BEST RAD M SERIES

BEST RAD M SERIES

Author
Discussion

plasticpig1972

Original Poster:

203 posts

53 months

Thursday 13th August 2020
quotequote all
So what Rad do you Guys think is the best for a M Series.
Is it the Front low wide Rad or the Central Rad.
Also traditional Rad or Alloy Rad.
Extra Rows or Standard.
What conclusions have you come to.
We all know we need 2 Fans either infront or behind the Rad.
On my 3000M there is also a GRP Moulding under the Spare Wheel to help Air Flow.
On my 3000S there is a Sheet Alloy Ducting infront of the Rad to help Air Flow.
cheers
Alan

magpies

5,145 posts

189 months

Thursday 13th August 2020
quotequote all
Probably need to know if the engine is standard or modified, what power?
The fans definitely need to be behind and pull air through the rad.

plasticpig72

1,647 posts

156 months

Thursday 13th August 2020
quotequote all
On my 3000S the Fans are behind.
On my 3000M the Fans are infront.
The 3000S runs hotter than the 3000M.
Imho i don't think infront or behind makes a difference.
The important thing is the Thermal capacity of the Rad to cool.
For sure Ducting to be sure the Cooling Air goes through the Rad Matrix.
On my 3000S it still has heavy Insulation under the Bonnet and i'm thinking that's why it's running hotter.
Alan

nwarner

612 posts

267 months

Thursday 13th August 2020
quotequote all
I have the Capri rad on my 3000S with the fan on the front of the engine and never had a problem with it overheating even on days over 30C

Nige

plasticpig1972

Original Poster:

203 posts

53 months

Thursday 13th August 2020
quotequote all
Hi Nige,
so central Rad which are on later Cars and easily available.
They seem to be the favourite and make a lot of sense. Plus cheaper.
Is it easy to convert to central Rad and i imagine you remove the Swirlpot/Tower.
cheers
Alan

Edited by plasticpig1972 on Friday 14th August 15:31

nwarner

612 posts

267 months

Friday 14th August 2020
quotequote all
No idea how to convert, I'm afraid as mine is a later 3000S. There's no swirl pot, just a non sprung cap on the rad and a sprung one on the overflow tank.

Nige

plasticpig1972

Original Poster:

203 posts

53 months

Saturday 15th August 2020
quotequote all
On my 3000M there is a very small leak on a bottom corner of the Rad which i have tried to fix.

Looking on the net i saw alloy Rads 62mm thick for a very good price from China.
So i have ordered one which will take several weeks to arrive.
I will see when it arrives if i have made a mistake.

When it arrives i'll let you boys know what i think.
Alan

Andrew Gray

4,969 posts

156 months

Saturday 15th August 2020
quotequote all
Alan
As some have said rear is ideal but i don't think it makes a massive difference i have done over 20 000 miles this way and in all conditions.
I run the fans on the front as that's the way it was when i got it, so when i refurbed the rad and added new fans after one failed i left it that way.
I have added a plate to mount the spare wheel which brings the spare further back as when its in the normal position it blocks some air flow to the rad.
I have had one of those Chinese rads in the workshop as a friend bought one for me to fit on his car.
It was in the workshop a short time as i told him to send it back as i was not happy to fit it.
We took his old one and had it re cored and sorted which is IMOP the best option.
There are some very good Alloy UK Made replacements for the front low rad available yes twice the price however you get what you pay for.






plasticpig1972

Original Poster:

203 posts

53 months

Sunday 16th August 2020
quotequote all
Thanks Andrew,
for the photos + info.
The idea of making the plate adapter to move the Spare further back looks good. How much does it move the Spare back approx. On my 3000S there is also some sheet alloy to direct the Airflow through the Rad which looks original fitting.
cheers
Alan

Andrew Gray

4,969 posts

156 months

Wednesday 19th August 2020
quotequote all
Moves it about 5 inches basically as far as i could you need to remove engine fan however on a front long low rad early car thats not needed.
Andrew

anonymous-user

61 months

Thursday 20th August 2020
quotequote all
Andrew Gray said:
Moves it about 5 inches basically as far as i could you need to remove engine fan however on a front long low rad early car thats not needed.
Andrew
No worries on the additional heat and the impact on the tyre life Andrew?

plasticpig1972

Original Poster:

203 posts

53 months

Thursday 20th August 2020
quotequote all
Hi TVRMS,
you must be the only person that puts a new Tyre under the Bonnet to worry about it LOL.
Alan

anonymous-user

61 months

Thursday 20th August 2020
quotequote all
plasticpig1972 said:
Hi TVRMS,
you must be the only person that puts a new Tyre under the Bonnet to worry about it LOL.
Alan
I don’t carry a spare on any of my cars, but if I did, I’d like to think it were serviceable when I came to use it.

LOL

plasticpig1972

Original Poster:

203 posts

53 months

Thursday 20th August 2020
quotequote all
Hi TVRMs,
could you tell me why you do'nt carry a Spare Wheel.
Is it to help with cooling or have you fitted a bigger Rad and there's not enough room.
It would be interresting to know what different owners have done to keep their Cars nice and cool.
I know on my Lotus Elan Sprint all around the Rad is blocked so Air must go through the Rad.
Has your Car got central Rad or Front Rad, is it original or Alloy.
Thanks in advance for info
Alan

anonymous-user

61 months

Thursday 20th August 2020
quotequote all
None of my modern cars have spare wheels fitted.

My race car has no spare but is fitted with an upright Griff/Chim alloy rad. It runs at 65 deg C.

My V8 M has the same rad with shuttering to ensure all air goes though the rad. It runs on the stat at no more than 88 deg C. It has no spare.

None of my motorbikes have spares.

Last puncture, not in the last 30 year. I’m also getting too old to lift a 15 inch wheel and tyre from under the bonnet of an M...

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 20th August 14:59

plasticpig1972

Original Poster:

203 posts

53 months

Friday 21st August 2020
quotequote all
So has anyone changed their car from Front low Rad to a Central Rad like used on the Ford Capri.
I imagine someone has done this and if so was it difficult. How did you do it.
Cheers
Alan

Andrew Gray

4,969 posts

156 months

Friday 21st August 2020
quotequote all
TVRMs said:
No worries on the additional heat and the impact on the tyre life Andrew?
Never really plan on using it John just fills the gap that would be there without it and if it ever gets used well i will take my chance however i recon the heat will be less than the ones on the road after a good drive out
In about 50 000 miles deriving pre 80s TVRs i have never used a spare wheel
Andrew

plasticpig1972

Original Poster:

203 posts

53 months

Monday 24th August 2020
quotequote all
Update,
the Alloy 62mm thick Rad arrived today from China and first impression is good. It has 2 Bleed/Drains one on top right and other on bottom left. I have removed the top right Plug and fitted a brass take off for the bleed to Water Tower.
I did a low air pressure test with soapy water to be sure there are no leaks. I remember buying from DGs an alloy water Tower that leaked so wanted to be sure.
I will fit the Rad in the next few days and let you all know the result.
Alan

plasticpig1972

Original Poster:

203 posts

53 months

Wednesday 26th August 2020
quotequote all
Alloy Rad from China fitted and no leaks for the moment.
I will take the 3000S for a test run in the next few days with the Spare wheel in place.
Alan

2x kenlowe fitted behind rad

Edited by plasticpig1972 on Thursday 27th August 14:59

plasticpig1972

Original Poster:

203 posts

53 months

Saturday 12th September 2020
quotequote all
Test driven with new alloy Rad and Snorkel/Plenum.
It runs sooo well and cools well spot on, well pleased.
Alan