Radiator core resizing

[Tinbasherdan]

Anyone know if it’s possible to shorten a radiator, width wise on a car? I’ve got a disco v8 rad that is like to use on the defender but it’s about 2” too wide. Rad is brand new so if it’s useable it would be grwat

 

[frank horton]

wont happen....try n sell or swop it....
even if it was a proper rad, all copper and brass the core wont shorten....
when we modified the older cars 60's n 70's we kept the brass end caps and changed the core....
normally from a 3 core to a 5 core.....
even worse if it's ally and or plastic.....these days....

 

[Tinbasherdan]

That solves that problem then

 

[frank horton]

sorry mate......

I got paid a lot of money to do engines swops in Calif.....
Mostley putting V8 Chevy engines and gearboxes in XJS Jags
plus quite a few Datsun 1500 engines and gear boxes in stuff like MG Td's...yeah I know.....shame....
but the prob in Calif is most drivers are morons.....everywhere is a long way, so reliability is so, so important...

and at the time u could go to the local dealer and order complete engine and gearbox packages brand new in a box.....!!!!!
even the Jap stuff......it's just easier and cheaper to install new than repair......and they came with all new power steering pumps alternators and starters...etc..... these were ready to install on the production line.....

out of interest we'd buy nice Cadillac's or Ford Thunderbird's from the junk yards......do the engine/g box swop.....
the Mexicans would replace all the leather upholstery and then a real nice paint job...even customers choise of colour once sold...
we'd sell em for about 1/2 price of a new model......
Main Reason even in those days people were fed up with the electronics being used....!!!!!
and just look at that carp now on new motors......horrendus.....

 

[Ashley Burton]

As mentioned its probably a nightmare to get a shorter replacement core to match up with your radiator ends

As @frank horton has mentioned I would source something else more suitable for your requirements

 

[Melvyn Best]

We have an old type radiator specialist in Cambridge who has shortened a couple of rads as well as modifying others for https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...ators.co.uk/&usg=AOvVaw1qMBc2X3dXl4E8M4nrdJi5

 

[seriesonewelder]

a piece of cake....
cut down RR classic rad' in my series one

 

[sako243]

Didn't Binky do it with the heater matrix off a Defender for their air-con setup?

 

[Barking Mat]

Go see a radiator rebuild specialist.

Had my '63 commer rad rebuilt.

100 quid

 

[Tinbasherdan]

a piece of cake....
cut down RR classic rad' in my series one
View attachment 254720

How did you do it?

 

[Barking Mat]

Its not rocket science. As previously sais, project Binky did it.

 

[Barking Mat]

Sorry French autocorrect.......
Hence thé random accents.

 

[seriesonewelder]

How did you do it?

radiator specialist

 

[sako243]

Or Binky style with a bandsaw, tig and a bucket full of water

 

[reb78]

Any rad specialist should be able to do it surely? I have a deeper (four row i think) caterpillar core on the brass tanks on my 110. Seemed like a sensible upgrade when the original core had a leak.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

It cost me nothing for the rad, ive got oxy-fuel gear and solder, so I haven’t got anything to lose trying to desolder the end plate and moving it in a tad I suppose. I’ve got an alu 300tdi 3/4 width rad that I was just going to increase the tank volume on as a backup