Radiator

Ant · #1 (**permalink**) 08-21-2003, 01:37 AM

Regarding the ERA alloy radiator, is that a channel top radiator with bolted plate for fan etc, to give original look.

Reason I am asking is I think your radiator looks much more original than a Shelby Fluidyne radiator as used in the spec racer!

Bob Putnam · #2 (**permalink**) 08-21-2003, 04:50 AM

Ant,

We add a top and bottom plate so that the radiator mounts as original.

I'm glad you noticed.

Ant · #3 (**permalink**) 08-22-2003, 08:58 PM

Bob,

I am going to endeavour to fabricate the look of an original style radiator, and as I am not lucky enough to live in the states, and view a nice replica such as yours.
Would you mind clarifying two details please on the thickness of the top plate you have added to the radiator, and thickness of the rubber grommet bracket. It appears to be 2mm (0.0790) for the top plate, and 3mm (0.1180) for the rubber and pin bracket.

Yours the pedantic downunder cobra builder!

Bob Putnam · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2003, 06:14 AM

The radiator isn't that heavy.

.050" (1.2mm) for the top and bottom plates.

.075" (2mm) for the top tab.

Ant · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-2003, 06:56 PM

Thanks for that info.

In Christchurch one outfit gets radiator cores in from Aussie, 4 row (3.150") wide, they are a bit smaller in the rows than a lot of USA stuff @ 1" -1.5"
They prefer to weld great heavy 3mm plates on, but NO..........!

Ant · #6 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 02:52 AM

Bob,

Regarding radiator size, you use the 2 X 1.25" Alloy radiator, and as your website states it cools everything up to hot big blocks!
I am having a radiator built here in Christchurch NZ, they have in their alloy cores:
2 X 1"
4 X 1/2"
3 X 1"
I am not that keen on the 1/2" tubes! for an around 500bhp small block 2 X 1" could be marginal, but the builder says he will replace it if it doesn't cool properly. 3 X 1" would be heaps, but its going to end up almost 4" wide, and I think all the extra weight of water etc.

To cut a long story short I am trying to find someone like yourself who knows what a small block can get away with in this area, any info gratefully appreciated.

Bob Putnam · #7 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 06:03 AM

Ant,

I wish I had as much faith in my "expertise" as you.

Judging from the number of 2 x 1" tube radiators being sold for extra-capacity replacements for cars, I'd say that one should be adequate for you. I'm not sure about the 4 x 1/2" tube design. Theoretically, it might be more efficient (and possibly more reliable at high pressures). I can't imagine a 3" tube design being reliable, but what do I know...

P.S.

In the process of checking out NZ climate, I noticed that you've got a lake ( Lake Hauroko) that's 462 m deep! I don't think anything in the US can match that.

Ant · #8 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 08:39 PM

Thanks Bob,

I looked up a website, and it appears the 1.25" X 2 row generally speaking is good for up to and over 600bhp, for a ballpark guestimate!

Regarding Lake Hauroko, never heard of it, will find out, were it is!

Jim Holden · #9 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 08:51 AM

Bob:

Gee, if you have time to research the depths of various lakes:

How deep is Seneca Lake (next to Watkins Glen) in NY? Isn't that upwards of 1,000 +/- feet. Not quite as deep as the NZ lake, but still...

Jim

Red Era · #10 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 01:25 PM

Crater Lake in Oregon- (info taken from national park web site)

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States
The second deepest lake in the Western Hemisphere
The seventh deepest lake in the world
Maximum lake depth: 1932 feet
Average lake depth: 1500 feet

Red Era · #11 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 01:33 PM

Bob Putnam · #12 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 03:13 PM

Thanks for the geography lessons guys. Living in a geologically mature section of the country, I plum forgot about the ocassional volcanic basin on the west coast.

Jim Holden · #13 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 03:29 PM

Red:

At 618 ft Seneca Lake (see: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/r...es/seneca.html) is not as deep as that hole blasted out of a hillside on the wrong coast. It was done the old fashioned way; gouged out by a mile or two thick glacier over several (hundred thousand) years.

But last week (after a long day at Watkins Glen Race track) sitting up on the hillside just to the east of the lake, glass of wine in hand, it sure looked great as the sun set. Frankly, I don't need to travel any further

Jim