TR4/4A TR3 vs TR4 Radiator

[TRDejaVu]

Proving that you can always learn something new, I just found out that the TR3 and TR4 radiators are slightly different. My radiator started leaking late last year so I took a chance on an e-Bay one described as fitting both TR3 and TR4; if it leaks then I am only out $30.

I went to swap them out today and found that the upper hose connection sits a bit lower requiring the use of some spacers and that I will have to drill 2 mounting holes behind the captive nuts. Before I do this and bearing in mind that my $$$ are going into an overdrive conversion, so the cost of a new rad will not be welcome at this time, is there anything else that I should watch out for with this temporary arrangement?

Edit: I also just discovered that the rad cap neck is about 1/4 inch longer than my original, so I will have to rotate the rad a bit using the adjuster arms.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I would not have guessed this.

...is there anything else that I should watch out for with this temporary arrangement?...

Just be sure with the spacers & rotation that the bonnet will close w/o fouling on the cap (probably need some clearance to allow for vibration too).

 

[TRDejaVu]

I put the eBay special in and no surprise it leaks, so I'm out $30.

The ironic thing is that it was a beautiful day so I said to heck with it and put the old one back in so I could take the first drive of the year. No leak, nada, zip, zilch. I know that it will leak again, so I am going to investigate getting it recored, before spending the big $$$ on a new unit.

I babied the car, but it was still a great drive with the top down. To cross threads, while I was out I saw a few other convertibles - all top up and you know that they had much better heaters than the TR.