Removing radiator from V8
Discussion
Can anyone give me brief accounts/tips about how they removed the radiator out of their V8? A local mechanic who builds and races Porsches on the side offered to do it for me but he's never removed a radiator from a Lotus...
I suspect we should lift the car by its jackpoints to leave as much room as possible. What components need to be removed first? A/C condensor? Oil cooler? Anything he should watch out for? Is it a two-man job? Special tools?
All insights are greatly appreciated.
I suspect we should lift the car by its jackpoints to leave as much room as possible. What components need to be removed first? A/C condensor? Oil cooler? Anything he should watch out for? Is it a two-man job? Special tools?
All insights are greatly appreciated.
Not hard, done my 89SE (probably very similar to the V8) and an 83 turbo.
The main thing with the SE and V8 is that the oil coolers are in the way and can prevent the tray under the radiator from being removed. Also the oil cooler fittings are prone to breaking, so care is needed. They can be removed or rotated out of the way.
The rest is easy, though the AC lines are short, and make dropping the tray difficult, due to not wanting to stress those AC lines.
The main thing with the SE and V8 is that the oil coolers are in the way and can prevent the tray under the radiator from being removed. Also the oil cooler fittings are prone to breaking, so care is needed. They can be removed or rotated out of the way.
The rest is easy, though the AC lines are short, and make dropping the tray difficult, due to not wanting to stress those AC lines.
Remove the front spoiler lip and oil cooler undertrays, and I believe you will have to remove the fog lites and horn.
Remove the header tank cap and drain the coolant using the drain at the bottom right corner of the radiator or pull the lower rad hose.
The oil coolers are fastened through the floor of the front storage compartment with 2 bolts each, remove those so you can move the oil coolers out of the way. No need to disconnect the oil coolers or a/c condensor. Disconnect the wiring to the fans and cut the wire ties securing the wires to the fan housing and radiator duct.
Remove the bolts holding the radiator duct in place which houses the radiator and a/c condensor. Drop it carefully as it is bulky and fairly heavy and a second pair of hands is quite handy. The condensor is fastened to the radiator with a bracket in the center and to the housing with bolts in each end. Remove the fasteners and you should be able to drop the radiator duct with the radiator and fans in it leaving the a/c condensor hanging. Support the condensor as best you can by tie wiring it in place so as not to hang by the a/c hoses.
A lift is a plus in my book as everything is done from underneath except for unbolting the oil coolers and I hate lying on my back under the car soaked in coolant....
Figure 2-3 hours to take out and about the same back in, and then you get to fill and bleed the system which is more loads of fun.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Cheers,
Jim
Remove the header tank cap and drain the coolant using the drain at the bottom right corner of the radiator or pull the lower rad hose.
The oil coolers are fastened through the floor of the front storage compartment with 2 bolts each, remove those so you can move the oil coolers out of the way. No need to disconnect the oil coolers or a/c condensor. Disconnect the wiring to the fans and cut the wire ties securing the wires to the fan housing and radiator duct.
Remove the bolts holding the radiator duct in place which houses the radiator and a/c condensor. Drop it carefully as it is bulky and fairly heavy and a second pair of hands is quite handy. The condensor is fastened to the radiator with a bracket in the center and to the housing with bolts in each end. Remove the fasteners and you should be able to drop the radiator duct with the radiator and fans in it leaving the a/c condensor hanging. Support the condensor as best you can by tie wiring it in place so as not to hang by the a/c hoses.
A lift is a plus in my book as everything is done from underneath except for unbolting the oil coolers and I hate lying on my back under the car soaked in coolant....
Figure 2-3 hours to take out and about the same back in, and then you get to fill and bleed the system which is more loads of fun.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Cheers,
Jim
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