Randy,
I was trying to point out in my very polite way that as far as I know (I have been wrong before) that the OEM seal is a flat washer and not an O ring.
The coolers I looked at tonight are flat on the mating surface with no O ring groove.
The surface inside the plastic tank is flat also with no O ring groove.
That is why we supply the correct flat rubber washer to effect the seal between the cooler and the plastic tank.
I am sure an O ring will work as well even though there is no goove for it to sit in.
Roger

 

The picture that Randy posted is one that I took. I went back and looked at the full size image and what you see, whether you want to call them washers or O-rings is what was inside originally. And it was the same on both of the radiators I took apart. It could have started out as o-ring but after 25 years of being compressed, it will appear to be flat. On the cooler there is a raised edge that surrounds the mating surface where the "seal" goes. That raised edge is most likely intended to make contact with the smooth surface inside the end tank to prevent the nut that secures the cooler from being tightened excessively which could then damage whatever seal it is, they use.

 

Just wanted to state what the manufacturer supplies - I will go back to selling parts now and leave you to it.
If you buy a plastic side tank from 928sRus it will come with the main seal that seals the tank to the radiator and also the correct flat rubber washers for sealing the cooler to the plastic tank.
$75 for either the cooler version or the non cooler version.
Best regards,
Roger

 

How do you braze rubber - got to get me some of dem Acme steel to rubber brazing rods and flux.

Braising is how to cook lesser quality cuts of meat - roast it in water.

 

No one is saying you're wrong, and I'm not claiming to be correct. All I'm saying is that when I got my end tank, it didn't come with those seals so I had to improvise, and from what I've seen so far, my solution has worked out fine for me, and it is a perfectly acceptable one for those who get new end tanks that don't happen to come with the seals yours have. In all honesty, I'd prefer to have had seals identical to the originals included with my end tank. The originals lasted 25 years, can't complain about that since behr specified replacements should last just as long.

 

Jason,
I never thought anyone was saying I was wrong - far from it - just trying to pass info along.
As I said more than once the O ring will work as well.
Thanks for taking the time to document your experiance with the end tanks.
Roger

 

Roger I don't know what it's all about but you're wrong

 

Yep, I was wrong. With the little bit of doubt in my mind and enough red wine last night to addle the brain of an elephant I decided to strip down a rad this morning. Yes a radiator - 5 speed of course - was killed in the process 8>)
The O ring groove is in the cooler and exactly as Jason had described.
Talked to my friendly local rad guy and he says they use a flat washer that sits over the existing O ring.
I guess either way would work. I will size the O rings and send the flat washers back.
Humble Pie for lunch.

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS !! The rad we stripped down had all of the tabs removed and the plastic end tank replaced using a strip of SS on all four sides. The two strips - short and long - have a part number. I know one Rennlister who tried to emulate this fix but if there is a standard part available we are home and dry for future fix's.

 

I will ask Mark if he does sell the seals. As Randy had to find them I guess he does not.
I am sure we will be both be supplying the O ring seals from now on with the tanks.
I will for sure.

Attached is a better picture of the O ring groove.

Also the repair strip for the sealing of the end tank to the rad.
The tabs on the rad had been cut flush with the metal surround and the new strip place over the top.

 

The word is 'karma', ya inbred illiterate.




Mark and Tom at 928 Int'l both indicated they were unable to get the seals as the trans cooler cannot be sourced separately from the radiator. Is that your understanding?

Great solution with the tab strip, Rog.

Using this allows the tank to be attached despite weakened tabs on the radiator?

How do you seal the tank ends - top and bottom?

 

Randy,
Sorry again that I was wrong.

There are two strips one long and one short.
Two long ones for the long side and two shorts for the top and bottom.
They are cut to the exact size needed and judging by the part numbers made specifically for this job.
I will see if I can source them on Monday.

The end tank cooler AFAIK cannot be sourced seperatley - but I have been wrong before 8>)

 

Buy me a drink and we'll call it even.




So those repair strips are Porsche OEM parts? Interesting they have a solution for end tank repair but don't source the trans cooler.

 

Back to the O ring - 29.7 x 3.5 works as I just tried it.
A little bit of stretch on the ID so 30 x 3.5 should be perfect.

 

Not Porsche as the numbers are not in the Porsche data base.
Maybe Behr so I will check with them first.

 

Great thread. Great discussion. Hell of a lot of critical information coming out. Am going to need some of those strips, plus other stuff.