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Radiator

Vortex O'Plinth
Extra-Wise Man
Extra-Wise Man
Posts: 1065
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2016 8:15 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Re: Radiator

Post by Vortex O'Plinth »

Christopher Storey wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2017 7:03 pm ....I have also had expensive experience of the alloy rads corroding away ( Porsche ) in only 6 years....
This raises an important point if fitting an alloy radiator - it's essential to avoid electrolysis from stray electrical currents passing through the coolant. These currents can emanate from a variety of sources, but one thing to ensure is that the engine and gearbox are adequately grounded to the body of the car (or the chassis in the case of the SP). Even small currents in the coolant can result in electrolysis and the aluminium parts in the system becoming sacrificial anodes. It can take a surprisingly short time to destroy an aluminium radiator under these conditions. Equally important is to avoid the coolant solution becoming acidic by regular flushing and replacement. Owners of cars with aluminium heads and cast iron blocks (such as the Daimler V8) will be well aware of the damage to the heads due to the sacrificial nature of the aluminium under degraded coolant conditions; an alloy radiator will be vulnerable in the same way.
Nick

"Don't bother with the Air & Space Museum - there's nothing to see.......".

A.N.Other
Wide Man
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Posts: 551
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 12:45 pm
Location: Leeds

Re: Radiator

Post by A.N.Other »

I don't think you're red man is wrong Christopher but,
Thirty years driving with an average of thirty thousand miles a year, fifteen blokes doing the same with the firm, I can't remember one radiator being damaged in general use due to anything other than RTC's. It then falls into the realms of the insurance blame game rather than general or routine maintenance.
Colin,
I may be slow but I’m rough as well !

Ian Slade
Wise Man
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Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2016 9:54 am
Location: Sevilla Spain

Re: Radiator

Post by Ian Slade »

The SP being GRP will have no connection to the electrics unless modified with an electric fan and the thermostat is in contact with the radiator, the coolant should not conduct and be PF neutral, providing all those constraints are satisfied there should be no problem with electrolytic action. Many Daimler V8 engines that spent their life in the west of Scotland would show little or no head corrosion in 40 odd years, however stones were a different problem. Alloy radiators are quick and easy to fabricate in mass production form, however low volume and "one offs" will be expensive as will a new brass core, in theory once you have the two side tanks made it should be cheaper to re-core if the core fails depending on how the core is sealed to to the tanks.
Owner since the 70's, Genghis is slightly to my left.

faeton
Posts: 103
Joined: Mon Feb 29, 2016 9:31 pm

Re: Radiator

Post by faeton »

Plymouth Radiators rebuilt my SP250 Rad 20yrs ago never had any issues . I use this company a lot for rads, air con ,and marine coolers ,I have always found them to be good value . They will fit bigger capacity cores if required .
Dave

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