Tunebug progress: radiator in!

[drooartz]

It's really helpful, when working on a Sprite, to have very small hands. Unfortunately, I don't really fit that description (I need me some MOWOGs to tackle these jobs)! So a task that should have taken just a short while stretched into a four hour battle of man against radiator hose.

In the end, though, I was victorious and now have the radiator and all water hoses installed and ready to go. Fan belt went on as well, and the generator should now be ready as well.

The next item to deal with is the exhaust. I have one in hand (from APT), just need to figure out how to get it mounted as it's a larger diameter than stock. If nothing else, I'll wing it with some coat hangers for now, and take it to a proper muffler shop once the car is running.

After that we'll be on the home stretch. Time to bleed the brakes and clutch and test all the other systems (fuel, wiring, etc.) before the big engine start.

 

[John Moore]

way to go! Looks great.

 

[14dna]

Drew;

GOOD JOB

I love how clean it looks as you are working on it. You must be meticulous.
Won't be long now.

Dave :thumbsup:

 

[drooartz]

We'll see how clean it stays once I start putting all the fluids in the various systems...

 

[smaceng]

Hi
So I only struggled with getting my radiator in(and no success) for only an hour. That must mean I have three more to go!
Any hints? I think I did the wrong thing and put the hoses on the water pump and heater tube first. Can it be done by just connecting it under the radiator? I think I might buy a radiator hose pliers (large dia. with thin forks). Any help would be appreciated. All parts are new or really good.
Scott in CA

 

[DrEntropy]

Oooohhh!!! CLoser an' closer!!!

That's lookin' great, Drew. I'm sure you'll keep it clean when toppin' up the fluids.

Paper towels are considered indispensable tools BTW. :wink:

Wrap a few around th' filler area of whichever gizmo you're fillin'.

I have no clue how we did things before 'em. Vaguely remember somethin' about red "shop towels"...

 

[drooartz]

Hi
So I only struggled with getting my radiator in(and no success) for only an hour. That must mean I have three more to go!
Any hints?

I don't think there's a better or worse way to do this. I had trouble getting the bottom radiator hose on after mounting the radiator, but had I used a little soap or water on the inside of the hose, it probably would have gone on faster. That's what I eventually did to get that bottom hose attached on the engine side.

I've also got really large hands, which don't help in these tight spaces.

And I do plan to keep it all clean, Doc. While I'm more concerned with Go than Show, I do want it to stay a nice, clean place to work.

 

[Brian_James]

It is tight, and I have large hands, but for me the lower hose always goes onto the radiator pretty easy from underneath. A little liquid soap always helps.

Brian

 

[64rocksprite]

Well done Drew. Did you get the LCB bolted up already? How did it fit going through the chassis? Lots of room or pretty tight?
Getting close to a "Vroom" post!!

 

[Guest]

I have large hands, . A little liquid soap always helps.

Brian

The only thing I don't like about soap is that it's corrosive.

I've been blessed with small hands.

 

[tdskip]

Hi
So I only struggled with getting my radiator in(and no success) for only an hour. That must mean I have three more to go!
Any hints? I think I did the wrong thing and put the hoses on the water pump and heater tube first. Can it be done by just connecting it under the radiator? I think I might buy a radiator hose pliers (large dia. with thin forks). Any help would be appreciated. All parts are new or really good.
Scott in CA

Scott - where in CA are you? If you are in SoCal I'd be happy to lend a hand. Labor would be worth what you'd being paying for it but still...

 

[drooartz]

Well done Drew. Did you get the LCB bolted up already? How did it fit going through the chassis? Lots of room or pretty tight?
Getting close to a "Vroom" post!!

I did get the LCB bolted up. Took a small amount of grinding on the opening through the chassis to get it all to fit. Just took my Dremel and opened it up a bit. My LCB is one piece (Maniflow) -- the two piece one from Winner's Circle (I think) might not need that extra bit of clearance.

Vroom post before summer, but not before March. Car is away for now, until it warms up a bit.

 

[14dna]

Hey guys, I always would go to my local parts store, (read NAPA or Carquest) and grab a can of silicon spray. Use this on the hoses just before you install them and they go on easily.
Bonus is, it's not corrosive.

Just trying to help.

Dave

 

[jlaird]

Aye silicon for the win on hoses.

 

[smaceng]

yes, took the rad. back off and greased it up with some silicone, oriented the body under the car for maximum pushing, and turning, and BANG, she was on. Here is a pic of the engine compartment now. Still needs work on the radiator arms, etc. Next is the electrical and then the interior!
Scott in CA

 

[drooartz]

That looks fantastic!

 

[tao724]

Looks mighty fine!