radiator choice

[big e]

A new rad. is needed for my mk2. What is the considered opinion . Do I go for a supergill from Tony Hart or a 4 row from rimmers ? Thanks peoples. Ian

[V Mad]

Whatever you choose make sure you have enough clearance between rad and fan. Some rads are thicker than normal.

[big e]

Thanks Chris . I Finally fitted your expansion tank kit. looks much tidier under the bonnet now

[Seaking]

Ian
I have a 4 row but it is so large i cannot run a fan between engine and rad have to run electric at front.
Even with viscous coupling removed and crank bolt cut.

Glenn

[Gresley]

I have recently fitted a Supergill from Tony Hart. I'm delighted with it, excellent cooling, a great fit and I can still get the alternator and power steering belts on and off with the radiator fitted, i.e. between the fan and the rad. Personally I would go for one of these every time.

Brian.

[GDPR]

I have the Rimmer 4 row and I can... and change the belts without taking anything off.. I think some of them had the brackets mispositioned hence the clearance issues - seems you have been unlucky Glenn.

One thing worth considering is it's harder to push air through their 4 row, so I had to fit a spoiler to get decent airflow at speed through the core - although it had the side benefit of making the car much more stable at high speed

[404ROD]

Many years ago there was an extensive test done on the Stag cooling system and published over several issues of the magazine. There was at the time still concerns over the cooling of the TV8 engine and many owners were installing larger capacity radiators. The thing I remember is that having a radiator with an extra row in it made very little difference to cooling efficiency. Apparently as the air was heated up by the first four rows it had very little effect on the additional row so it was considered best to stick to the original four row radiator.

Rod

[mjheathcote]

There should be no clearance problem with an original pattern 4 core radiator.
I've no problem with clearance with the mechanical fan.
Must be a support bracket issue.

[Staggard]

There should be no problem with a staggard 4 core mine is 60mm thick and I have 20mm clearance between the core and the blades. Measure yours and check it against the suppliers ones. Graham

[ChasR]

People seem to be happy with the Tony Hart 4 row radiator, with its results being proven.

ATM I run a Wards Supergill (which IIRC is either a 3 core or 4 core of a staggered construction). So far since I fitted it (last September) it has kept the car cool, even on high speed motorway runs.

[NickA]

I have recently fitted a Supergill from Tony Hart. I'm delighted with it, excellent cooling, a great fit and I can still get the alternator and power steering belts on and off with the radiator fitted, i.e. between the fan and the rad. Personally I would go for one of these every time.

Brian.

Interesting so have I but I can't get the belts off. Wonder if the design has changed. Mind you it was 1999 when I bought mine

[big e]

Thanks people . I think I might give the supergill a go once I've compared sizes

[4x4]

Whatever you choose make sure you have enough clearance between rad and fan. Some rads are thicker than normal.

A bit like people then

[rjahunter]

I got the four core one from Rimmers and had no hope of fitting it - it got damaged in the process. It was far too "deep" for the gap between the top panel under the bonnet, and the fan / crankshaft bolt. I eventually got Wards Aluminium one, which fitted a treat and is excellent. Had a minor issue with the top filling plug, but have done local mods and now have a good solution. Car runs at perfect temp, and cools very fast after being hot in a traffic jam for example.

Here's a picture of it installed.



Richard

[Kev43]

Has anyone took a punt on one of the Chinese ones on Ebay?
AluminiumRad
looks cheap but not sure I would take the chance!!

Kevin