Santa comes early

[Lou Drozdowski]

One of my "things to do" was to upgrade the cooling system. After much consternation, I decided to  finally get an ally radiator. As you well may know, these "Chinese" made units were available...sold out last year, and then another run was manufactured. The quality appears to be excellent and the price was perfect. I found  this one thru Amazon at $140 on special...the same outfit sells them on ebay from $200 - $240???

The winter projects are starting,
 If you have installed one of these, what is the bung size and type thermo switch you used? thanks!
 

[BDA]

Merry Christmas, Lou! Not only a good radiator but a great price!

This link may be useful: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=603.0

There is also a bit of chatter on the yahoo group. There were some posts that an Alfa switch worked well.

Enjoy your new radiator!

[jbcollier]

Depends on the bung they weld in.  Some are M16, some M22.  The M22 take the common rad fan switch used on VW, Audi, Porsche, Volvo, Saab, Also, Fiat, etc, etc.  They come in a wide variety of temp settings.

[Certified Lotus]

I bought same radiator for my rebuild (and got the special pricing). I asked Ray at RD Enterprises (big shout out to Ray) about the sensor and he lead me here:

Fan switch: go to SPAL USA website "PRODUCTS" page, click on
FAN ACCESSORIES, see 185-TS Temperature Switch.

You will need an adapter to fit.

[GavinT]

G’day Lou,

Does your new radiator have the baffle installed?

I ask because the link BDA offered to LotusJoe’s similar purchase confirms that his is there.
The reason I ask is because I see no sign of it being welded in.

Perhaps it’s fitted in some other manner? 

[BDA]

The baffle plate is not obvious on these radiators. There is no evidence of one on mine and don't see evidence in the pictures Joe or Lou posted (I should say that I didn't verify that I have one, but mine works very well). Having said that, it might be a useful exercise for Lou to verify his has one.

[GavinT]

G'day BDA,

It is obvious on some though; there's a weld in the middle of the end tank on some.

My query was that without a weld, how is it held in?

One could speculate that it might be fitted but just not welded to the actual tank.
F'rinstance, it may be that a baffle is welded only to the core but conforming to the inside shape of the tank . . . and it works perfectly well. 

[BDA]

Yeah, Gavin, I would expect to see evidence that a baffle was welded in the tank also. I wish I had checked for one but it's worked out well for me anyway. Since it's worked out for me, I haven't asked that many questions. With the price of endoscopic cameras for cell phones, maybe someone with will post some pictures of the inside of their radiator.

[brucelotus26r]

I just put the same one in my Europa.
I taped the sending unit hole out to 3/8 pipe easy to do and sending unit in this size are all over the net and under $20.

[Lou Drozdowski]

G’day Lou,

Does your new radiator have the baffle installed?

I ask because the link BDA offered to LotusJoe’s similar purchase confirms that his is there.
The reason I ask is because I see no sign of it being welded in.

Perhaps it’s fitted in some other manner? 

Endiscoped the radiator today...yes there is a welded baffle.  ld

[BDA]

Excellent! I was sure it would be there but it's always good to make sure.

[GavinT]

Many thanks Lou.

Maybe I’m a nervous Nellie about these things but just the thought of having to explain the necessity of a baffle to a Chinese eBayer sends cold shivers down my spine.

While I’m in my “Nellie” frame of mind, I notice a number of folk seem to have purchased the 62mm (2 row) version of this radiator . . and I don’t think I’ve seen anyone complain about the lack of cooling.

Cheers,
Gavin