Hot under the Collar

[ga.spyder]

Peter.just to add to the confusion I had a very similar problem with my 82 last summer at FFO.The needle was creeping way up,fan wasnt coming on.Then when on the long drive,hit some bumps and all of the sudden it was back to normal?SoCalMark suggested I unplug the overheat sensor(just turns on the red overheat light) Voila..problem solved! It had some sort of short or bad connection. Who would have thought of that...besides Mark.
Craig

[kilrwail]

Craig - Thanks. One more thing to try after it's back together. I am very confident in having a perectly functioning cooling system, good for another 31 years. Meanwhile, there are other cars and lots of roads. Cheers!

[kilrwail]

My radiator came back from the shop recored, repainted, pressure tested and equipped with a new neck and 13 psi cap, for $310 CDN. I'm happy with that. Now I just need the new fan switch sensor and thermostat (which someone is sending me) and I'll be all set.

[kilrwail]

Thanks to my good Samaritan a new thermostat and fan switch were waiting for me when I returned from Le Circuit Mont Tremblant yesterday. And thanks to Ron for the tip on installing the IAP thermostat, which differs considerably from the original Savara. The cooling system is functioning perfectly now, after getting a good belch through the bypass hose. I didn't install a Tee in the heater hoses, just filled the system with the car raised on ramps so the rad cap was the highest point. Now we're good for another 30 years

[azygoustoyou]

Is it possible to sandblast or powder coat a radiator?

[kilrwail]

Is it possible to sandblast or powder coat a radiator?

I suppose you could do either, but it might not work properly afterwards!

Seriously, they use radiator paint on the fins as well as the frame. If you took it to a rad shop to be recored, you could ask them to give you the empty frame pieces to refinish before they solder in the new core. But it's all made of brass and solder, which are pretty soft. I don't know how well it would tolerate sandblasting or the heat of powder coating.

[So Cal Mark]

using regular paint or powder coat will insulate the radiator and not allow it to transfer heat

[mdrburchette]

Glad to know you're good for another 30 years, Peter!
When I had my radiator cleaned and checked, I told the guy not to paint it so it's polished brass. Looks real pretty but is a major pain to keep up!

[kilrwail]

I'm not sure that I'm good for another 30 years Denise, but the car should be. By the way, I found that the operating temperature was the wrong side of 190 F under normal use, so I put back the original Savara thermostat and that resulted in cooler temperatures. The IAP 'stat has a smaller opening which doesn't allow enough flow. It's OK as a spare, but not the best.

[joshuagore]

using regular paint or powder coat will insulate the radiator and not allow it to transfer heat

I second this. Its impossible to get a good finish and a thin enough coating with powder coating.
Josh