My Rover
- Thread starter SydneyRoverP6B
- Start date
What's its current mileage, Ron?
GRTV8
Well-Known Member
Phfft- you'll knock out the extra 300k by the end of the year.
I have been using 3-tube cores within my Rover's radiators for almost 30 years now. The cores typically have vertical tube spacing of 12.5 mm with 35 rows of tubes. For my most recent radiator refurbishment, the radiator man suggested a 2-core with a vertical tube spacing of 8.3 mm complete with tubes with a larger cross sectional area. Replacing the radiator was also an opportunity to closely inspect the 13 bladed nylon fan and viscous coupling. The original fan has served for 51 years and 440,109 miles (708,575 km). Inspection revealed a chipped blade along with a crack at the base of another. Aside from heat related discolouration, there were also various other scratches. Nylon fans won't last forever so it was timely to replace, fitting a NOS fan that I had purchased many years earlier. The viscous coupling also displayed a degree of backlash. Comparison with a NOS item that I had purchased in 1989 revealed a noticeably reduced rotation effort, so it too was replaced.
On a 600 mile (1000 km) run over 12.5 hours, the engine temperature was both stable and cooler at a constant 60 - 70 mph (100 - 110 kph) following the change of components. The coolant temperature was also more stable during periods at idle speed with an ambient temperature of 27 degrees C.
Chipped blade
Crack at base of blade
Old viscous coupling manufactured by Holset in Huddersfield
NOS fan
NOS viscous coupling. From information that I have gathered so far, couplings can be refurbished, but it a challenging exercise.
Awaiting installation of reconditioned radiator
NOS fan and viscous coupling attached to water pump
Radiator installed
Job complete
On a 600 mile (1000 km) run over 12.5 hours, the engine temperature was both stable and cooler at a constant 60 - 70 mph (100 - 110 kph) following the change of components. The coolant temperature was also more stable during periods at idle speed with an ambient temperature of 27 degrees C.
Chipped blade
Crack at base of blade
Old viscous coupling manufactured by Holset in Huddersfield
NOS fan
NOS viscous coupling. From information that I have gathered so far, couplings can be refurbished, but it a challenging exercise.
Awaiting installation of reconditioned radiator
NOS fan and viscous coupling attached to water pump
Radiator installed
Job complete
