Radiator advice needed.

Radiator advice needed.

Author
Discussion

Mr.Chips

Original Poster:

1,041 posts

221 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
Hi Guys,
My T350C still has it’s original radiator. It is one with the metal matrix but the plastic ends. It has reached the point where it will occasionally leak, but when pressure tested seems fine. I have reached the point where I can’t trust it, so want it changed. Here come the questions;
1) Which type of radiator is best? I really want an all metal (Aluminum?) one, but there seem to be a couple out there from different companies. Any recommendations?
2) Has anyone got an idea of the cost for a TVR specialist to fit?
Thanks for all positive responses.
wavey

GaryF

974 posts

260 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
I replaced my original Sag rad of the same type (plastic ends) with an all alloy one from Race Tech. I managed to do it myself without a ramp, but would not attempt it again.

It's been good for three, maybe four and a bit years now, so the original lasted ~13 years - not bad I suppose.

Interested to know the difference in price now between standard and all alloy. I've no info to offer though on whether all alloy will last longer...

non_linear

297 posts

90 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
I had the same issue last year on a 2004 T350. We fitted an aluminium rad from Radrec. The quality was very good although a total swine to fit. Can't give you a fitting price as we did several other things as well. I think I was quoted around £800 (inc rad) to fit a presumably standard TVRParts rad, which are around £350 but we went the Radtec route instead.

https://www.radtec.co.uk/shop/makes/tvr/t350/


Edited by non_linear on Wednesday 14th September 23:02

Adrian@

4,386 posts

289 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
I cannot see that mine has been replaced (it has plastic end caps). I am however looking for a spare plastic end cap version (to have it to hand, allowing me to build a spare one up ready for the day...) I'm based Coventry/Corley services (I can walk onto the M6 north or south bound services) Adrian@

mk1fan

10,651 posts

232 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
Hello all,

I fitted an Aaron Radiator ali varsion to Tamy seven years ago. https://www.aaronradiator.co.uk/ Local to me.

No issues, despite being mothballed for a considerable time. Website is terrible, radiator isn't. You may have to call them for a price.

ETA;

OP & Adrian. Looks like I'll be doing a Wales tour this half term - mid October (I'll know next week). Finish point is Wrexham so happy to meet up and provide TVR Courier Express on my way home if you choose to go for an Aaron rad. I can collect them on my way to my office.



Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 15th September 09:57

Adrian@

4,386 posts

289 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
Thanks, but, I will stick with OE. I can order a core in then pop across to my mates radiator business and fit the end tanks on it myself just need the base item to work with. A@

mk1fan

10,651 posts

232 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
No dramas.

OP,

I swapped the rad out on my drive. High lift ramps, or axle stands. Few basic tools. Hardest job was getting the undertray off as the regular screws were rusted. Replaced with stainless when putting back together.

non_linear

297 posts

90 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
mk1fan said:
No dramas.

OP,

I swapped the rad out on my drive. High lift ramps, or axle stands. Few basic tools. Hardest job was getting the undertray off as the regular screws were rusted. Replaced with stainless when putting back together.
T350 doesn't have a removable undertray. You have to go in from the top, after removing the oil reservoir, a total pain. If you are saying there is an undertray I will cry.weeping



Edited by non_linear on Thursday 15th September 12:07

Granturadriver

629 posts

268 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
The early T350 with the upright radiator have a removable undertray. The underbody us therefore different.

Edited by Granturadriver on Thursday 15th September 13:03

mk1fan

10,651 posts

232 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
non_linear said:
T350 doesn't have a removable undertray. You have to go in from the top, after removing the oil reservoir, a total pain. If you are saying there is an undertray I will cry.weeping
Plus the roof doesn't come off. Tams are soo much better laugh

Mr.Chips

Original Poster:

1,041 posts

221 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the responses so far. My T350 is an 05 model, so I don’t think there is an undertray.
Besides, I have the technical ability of a jellyfish, so I’ll be getting an indie to fit it. To anyone hoping to scavenge my old one, I am happy to help where possible on a first come first served basis, but I have already promised one of the parts to a PHer who emailed me.

Adrian@

4,386 posts

289 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
I did see that there are two different version with a cross-over of 2003, I will be under mine in the morning at the MOT. so I will know better to which version mine is in the morning. A@

non_linear

297 posts

90 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
mk1fan said:
Plus the roof doesn't come off. Tams are soo much better laugh
Actually it does, or should I say they do, it's a targa! biggrin

non_linear

297 posts

90 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
Mr.Chips said:
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the responses so far. My T350 is an 05 model, so I don’t think there is an undertray.
Besides, I have the technical ability of a jellyfish, so I’ll be getting an indie to fit it. To anyone hoping to scavenge my old one, I am happy to help where possible on a first come first served basis, but I have already promised one of the parts to a PHer who emailed me.
If you have aircon it is worth considering replacing the aircon rad while you are there, as it is directly under the cooling rad. I also replaced the fan connectors with waterproof ones. The list goes on....


Mr.Chips

Original Poster:

1,041 posts

221 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
non_linear said:
Mr.Chips said:
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the responses so far. My T350 is an 05 model, so I don’t think there is an undertray.
Besides, I have the technical ability of a jellyfish, so I’ll be getting an indie to fit it. To anyone hoping to scavenge my old one, I am happy to help where possible on a first come first served basis, but I have already promised one of the parts to a PHer who emailed me.
If you have aircon it is worth considering replacing the aircon rad while you are there, as it is directly under the cooling rad. I also replaced the fan connectors with waterproof ones. The list goes on....

Thanks for the advice, I do have aircon, so will look into replacing the rad. The waterproof fan connectors sound like a bloody good idea!

S6PNJ

5,352 posts

288 months

Thursday 15th September 2022
quotequote all
Mr.Chips said:
I do have aircon, so will look into replacing the rad.
If it's the same as the Tuscan condenser, it's one of these - https://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/condenser-aircon...
Not in stock but they are supplied by a company local to me ( http://www.autoairglos.net/ - don't sell to the public) and their 'public' outlet is AC Automotive - https://www.ac-automotive.co.uk/ who re-gassed my Tuscan earlier this year. AC Auto sold me a condenser and drier which I fitted before they leak-checked it and re-gassed the system.

non_linear

297 posts

90 months

Friday 16th September 2022
quotequote all
S6PNJ said:
If it's the same as the Tuscan condenser,
I'm pretty certain they are the same, it's a Sanden MFC-2068AE.
Whatever you do, don't get one from a TVR parts specialist as they will probably get them from TVR central.
My first was bent, the second was bent and rusty. Apparently they are old stock from Malaysia and had been stored/ transported in a stack which has bent them.



S6PNJ

5,352 posts

288 months

Friday 16th September 2022
quotequote all
non_linear said:
S6PNJ said:
If it's the same as the Tuscan condenser,
I'm pretty certain they are the same, it's a Sanden MFC-2068AE.
Same part number as in the first link I posted (probably available via the third link) so it seems to be the case.