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recore radiator

golf

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I plan to recore the radiator on my BJ7.I called Roppel radiator nearby, and the man said that if my old one is not 21/2 inches thick ,he could go no more than a 3 core.It seems that all the threads speak of a 4 core.Is it possible that the BJ7 can take only the 3.My radiator is about23/8ins.,and I'm sure it is original.Thanks,Ben
 
Hi Ben, I do not know why he limited the radiator width. Perhaps he only considering a core that will fit in the unmodified side straps. These straps can be modified to take a thicker core if required and the limiting factor should be the width of the bottom tank.???---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Hi Ben,
I think what Keoke is calling radiator width, I am calling thickness. I think we are in agreement.

Radiator type of construction & cooling ability involve a lot more than just the number of tube rows.

Tubes that are narrower but longer in the horizontal plane cool better.

Tubes which are spaced more closely together provide more cooling surface than tubes that are more widely spaced.

Tubes can be placed in line or staggered.

Plate type fins are less efficient as they provide less fin area exposed to the air flow than serpentine fins.

As an example for my BN2 radiator, yours will obviously be different:
My 100-4 radiator core was 14H X 19 W x 2 3/4 thick & had five rows of widely spaced 1/2" tubes, 150 tubes total, with plate type fins spaced at 10 fins per inch. My replacement core is 14H x 19 W x 3 thick, has four rows of 48 more closely spaced but wider 5/8" tubes, 192 tubes total, with serpentine fins spaced at 14 fins per inch. This represents about 60% more tube area & 40% more fin area. The new core was made by TransPro.

A three row core in your car could well have much more cooling capacity than the original. It mostly depends on tube shape, tube spacing & fin spacing. You might even be able to use a four row core if it is properly placed in the mounting frame to clear any obstacles.

A more dense core will require a better fan to move air through it. I use a six blade fan.

If you are unsure about this particular shop, check a few others. I personally would look for a shop that is very familiar with custom radiators & with TransPro cores. The TransPro factory will custom make a core to yours & the shop's specifications & get it shipped in a few days. No extra charge for sizing it as you request.
Regards,
D
 
The shop I used had a catalog with every car make listed with radiator dimensions.
There were 2 pages of listings for Austins.
Even so, he measured my BN1 radiator, came up about 1/2 inch difference, ordered it by phone and had the radiator the next day.
 
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