Radiators

Michael Bayer · Post by **Michael Bayer** » Mon May 05, 2003 6:09 am

My 330GT's radiator is leaking. Before I begin this project I thought it best to poll the group: any suggestions beyond the obvious and traditional steps for radiator pulling and repair for a Series II, by the way mine has both AC and power steering. Michael Bayer #9727

fuiszt · Post by **fuiszt** » Mon May 05, 2003 9:06 am

The previous owner of my car had a radiator shop in Indiana recore, etc. the original radiator. The car runs very cool now, as long as its moving (no electric fan).

bill rose · Post by **bill rose** » Mon May 12, 2003 11:59 am

This can be a problem. The original radiators were built with a larger number of fins than can be found currently, for recoring. I had mine "recored" by a knowledgable mechanic . . . rather, he sent it to his radiator shop. Seemingly, he knew what was needed. Now that I'm rebuilding the engine, the radiator has been re-examined, and the short-comings of conventional recoring described. In order for my engine to perform properly, even while idling, I'll either have to find an original, complete radiator ($$) ... OR have a core built for me ($$$). The typical recoring, involves using a truck core, which won't get the job done right ... according to Jens! Unfortunately, having a custom core made out of aluminum won't work ... since aluminum won't weld to the original, copper "cans". An entire custom aluminum radiator (racing) would work great, if authenticity is not an issue. But it probably won't look exactly correct, with out putting big bucks into it ($$$$).

fuiszt · Post by **fuiszt** » Mon May 12, 2003 12:06 pm

As I understand it, mine was fixed by a racing shop. I'm not a radiator fin counter , so to me, the function of it is paramount.

Yale · Post by **Yale** » Mon May 12, 2003 7:13 pm

My radiator is aluminum and looks original though since I wasn't around when it was replaced I have no idea about what went on. I do know that I had horrible overheating problems in NYC traffic and since that is where I live and keep the car I was quite flummoxed by this until I installed a double Ken Lowe fan. http://www.kenlowe.com

Now I just calmly watch the temp needle in its inexorable rise to 90c and then watch the fans come on (quite enough so I don't hear them), and the needle slides back down to more acceptable realms.

Best, Yale

Michael Bayer · Post by **Michael Bayer** » Tue May 13, 2003 3:40 am

Now I am really concerned, any advice as to a reliable shop that will not "truck it up"?

Post by **tyang** » Tue May 13, 2003 9:02 am

Hi Michael,

Try this link:
http://www.radiatorinfo.com/
They have a ton of sources.

My radiator did not need recoring, but I understand that the aftermarket cores available to replace a bad Ferrari core will not look the same. The fin structure is different, but as far as having the same efficiency, I don't know. Most old Ferrari cooling systems, along with most old cooling systems, were not designed for stop and go traffic. Even with a good radiator, you'll need a little more air flow to keep the temps down.

Let us know what you find.

Tom

bill rose · Post by **bill rose** » Tue May 13, 2003 4:26 pm

Jens recently had a complete, custom aluminum radiator built for a 330GTS, by a racing specialist. It is wonderful, and cools the engine well . . . however, it will not satisfy a concours judge, because the cans don't look quite right. The fins are not the problem, since a judge will not really notice the fin structure, and may understand anyway . . . but the cans are obvious. The radiator Jens had built looks great to the uninitiated. Unless you are entering concours, don't give this difference any thought.
He is currently researching having a custom, copper radiator core built to fit my cans. We'll see . . . Our goal is to have sufficient cooling so that I can operate in typical traffic, without the engine over-heating. My car already has two monster fans (original) infront of the radiator.
Bill

Post by **tyang** » Tue May 13, 2003 8:16 pm

Hi Bill,

Those Lucas fans might look monsterous, but the only thing big about them is their draw! Some cars don't have overheating problems with a stock system, and I hope yours is one of them, but if you find your car overheating in traffic, the fans are the first thing I'd look at. I bet they don't move nearly as much air as a modern fan.

Good luck!

Tom

bill rose · Post by **bill rose** » Wed May 14, 2003 12:10 am

No doubt your are correct, Tom . . . but for concours purposes, we're staying as original as possible. One of the things you need to accept about older cars . . . older tachnology. Wish I had two Ferraris . . . one to show, and one for total play! :-D

Deane · Post by **Deane** » Wed May 14, 2003 10:31 pm

Our old unshrouded fans tend to throw air at the radiator, rather than forcing air through it. It's amazing how simple some leaps of technology look, once you see them.

cak · Post by **cak** » Mon May 19, 2003 6:23 pm

On our car (330 GT 2+2), the previous owner had removed the lovely but ineffective cast aluminum fan blades, stored them in the trunk, and had fitted the plastic fan blades from a 308 QV. These are lighter, have four blades and a fairly steep pitch. Combined with cleaning up the electrics so the motors are seeing solid 12V, the engine stays cool in the worst traffic.

I've thought about building a shroud that would be easy to dismount, but so far haven't felt the need.

Michael Bayer · Post by **Michael Bayer** » Tue May 20, 2003 7:49 pm

Thanks all, these are great tips, now if I can only find a 308 QV......
Michael Bayer #9727

fest · Post by **fest** » Wed May 28, 2003 11:02 pm

just spotted these...
may be just the ticket

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... gory=34201

also see
http://www.v12s.com

cak · Post by **cak** » Wed May 28, 2003 11:24 pm

Look at the prices on their website! These guys think quite highly of their products.

Not at all clear how this would mount on a 330's radiator. Very clear that it would look quite non-original!

chris

www.tomyang.net

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