Author Topic: Replacement Aluminum Radiator  (Read 2954 times)

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Offline Sandyman

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Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« on: Tuesday,February 26, 2019, 04:17:49 AM »
After sitting for over 40 years the original radiator is pluged full or rust from the  badlty rusted coolent transter tubes. To increase cooling capacity and reduce weight I am looking into an aluminum rad and tubes. Any North American sources other than R. D. Ent?

Offline Pfreen

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday,February 26, 2019, 06:36:21 AM »
I bought mine from Saldana racing through a group buy https://saldanaracingproducts.com/.  I think Steve Veris organized it a number of years ago.   It works very well. 

Offline Pfreen

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday,February 26, 2019, 06:50:42 AM »
Here are some photos.

Offline BDA

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday,February 26, 2019, 07:01:01 AM »
That looks like a really nice setup. I like the twin fans.

There's usually someone on eBay selling direct replacement aluminum radiators - sometimes with fans. They are made in China. I have one as do several people on the forum. I'm very happy with mine. Here's one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Alloy-Radiator-Sports-For-Lotus-Europa-Coupe-S1-S2-TC-1-5-1-6L-1966-76/153391278474?fits=Model%3AEuropa%7CMake%3ALotus&hash=item23b6d5298a:g:tEkAAOSweDhak282
« Last Edit: Tuesday,February 26, 2019, 07:03:20 AM by BDA »

Offline Grumblebuns

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday,February 26, 2019, 07:12:56 AM »
The ebay radiator that BDA references is probably the cheapest option and from all that I've read, people are fairly pleased with the purchase. I bought the Macs radiator from a group buy about 10 years ago and the cost was at least double what the ebay example was.

http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/cooling/alu_rad.html

Offline dakazman

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday,February 26, 2019, 08:42:45 AM »
  That’s another thing on my to buy list for awhile now . Without fan 184. 00 :with fan $224.00
Lol , right after my door hardware/ seals etc. gotta love them.
Dakazman

Offline literarymadness

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday,February 26, 2019, 01:33:19 PM »
I had Ron Davis radiators make me custom aluminum radiator with a puller fan (Spal) mounted on the other side of the radiator which sucks the hot air into the wheel well.
« Last Edit: Tuesday,February 26, 2019, 01:34:50 PM by literarymadness »

Offline Sandyman

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 04:37:27 AM »
Ebay do not ship to Canada, pitty.

Offline gideon

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 06:08:52 AM »
Ebay is just the middleman.  Different sellers on ebay have different shipping policies, and I'm sure there are plenty who will ship to Canada.  Try this search

https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?&_nkw=lotus+europa+radiator

Look closely at the pictures, some of the Chinese radiators have three rows and some only have two.  I bought one with two rows because I didn't spot the difference.  If I was buying one now I'd make sure to get a three row radiator (also called a three core radiator).

Offline jbcollier

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #9 on: Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 06:11:02 AM »
Eh?  I bought a Chinese rad for a little over $200 with shipping included.  Right to my door in Edmonton AB.  Just do an evil-bay search for Lotus Europa rad.

Offline kallericcar

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #10 on: Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 06:55:03 AM »
I just got mine off eBay and it’s not a bad piece for $184.  I’m using on on each side for the Zetec

Offline dakazman

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #11 on: Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 07:48:57 AM »
My original brass/copper radiator still holds pressure, and has been flushed out. Other than weight,what would  be an advantage of switching? Do they have a high failure rate? 
   The tubing, plumbing,  going to and from the engine should be swapped out during a frame-off Resto so that is where I’m going with first . The question is stainless or aluminum?

Dakazman

Offline Sandyman

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #12 on: Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 11:07:35 AM »
As the Great One said "add lightness ". The cost of getting old rad ready to go is going to be close to an aluminum one. Some of the reading I have done hints that there can be cooling issues. 30% greater efficacy of an aluminum rad will give me added security.

Offline BDA

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #13 on: Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 12:06:04 PM »
They look cool, too!  8)

Offline dakazman

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Re: Replacement Aluminum Radiator
« Reply #14 on: Tuesday,March 12, 2019, 05:17:18 PM »
They look cool, too!  8)
   There you have it ,   COOL WINS.
But what tubes?
Dakazman