eBay Alooomineeeum radiator hack UPDATE!

[conkitchen]

Okay, so there I was yet again staring down the issue. Bought a new nice and shiny aluminum ebay radiator for the 2002. I have seen these types before and kinda knew something was gonna be whacked when I got to installing.  Sure enough, the side mounts (which are aluminum bent to shape) sit too proud from the core support. The fan blade comes in contact with the fins.  

 

SO, here is what I did: 

 

Cut mounting flanges off at the bullnose edge. Straighten out as the radius from the factory bending (see above) takes up the needed material for reattaching. After flattening, I measured out 1/8th hole spacing for use of pop-rivets. Now keep in mind I had to pre-drill holes in the liberated mounting flange and then transfer the holes to the side channel which completes the radiator core enclosure.  Luckily there is no vertical core that leads up the very outer edge, otherwise this would not be feasible to mechanically attach, thus welding would be in order. 

 

I also employed a generous bead of JB Weld along with the rivets.  

 

In summary, these very affordable radiators are gonna need some massaging if you want to make them fit nicely when running a fan blade. Electric fans should not be a problem.  

 

 

This 2 row is what I started with for reference.  Whoever is making these things over in Cambodia or Bora Bora needs to read this thread. 

 

Edited April 6 by conkitchen

[TobyB]

Have you pressure tested that... thing?

 

I tried welding up some intercooler tanks just for fun some

decades back, and that's how my welds looked.

And did they ever leak!  I was so proud, it was like a sprinkler.

 

t

 

 

 

[tech71]

Yeesh. Dude, that be scary ugly, I envision a squalid dirt floor shack somewhere in China with a line of laborers cranking these out while some A hole yells at them to hurry up.

Metals coming from the pop can foundry hut close by.

Let us know if if leaks, I need a cheap radiator to stick on a run stand I'm cobbling up so it doesn't have to be pretty.  And that aint pretty😁

Edited April 6 by tech71

[conkitchen]

1 hour ago, TobyB said:

Have you pressure tested that... thing?

 

I tried welding up some intercooler tanks just for fun some

decades back, and that's how my welds looked.

And did they ever leak!  I was so proud, it was like a sprinkler.

 

t

 

 

 

I did place my mouth over one end and a hand over the other and then blew. No leaks. 

[tzei]

The rad bj

[Mike Self]

12 hours ago, conkitchen said:

I did place my mouth over one end and a hand over the other and then blew. No leaks. 

Did your pressure testing generate the requisite 14psi?  I'd use as flexible radiator hoses as you can find given the apparent quality of those welds...

 

mike

[conkitchen]

2 minutes ago, Mike Self said:

Did your pressure testing generate the requisite 14psi? 

Well I dunno, my wife says I’m a real big blew hard so perhaps. 

[TobyB]

12 hours ago, conkitchen said:

I did place my mouth over one end and a hand over the other and then blew. No leaks. 

 

Ahh, it should be far better than stock, then. 

Find the corresponding heater core, and run a 4 bar cap.

You'll never boil over!

 

heh

 

t

 

[Mark92131]

I needed a larger 3 row for my S14 swap but wasn't happy about the custom radiator price stateside ($650+).  I started looking at some of the eBay radiators, but most were either too small or too thick.  I also wanted some custom features, like the upper tank connection moved to the other side to support the S14 and a additional bung for the S14 head vent.  I contacted Winner_Racing_Radiator on eBay, sent them a drawing of the radiator I wanted, worked with them on the custom changes and they built and shipped me the radiator for $350.  Slightly more than the stock E10 radiators from the other vendors, but this one actually fits the opening.

 

Mark92131

 

Custom aluminum radiator for BMW E10 02 SIERIES 1600/2002 W/engine 1970 BMW 1600

WWW.EBAY.COM

---

I.e. within one week. We are manufacturer, not exporter. We also make-to-order.

 

 

[conkitchen]

8 minutes ago, Mark92131 said:

 but this one actually fits the opening.

 

 

 

 

Look at those welds hope you pressure checked it with your mouth. 🙂  

 

Nice job BTW

 

 

[conkitchen]

It's in, no leaks! 

 

 

Edited April 10 by conkitchen

[TobyB]

Ugly as sin, but if the temperature stays down, who gives a hoot?

 

I'm glad your testing protocols turned out to be a weiner.  

I suspect you could market yourself and get some dotcom venture 

capital thrown at you to boot.  Or maybe tucked into the waist of your... boxers...

 

hee.

 

t

may have to go that route one of these days, as his supply of E21 radiators

is slowly but surely getting used up.

[Mike G]

3 minutes ago, TobyB said:

 

 

I'm glad your testing protocols turned out to be a weiner.  

I suspect you could market yourself and get some dotcom venture 

capital thrown at you to boot.  Or maybe tucked into the waist of your... boxers...

 

 

Only(radiator)Fans?

[Son of Marty]

I miss the days when you could buy a pinto radiator for 39 bucks.

[Vicleonardo1]

Yes, if the radiator wasn't shrapnel......