Radiator Question
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From: Dubai, UAE. Oxford UK during semester.
Radiator Question
I'm in the process of having local guys build me an aluminium radiator but my funds have run a bit dry.
So I sent my old radiator in (which I absolutely HATE) it has been re-cored with copper in the past and is basically a piece of s***t.
Now here's what the guys sent back, and I'm a bit skeptical.
They said that the thing was almost completely blocked with scale so it was restricting water-flow, so they cleaned this.
Then they went ahead with modding the tanks to force the water to go through the radiator in a zig-zag fashion through sectioning off the tanks in 2 places. This would in theory increase the amount of time that the water would be exposed to the fins and therefore cool more.
Now will this put strain on the water pump? I haven't installed it yet because i'm still pondering over whether or not to through it off a cliff instead.
Any thoughts or advice would muchly be appreciated!
So I sent my old radiator in (which I absolutely HATE) it has been re-cored with copper in the past and is basically a piece of s***t.
Now here's what the guys sent back, and I'm a bit skeptical.
They said that the thing was almost completely blocked with scale so it was restricting water-flow, so they cleaned this.
Then they went ahead with modding the tanks to force the water to go through the radiator in a zig-zag fashion through sectioning off the tanks in 2 places. This would in theory increase the amount of time that the water would be exposed to the fins and therefore cool more.
Now will this put strain on the water pump? I haven't installed it yet because i'm still pondering over whether or not to through it off a cliff instead.
Any thoughts or advice would muchly be appreciated!
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From: Boulder Creek, CA
I dont see a water pump problem here at all...but Id let more chime in.
Heck..I suppose I would defer radiator smarts to someone that build them in such a severe hot climate.
Heck..I suppose I would defer radiator smarts to someone that build them in such a severe hot climate.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Oman
Phil,
To do what you describe they would have to create a "three pass" set up. I understand the stock radiator is a singlepass unit [but I do not know that for a fact]. If so, this means that the water flow velocity would be have to be 3 times greater and the pressure drop across the core 9 times greater to achieve the same overall flow rate across the core and I suspect that is impossible.
This mod will not harm your water pump in any way but it will operate on a different part of its pump curve and for sure the flow round the hydraulic circuit will be reduced [if the stock radiator is a single pass unit].
As to whether it improves overall heat transfer [relative to a single pass clean radiator] remains to be seen but I very much doubt it on our cars - suggest you simply try it out once you have the fans operational and see what happens- nothing to lose as long as you keep an eye on things.
If the radiator was clagged up what did the PO use in it- sea water? Let's hope your engine is not clagged up. If you have not done so already suggest you pull the thermostat housing and see what is going on in and around there. Last thing you need is a partial blockages in the thermostat flow path. Mix your coolant with battery [dsitilled] water. As I advised earlier I use a 30% mix with a bottle of Redline water wetter chucked in.
When you fill the system you will invariably need to "burp it" to get all the air out. Let the system warm up with the expansion tank cap off [do not let it boil] and squeeze the top water hose a few times to help get the air out- the level will likely drop and then you can top it off. Just keep an eye on the level in the tank the first few times you drive the car until it stabilises.
Good luck
Fred
To do what you describe they would have to create a "three pass" set up. I understand the stock radiator is a singlepass unit [but I do not know that for a fact]. If so, this means that the water flow velocity would be have to be 3 times greater and the pressure drop across the core 9 times greater to achieve the same overall flow rate across the core and I suspect that is impossible.
This mod will not harm your water pump in any way but it will operate on a different part of its pump curve and for sure the flow round the hydraulic circuit will be reduced [if the stock radiator is a single pass unit].
As to whether it improves overall heat transfer [relative to a single pass clean radiator] remains to be seen but I very much doubt it on our cars - suggest you simply try it out once you have the fans operational and see what happens- nothing to lose as long as you keep an eye on things.
If the radiator was clagged up what did the PO use in it- sea water? Let's hope your engine is not clagged up. If you have not done so already suggest you pull the thermostat housing and see what is going on in and around there. Last thing you need is a partial blockages in the thermostat flow path. Mix your coolant with battery [dsitilled] water. As I advised earlier I use a 30% mix with a bottle of Redline water wetter chucked in.
When you fill the system you will invariably need to "burp it" to get all the air out. Let the system warm up with the expansion tank cap off [do not let it boil] and squeeze the top water hose a few times to help get the air out- the level will likely drop and then you can top it off. Just keep an eye on the level in the tank the first few times you drive the car until it stabilises.
Good luck
Fred