Not sure what size my pipe is never hard to take it off (yet)

Does the original have a bead on it? you can put a bead on the old ally one with a little bit of bodgery

J

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Did you make that tool? What a totally excellent lashup

flat said:

Did you make that tool? What a totally excellent lashup

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Sorry not mine lost the 1 i made years ago, it was a 1 off need that worked. cant even remember what car it was now.

J

Nice tool, but it won't do much on the stainless pipe I have now I'm afraid.
Maybe I need to change to aluminium again and find someone who can make a bead. Or find a proper rubber hose, because the original hose did not need it.
Nobody recognizes the hose? I doubt it was specifically made for the 90 MPI.

I had a pipe made to size, but I just found out that all connections are moist. My girlfriend suggested self-vulcanizing rubber tape round all metal parts before putting the hoses back on, but I am not sure that's not a bodge job. If I can not stop the leaks the entire kit is going back to Italy. Maybe the silicone rubber is too slippery to form a good seal. I am wondering though what people do in cases like this. Can you have someone copy the old hoses?

I'm going to bump this thread because of selfish reasons. Was this ever solved? I am attempting to overhaul my MPi and my initial approach is to just make custom tubing and connections to make this all work. Thoughts?

That pipe along the lower part of the radiator is impossible to find.

As it only appears to be a straight piece of pipe I wouldn't think its difficult to replicate, the OP did it with SS but still seemed to have issues, but alas he never came back to say if/how he fixed.

If you still have the original why not use that? (pretty sure you do as you said you have been driving it).

J

I am planning to use the original but I want to have a back up plan. As the once famous Mike Tyson said "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face."

Always have a backup plan.

SpagettiDefender said:

I am planning to use the original but I want to have a back up plan. As the once famous Mike Tyson said "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face."

Always have a backup plan.

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Did you find a new 1? if so where, do they have other stuff?
Asking for a friend vehicle near me.

J

marjon said:

Did you find a new 1? if so where, do they have other stuff?
Asking for a friend vehicle near me.

J

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I just got denied by John Craddock....the search continues. That being said I've sourced most everything else. I am a little stumped on the Radiator part number - this is what got me interested in reviving this thread plus the pipe thingy. However, I think it's the same as the V8...I need to do some more investigating and verification.....

SpagettiDefender said:

I just got denied by John Craddock....the search continues. That being said I've sourced most everything else. I am a little stumped on the Radiator part number - this is what got me interested in reviving this thread plus the pipe thingy. However, I think it's the same as the V8...I need to do some more investigating and verification.....

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They look the same size rads and have the cooler fittings in 1 side (not used on the MPI) the only diff I can make out is the bottom hose outlet on the v8 comes out straight where as the MPI comes out at a 90.
I am sure there is somewhere near you that would do recores like the OP did.

If you read the fred again you will see the discussion about it.

J

This goes back to if I do custom hoses then this won't matter much since I can do 90 degree bends no problem.