v8 rad identification

RacingSnake · Feb 6, 2016

Hi guys,
My car is 3.9v8 conversion from a 2.5TD.
Is there any way that I can check if the rad has been changed? any features the V8 rad should have?

The garage I took it to for the water pump said that it was running hot and boiled over on idle - it was fine with the fans running (though the auto-switch has also failed, so they need to be run on manual). ANyway, they suggested that maybe the rad wasn't appropriate to the big v8?

Happy to change it out, but if there any features I can check to see if this is the case?

Thanks (again) in advance

cooltide · Feb 7, 2016

Post up PICs of what you've got

waldamar · Feb 7, 2016

I'll try to get a photo up for you but from memory............... standing at the front of the landy, so your left/right etc. Rad has bottom hose [at the bottom!] on the your left [drivers side] at the top you'll have a filler plug and a small pipe up to your header tank [some have two - don't know why] On your right there's a big hose at the top of the rad that goes to thermostat housing. Fixings ought to be two galvinised brackets - one each side that picks up on pegs from the rad with rubber isolating rings. I flushed and reflushed mine - still running hot, then it weeped a bit so I replaced it and been fine since - not on leccy fans though. Have you got a reliable temp gauge? £30.00 for a mechanical [Tim or Durite] is money well spent - good luck

RacingSnake · Feb 7, 2016

cooltide said:
Post up PICs of what you've got

here we go:

on the right (drivers side):

on the left (passenger):

waldamar said:
I'll try to get a photo up for you but from memory............... standing at the front of the landy, so your left/right etc. Rad has bottom hose [at the bottom!] on the your left [drivers side] at the top you'll have a filler plug and a small pipe up to your header tank [some have two - don't know why] On your right there's a big hose at the top of the rad that goes to thermostat housing. Fixings ought to be two galvinised brackets - one each side that picks up on pegs from the rad with rubber isolating rings. I flushed and reflushed mine - still running hot, then it weeped a bit so I replaced it and been fine since - not on leccy fans though. Have you got a reliable temp gauge? £30.00 for a mechanical [Tim or Durite] is money well spent - good luck

Description does seem to match mine, and it does actually seem in really good condition.
Temp gauge doesn't work (was told this as I turned up to pay for it, but was also told "don't worry, it doesn't run hot though! ffs).... anyway, I've identified it's the sender unit and have ordered a new one of those.

waldamar · Feb 7, 2016

I'm guessing a new thermostat was fitted along with w/pump? I'd still go for mech. temp gauge - originals are vague even when working. Good luck

RacingSnake · Feb 7, 2016

waldamar said:
I'm guessing a new thermostat was fitted along with w/pump?

I don't believe so - think they just did the pump :|
I am assuming this is working ok though as when the fans are switched on, it does cool it all down (apparently).

waldamar · Feb 7, 2016

RacingSnake said:
I don't believe so - think they just did the pump :|
I am assuming this is working ok though as when the fans are switched on, it does cool it all down (apparently).

I'd give it a very good flush, chemical stuff then rad out and reverse flush that, thermostat out and test/replace, fix fan switch if possible then see how it behaves - if you're running hot now think what it'll be like in the summer............

discool · Feb 7, 2016

You rad looks similar to mine what I can see of it, it has the two brass oil cooler connections on the off side and one on the near side

Question is... are your fans blowing or sucking, the standard viscous or even the old fixed fan would have sucked air through the radiator.
Blowing fan/s would have been fitted on the outside of the rad, it's an important cooling feature to get right.

RacingSnake · Feb 7, 2016

Thanks guys,
I'll check the fan direction - I did however encounter another issue whilst poking and prodding the pipes... the top pipe (pump to rad), has a bloody pin hole in it... so it was venting bubbles out.
So have ordered a new one of those. - I wonder if it was enough to leak air into the system (doesn't look like it's quirted water out), and just reduce the efficiency?

Anyway, it sounds like I've got the right rad, and I do think the stat is ok... so I've got the fan switch, the gauge sender and now the pipe to change - so looks like I need to drain out the system anyway (I was charged £20 for the antifreeze in this blasted thing only 4 days ago!! lol).
I'll flush through the rad whilst the pipes are off.

cooltide · Feb 8, 2016

RacingSnake said:
so looks like I need to drain out the system anyway (I was charged £20 for the antifreeze in this blasted thing only 4 days ago!! lol).
I'll flush through the rad whilst the pipes are off.

In that case, put an 82 deg stat in at the same time.

waldamar · Feb 8, 2016

You can save and re-use the coolant, let it stand in the container while you do the work then pour it back in VERY gently [strain through a jay cloth] it'll be fine.

v8 rad identification

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