+2 radiator

[rdssdi]

I had my +2 radiator recored with an extra row for around 200 dollars.

I was considering a "full width" aluminum radiator. Does anyone know where to
source this? How difficult is it to relocate the ancillary parts that mounted
onto the original radiator mounting brackets.

Any pictures?

Bob
1969 Elan +2

[Dave50/1]

Bob- I bought a full width radiator from Dave Bean. It has worked great, especially in our Texas summers. I had to completely fabricate the mounting brackets, as it extends pretty well across the fender wells. This was made easier as it came with 4 threaded bungs welded into the tanks on eitherside.

The biggest problem I have is that there is now no room for the "cold" air supply hose from the nose to the air box.

I had no ancillary parts mounted onto the original brackets.

Dave


----- Original Message -----
From:
To: ***@***.***
Sent: 11/17/2003 6:52:15 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] +2 radiator


I had my +2 radiator re cored with an extra row for around 200 dollars.

I was considering a "full width" aluminum radiator. Does anyone know where to
source this? How difficult is it to relocate the ancillary parts that mounted
onto the original radiator mounting brackets.

Any pictures?

Bob
1969 Elan +2

[lotuselan2]

Better to have a thicker rather than wider radiator and keep the cold air
inlet.

Ken
'69 +2 with BDR

[lotuselan2]

Don't sacrifice the cold air inlet for more width of radiator. One or two
extra rows will do a lot and keep installation simpler. I have a lot of power
and it works for me. Now, I do crave Ali!


Ken
'69 +2 with BDR

[+2R160]

Bob, I fitted a Tony Thompson Racing (TTR) 26R spec radiator to my
+2. He may have a US outlet or be able to ship for a reasonable
price. This radiator is aluminium and designed to work with an
aluminium swirl pot/header tank that Tony also supplies.

It is a lovely piece of period competition style kit, BUT it is not a
straightforward fit on the +2. Firstly, you may struggle to locate
the swirl pot/header tank due to the servo (depending on location on
LHD) - though I used this as an excuse to remove my servo, which I
had been planning to do for a while. Also, you will need to fabricate
two brackets to locate on the radiator lower mounting bosses (the top
is supported well enough by the top hose).

It is a tight fit and you probably would struggle with the standard
air feed hose for the carbs - even if you ovaled this. I use a couple
of flexible aluminium hoses of a smaller diameter to feed the cold
air to them. I also made an aluminium bracket to fix the recuperator
bottle to the inner wing, and use a Pacet fan which attaches directly
through the radiator core.

It is a fair bit of work and quite expensive, but it does and looks
the job (and of course you can sell the original bits to recoup some
of the cost).

Regards, David. (Sorry, no digital pics currently but I will get
some scanned at some point).




--- In ***@***.***, ***@***.***e:

[schwartzd13]

Hi,
Would there be anything wrong with slotting the radiator mounting holes
to position the bottom of the radiator a bit more forward?
I'm trying to get better clearance for the engine fan.
Thanks in advance
-David
69 S4

[elansprint71]

David,
Before you do this check the clearance between the radiator cap and the bonnet (hood), it is usually zero! Best way to do this is put a blob of plasticine (modelling clay) on the rad cap and push the bonnet down, this gives you an indication of the clearance.

Vey few Elans and 2's have not had this problem at some time, check the number of star cracks around!!

Cheers,

Pete. (with L shaped slotted holes).

[lotuselan2]

David
I don't see any problem. One thing many owners ignore is making sure all of
the air that comes through the nose goes to the air filter or through the
radiator. When you are done look for gaps at sides and on top. I have a 2"x2"
foam strip glued to underside of hood, it makes a great seal across the top of
radiator and extends full width over the air dams on both sides. I fab'd my
own air dams on side as originals were junk or nonexistent.

Ken
'69 +2 with BDR

[fjselan at aol.com]

David,
I moved my radiator 3/4 inch forward, top and bottom to make space for an
eight blade plastic fan. You may need a longer hose from the thermostat housing
to the top of the rad. Northern Cal gets hot in the summer and the two blade
steel fan is worthless.
Finn 67 S 3

[schwartzd13]

Thanks to all for their responses.
I just needed a bit of clearance as the fan blades were skimming the
bottom tank of the radiator. No other clearance issues, slotting the
holes a bit made the difference. I'll probably keep my eye on it to see
if there area any signs of contact from movement of the engine.

FYI - no one here on the list had any sources for the fan itself, and
the usual suspects quoted high prices and no availability. After one
night of googling on "English Ford" + parts, I sent messages to about 6
suppliers around the world. All but 1 acknowledged and replied to my
email, and a Cortina guy in San Mateo, CA (Pete Snyders) had one. He was
kind enough to send a photo, and it was indeed the same item. With a
little bit of enlargement on the holes it's on the car and seems to be
right. This Internet thing proved quite a blessing -- it could really
catch on! (No relationship to Snyders, etc. etc.---and he didn't charge
me an arm and a leg, either!)

Sooooo glad to be back on the road again in my Elan LRTM (Little Red
Therapy Machine)

Cheers,
David

BTW - the catch-the -bug thread is wonderful reading. I think I've told
my story here already, so I didn't think I should waste bytes on a
replay. Should I?