Radiator repair

[alexander]

Used the Javelin for work yesterday, lots of steam from under the bonnet, radiator giving a good impression of a colander. Took best part of three hours to remove today ( bottom hoses a bit of a fiddle) looks to be a recore rather than repair. Any advice on any mods I should ask for when getting the rad repaired.
Alexander

[Keith Clements]

Get a new aluminium one from Coolex.

[David Morris]

Hi Alexander,

Yes, you need either a new radiator of a recore. I am not sure if JCS do them, but I can recommend Arrow Radiators ( I think they have several branches in the UK). I had mine recored with one of their five core units, as the Javelin radiator uses a standard-sized core that is still in stock. This completely cured my overheating problems. I has two raditors done at Arrow's and when I passed the spare one on to Chris Cole, this also cured his Javelin's overheating, so much so, that his Javelin now seldom even gets to 75 degrees!

All the best,

David

[alexander]

Thanks both,Keith do you know if the Coolex rad comes with the side brackets for the choke connecting bar.
So far a quote for recore is £350-£500

[David Morris]

Hi Alexander,

I suggest you ask JCS first for a quote, as I expect they have reconditioned radiators in stock? Just ensure they stock the five core version, as I don't think the standard three core version will be good enough??

I remember that my recore at Arrow cost around £250, or maybe a bit less, but that was some time ago, and we secured a discount by having two radiators done at the same time.

Hope this helps,

David

[alexander]

Emailed JCS and Paul got back very quickly , rads are out of stock but on order. Coolex have lost the Javelin template but have given them core size and they will get back in the morning. They will need my rad to copy for brackets etc.

[David Morris]

Hi Alexander,

I think Arrow's are a local company, not nationwide as I first thought. They are based in Melksham, but offer free collection and delivery? Obviously, JCS would be my first point of call, but as you may now be in situation to go outside the JCS network as they are waiting for stock, it might be worth giving them a call? They were very helpful and gave me good service.

All the best,

David

PS, John Airey made a lovely transit case for my spare radiator, which I passed over to Chris Cole when he took over the spare I had in stock. He might be able to pass it onto you? I guess this means we had at least three radiators reconditioned at Arrow's?

[alexander]

Thanks David for your help once again .
Today A TR register friend put me in touch with a Coventry radiator repair man, as he is only 8 miles away I went to see him and he will fit a better core ie more cooling and charged £240 including vat. Should be ready in a week.
Coolex were very helpful but needed my rad as a template and are 70 miles away , cost was £495 plus vat which for aluminium rad is probably about right.

[David Morris]

Hi Alexander,

Sounds like a good result! I suspect your recore quote is for the five core rad. which I would recommend.

I suppose you have a Jupiter, where everything is lovely and exposed? If you are working on a Javelin, and havn't got the old rad out yet, be prepared for a struggle with the bottom two mounting bolts. They are s.d's! You are working in a very confined place on a Javelin.

We found if, when you get to replacing the radiator, by using longer SS lower bolts allows your fingers to start the nuts much easier than on the original short bolts! I bet the air in the factory must have been blue!

All the best,

David

[Forumadmin]

Coolex should have the patterns for Jav and Jup as I gave them mine. But they moved premises a couple of years ago so may have mislaid them.
I reckon aly rads are about 30% more efficient. There is some discussion on JT about different cores. Some opinion suggest that a modern core with its close fins does not allow air through like the open original core type. An electric fan may be the answer with such a core.
Of course opinions differ and we rarely get 30deg C plus weather here to test them, so learning from the Aussies and Californians helps.

[alexander]

We may have 30C today in places so every little improvement in cooling would help today.Just out of interest some years ago everyone was talking about “wetter water” higher boiling I understand to water. I did not go that way as it seemed rather expensive and I would rather know if my cooling system was not doing as it should, rather than possibly masking a problem. I stand to be corrected but I think “wetter water” was developed for competition use then came on the classic car market.

[p.p.]

just a brief info:

done the Goodwood Revival in hot weather..... my Temp. got only to 80° most!!!!long stop and go period....
with a help from my electric fan and the 5 core typ rad.
also the insulating the exaust in front and insulating all fuel lines !!!! specially the one's over the engine !!!

so my "Rhowina" was a very happy girl

regards from switzerland
peter