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J

JBlubaugh

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I spent a chunk of the weekend pulling out the old radiator, hoses, belt, and pulleys. The plan was to replace all the rubber parts with new fresh ones, clean up and wipe out the accumulated road grime on the front of the engine, and drop in a new radiator ( Wizard Cooling). Everything was going great until I tried to drop in the new radiator, it doesn't fit! :mad:. Sits about 1/2" too high and will make contact with the hood.

Before I blame Wizard, I need to check a few things. The front end internal geometry has been modified by the PO upstream from the results of a crash or two. Odd thing is the old radiator fits, unless it has been modified.

Does anyone here happen to have the dimensions for a 3000 radiator?

Worse thing that happens is I could make 2 small drop down brackets and only use the upper mounting nut on the bottom part of the radiator. That would drop it down and provide clearance.

Thanks for the vent and the help.

Jim
 
Hmm

Jim If the old radiator fits.

Measure the spacing between its mounting brackets and the new Aluminum one
If they are different.

Perhaps the front end repairs placed the chassis radiator mounting brackets at a different location???
 
Thanks Rick -

That's what i am getting on this one as well.

HealeyRick said:
From the top of the top tank (not including the filler neck) to the bottom of the bottom tank is 21 3/4" which is the same height Wizard provided in the drawings of the radiator they made for me.
Click to expand...
 
JBlubaugh said:
Thanks Rick -

That's what i am getting on this one as well.
Click to expand...

Did Wizard send you a drawing of your radiator before it was made? If not, PM me your email and I'll send you the one I received. Although there will be some differences in the depth measurements with mine and a standard radiator, the height, width and bracket locations will be the same as a stock one. If the height of yours is equal to the stock one, then the only thing different on the Wizard radiator could be the bracket locations. Do you have pictures of the radiator mounting points on your car, so we can see if they were changed after the crash repairs?
 
Thanks Keoke -

That's my next assumption. If the specs from wizard are good, and they appear to be, my money is on the brackets on the original radiator having been moved. I'll have to wait until the original comes out of the shop. I had it cleaned up and restored for a BT7 project ( my Fathers original Healey) that i'll start in October.

Thanks,
Jim


Keoke said:
Hmm

Jim If the old radiator fits.

Measure the spacing between its mounting brackets and the new Aluminum one
If they are different.

Perhaps the front end repairs placed the chassis radiator mounting brackets at a different location???
Click to expand...
 
Follow-up

Ok, after trying various positions of the radiator I was able to find a combination that allows the hood to close and the gives good clearance to the fan. The problem lies with the top left mounting bracket on the car. Looks like a previous repair has the bracket slightly out of position by 1/2 inch. The only problem I have is that I cannot secure the radiator to this bracket. I don't think that will be an issue as I have it mounted with 5 other bolts. It is also slightly askew which is driving me crazy, but is totally functional.

Not sure if modifactions were made to the original radiator, will have to confirm when I get it back early next week.

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Side view showing the slight mis-alignment.
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HealeyRick said:
Could you move the driver's side forward to square the radiator to the front and drill a hole in the radiator support to match the hole in the bracket on the radiator? There's plenty of metal in the support in that area.
Click to expand...

I think that is going to be the cleanest way. Will have to drill out holes on both sides to match. Now to wrestle it out :smile:

Thanks,
Jim
 
JBlubaugh said:
I think that is going to be the cleanest way. Will have to drill out holes on both sides to match. Now to wrestle it out :smile:

Thanks,
Jim
Click to expand...

Cover the fins on both sides with cardboard first, they dent really easy and you're almost certain to nick them somewhere during the Wrestlemania. I like to secure the bottom hose first before bolting the brackets on, it seems a bit easier than trying to get it on later.
 
HealeyRick said:
Cover the fins on both sides with cardboard first, they dent really easy and you're almost certain to nick them somewhere during the Wrestlemania. I like to secure the bottom hose first before bolting the brackets on, it seems a bit easier than trying to get it on later.
Click to expand...


Good idea Rick - Thanks

Jim
 
Took it out for a nice drive this morning through early afternoon, temp never got over 190. Best part was sitting at the traffic lights and not having to worry about getting some air to flow over it.
Sidenote- The Denis Welch fan is great. The reduction in fan noise coming from the engine was worth the hassle alone.

Thanks for all the help, especially Rick and Keoke.

Jim
 
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