andrew-theasby
|
| posted on 15/8/07 at 08:36 PM |
|
|
aluminium radiator cores
Hi, after watching biker build off on sky yesterday where they did a water cooled bike, does anyone know where you can buy just the core for an
aluminium radiator to add your own ends? Cant find anywhere on google, just thinking it might be a good way to get a perfect fitting radiator if they
were cheap enough. Got to make the tig set pay for itself 
|
|
|
|
|
Nick Skidmore
|
| posted on 15/8/07 at 09:22 PM |
|
|
PACE PRODUCTS they do oil coolers, rads, pumps, tanks etc.
I've used them and found them very good.
|
NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
|
mark chandler
|
| posted on 15/8/07 at 09:54 PM |
|
|
You can buy cores commercially, most decent rad builders will also be able to supply as they remove the plastic ends from old rads and reuse.
I think you would struggle to TIG an end on though, these things have claws that grip the header and rubber gaskets, the ali is very thin, most likely
to just burn big holes when you start.
Regards Mark
[Edited on 15/8/07 by mark chandler]
|
|
|
andrew-theasby
|
| posted on 15/8/07 at 10:20 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
I think you would struggle to TIG an end on though, these things have claws that grip the header and rubber gaskets, the ali is very thin, most likely
to just burn big holes when you start.
Regards Mark
[Edited on 15/8/07 by mark chandler]
Thats what id have thought too but they definitely welded the one on telly, with some pretty heavy gauge ends too. Ill try pace products now. Thanks
|
|
|
johnemms
|
| posted on 16/8/07 at 06:36 AM |
|
|
I got a polo core off ebay and used the ends and rad and fan and 3 way switch off a golf gti rad .. see pic in archive..
|
|
|
ned
|
| posted on 16/8/07 at 06:50 AM |
|
|
do radtec supply cores or do they get them from pace?
beware, I've got yellow skin
|
|
|
procomp
|
| posted on 16/8/07 at 07:26 AM |
|
|
HI radtec supply thier own parts inc cores.
Radtec link.
cheers matt
|
|
|
Simon
|
| posted on 19/8/07 at 10:12 AM |
|
|
Have a look at this pic:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/photos.php?action=showphoto&photo=2007_07310066.JPG
It's my intercooler, made from two Ren 5 GT T intercoolers with plastic bit removed and 4mm ally used to join all bits. I made the outer ends
etc and welded the whole lot up. The intercooler cores were very thin, so using a thicker material for rest made welding easier afaic.
Try it on very cheap 2nd hand core to start with. Get it media blasted first.
ATB
Simon
|
|
|
andrew-theasby
|
| posted on 21/8/07 at 09:43 PM |
|
|
Thanks, Radtec dont seem to advertise the prices for just the cores unless ive missed it, but theyll both be worth a call when im ready to take the
plunge if i do. Where were your cores from simon? Did you weld them yourself? I guess an intercooler would run nearly as much pressure as the
radiator wouldnt it.
|
|
|
jkarran
|
| posted on 22/8/07 at 10:54 AM |
|
|
Just bought an IC core from Pace, it's nice, easier to weld to and much lighter than the Mini one I was going to use and was only ~£100. I guess
rad cores are similar cort of cost. They also do tapered and curved cores for a premium.
jk
|
|
|
Simon
|
| posted on 22/8/07 at 07:54 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by andrew-theasby
Where were your cores from simon? Did you weld them yourself? I guess an intercooler would run nearly as much pressure as the radiator wouldnt it.
Andrew,
Bought both i/coolers of ebay - one was a fiver, the other little more. Carefully removed all plastic bits (just bend outer fold over tabs, though
I'd just grinder them off next time as close to "castellation as poss) bead blast, and clean interior off oil residues etc. Cut some
thicker ally for central join, and welded up (yeah, all by me), made template for outers as I wanted them the shape they are. Cut more 3mm ally to
template shape, anneal, then weld along one edge. Put in end "formers" (with inlet tube already welded in!!!) then fold outer over ends,
clamp down, and weld up.
Bit of grinding to make nice
Water temp up around 80 - 90 deg in use and pressure s/be below cap vet (around 14psi). Intercooler will have to cope with similar temps but air, and
similar pressures, Pressure will vary a lot more in i/c than water rad.
ATB
Simon
|
|
|
andrew-theasby
|
| posted on 22/8/07 at 10:06 PM |
|
|
As easy as that only kidding, well worth the effort, must have saved you a fortune. Ive got an old radiator somewhere, i might have a try
welding some bits of plate onto that and see how it goes before spending any money, im still fairly new to ally welding so i wouldnt want to kill a
£100 core (didnt realise theyd be that much), but id like to try.
|
|
|
jkarran
|
| posted on 22/8/07 at 11:04 PM |
|
|
I switched to a bespoke core for a couple of reasons. The main one being the CooperS core I was using appears to be brazed together, the heat from the
TIG was blowing the braze material out and I feared unreliability problems.
Apart from that it's lighter and smaller (fits better).
The Pace core has a meaty (~1.5mm thick) flange to weld to, just practice but welding a few pieces of thin sheet, get everything squeaky clean then
get stuck in. I did mine tonight and it was pretty easy. This is the first major piece of alloy welding I've attempted.
jk
|
|
|
