Cooling a Holden 186 and putting the radiator panel back to where it should be..

[jdobson]

I have a 109 Series IIA and it's fitted with a Holden 186 using an adaptor plate connected to the original gearbox (which is in its standard position). The radiator is seemingly original (i.e. much fatter than the Series III type) and the previous owner cut the front cross member such that the radiator sits within. I really want to change things around so that the radiator panel can be put back to where it 'should' be i.e. I want the bonnet to close rather than rest it's lip on the radiator panel.

The radiator is absolutely stuffed and leaking in multiple places so the intention is to fit a new, Series III version. I appreciate this is thinner but I suspect a new radiator will be more efficient than the current leaky one. My question is are there any tips on sorting the configuration so you cannot tell there's a Holden lurking under the bonnet? I wondered if perhaps removing the engine-driven fan and putting an electric fan at the front of the radiator may give me enough space to put the panel back?

I am sure it's possible to do the Holden conversion sympathetically such that you can't tell from the outside... so yes keen to hear your thoughts and if you have any pictures all the better!

Thanks Jack

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[Dark61]

If thats the culprit in the picture it doesnt look too bad to me. It looks more like its resting on the grille surround rather than the radiator itself - as its a straight 6 i would stick with the appropriate version rather than go for a skinny 4 cylinder land rover job - plus would have thought an old holden would be easier to source, but what do i know?! Im sure someone will come along with a better view on it.
cheers,
D

[JayBoRover]

I'll have to have a good look at mine to see what the radiator was from. I have the bonnet fitting nicely and an engine driven fan and an electric fan and its reasonably hard to tell from outside that anything foreign is under the bonnet. The electric fan cuts in on long climbs in summer and at traffic lights but generally the car runs pretty cool. (Holden 202 Blue donk).
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[Wraithe]

There are a couple of different fan extensions on the holdens... If you have the fan removed, you wont gain any space over shortest distance you can install the fan... The early 186, 179, 161 and 149 had the shortest distance from the water pump to the fan...

If yours has an extension or an after market fan, then it may pay to look at the old 4 blade... A cowling around the fan will help with air flow...

By removing the fan and going to an electric only will only give you some more power to use but will mean your relying solely on the electric fan...

I would consider making sure you've got the fan as close to the pump first, using an original fan.. Ensure you have clearance for the fan in relation to alternator etc and do get a cowling to stop recirculating the air(it was an issue on the early holdens, been sitting many a time waiting for them to cool on 40+ days heading bush)...

Another thing to remember, the early holdens that those engines came out of, would run warm on a hot day, thus a few I know(including my family) would get the hose outlets on V8 radiators, swapped to connect them to the 6's, made a world of difference...

All the best with your bus, 186 is a good engine...

[mick88]

A late response to this thread, but you can fit a Holden six into an 88" or 109" Series Land Rover that was originally fitted with a four cylinder engine, without cutting/modifying the front cross member, however you need to use a different radiator. My series 3 88" has a Holden six and does not have a modified front cross member, however it utilises a high capacity Torana radiator, no engine driven fan, but two electric thermo fans. A large 14 inch fan pushes air from the front and a ten inch pulls it from the engine bay side. I have three thermo fans fitted (two 10 inch on the engine bay side), but only two of the three are used, as the third was not necessary, so it is just a spare in case one of the others fail. We have very warm summer temperatures here and I don't have any issues with overheating etc. I also made up a couple of wind deflectors to pick the air up from under the front
bumper bar and direct it up through the radiator, mainly for when travelling with a tail wind, especially when towing or on a very hot day. They work a treat and are hardly even noticeable.
Cheers, Mick.

[harry]

someone smarter than me might correct me on this,
but I think that grille signified a Perkins Diesel as original fitment, probably a reason for the Holdon swap.

[mick88]

someone smarter than me might correct me on this,
but I think that grille signified a Perkins Diesel as original fitment, probably a reason for the Holdon swap.

Do you mean that circle/cut out on the grille Harry?
Were the Perkins motors fitted from the factory, or by Dealers?

Cheers, Mick.

[harry]

Do you mean that circle/cut out on the grille Harry? yes
Were the Perkins motors fitted from the factory, or by Dealers? I don't know

Cheers, Mick.

this just hangs in my head from somewhere.