S1 Disco Radiator issues...

[Milhouse]

Hi there,

I have recently aquired a 92 Disco V8i :)

Unfortunately the radiator has sprung a leak :(

(Driving back to sydney from central coast - got as far as Hornsby then no go - LPG convertor froze up as no water going to it - didn't even notice the temp rise...)

Is the radiator for the later 3.9L the same as in the 3.5?
(I've spotted a 2nd hand one for not much)

And is it a straight forward job to put one in?

Anything else I should be aware of?

Would I be better off getting the existing unit recored - and if so does anyone have an approximate cost for the job...

Cheers

[Bush65]

The old 3.5 radiators were marginal to inadequate.

And 2nd hand I wouldn't trust it before having the tanks removed and the core rodded out.

So possibly better to have a new core or cheaper still to fit a falcon radiator.

Edit: my comment above about old 3.5 rads relates to earlier than disco - you did not specify what 3.5!

[big guy]

I have a Disco 94, it too sprung a little leak.
had it cored, welded and pressure tested.
Cost $350.

Sits perfectly at centre on dial.

Radiator and all matters cooling are paramount in these cars.

Alloy engines will warped and are stuffed if you let them.

So keep them cool.

[andrew e]

Hi, yes the 3.9 ones fit, however depending on if your one is auto or manual the fittings on the oil cooler in the side of the radiator may be different.

Andy

[Milhouse]

Hi, yes the 3.9 ones fit, however depending on if your one is auto or manual the fittings on the oil cooler in the side of the radiator may be different.

Andy

Thanks for all your responses

Mine is a 3.5V8 manual - and the 2nd hand one I'm thinking of fitting is from a 3.9V8 auto.

From a bit of internet reasearch I gather an auto rad into a manual is not usually a problem - just that you don't need to connect the auto tranmission cooler. Is this what you mean by the fittings on the oil cooler side being different?

I think I'll buy this cheap 2nd hand one, 'offer it up to the aperture' and give it a go - at least as a temporary measure while I get the original recored. If it doesn't I'll have the original out of the car and can drop it off for recore anyway and hopefully save the few bucks I'll pay for the 2nd hand unit on labour...