Let's talk radiators/cooling/heating + bonus clutch firewall leak!

[Nikolai]

Hey,

I think it's time for a new radiator. I don't like orange rusty water!

Not only that, but just today it randomly dropped out all of the fluid! I suspect it may be a poor bottom hose connection? Any other ideas?

What radiator models would I be looking at? I'm also wanting to get an electric fan. Could anyone provide some TradeMe links of what I'd be looking at?

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Heating: the heater pipes are connected. However, turning the heater on doesn't do anything at all apart from blow cold air. In fact, even when you turn off all the air to be blowing inside, it still just keeps blowing cold air from outside - I'm thinking that the levers that are meant to block off the air and change it to heating are simply not functioning properly? Any other ideas?

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Bonus: Re-sealed my windscreen, still leaking water. Seem to have traced it to the seal around the clutch cable being completely disintegrated and leaking water in. Any tips on how to best replace it? I'm thinking piece of plastic cut to fit + silicone?

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Cheers!!!

[blekkja]

The chryslers came standard with electric fans, didn't they? Or at least mine did, because I chucked it in my Alpine at the same time that I swapped the 1300 into it.

I have no idea what the radiator/fan from my current car is from so I can't help much there. As long as the bottom pipe is to the left and the top is to the right and it isn't larger than the stock by a ridiculous amount you should be fine. (In saying that if you are doing it then it makes sense to get something better!) Any after market fan should be fine.

I've got my fan hooked up to a manual switch on the dash and it is fantastic. Warms up nice and fast in the winter, just make sure you remember to hit it when the needle gets near the N. (Switch is mounted near the choke so it's a natural 2 step process usually.

[avenga]

I have an aftermarket fan in my '75 after my mechanical fan hit the radiator at high revs. I have mine hooked up to a thermostat plus a manual "On" switch it the cabin so I can switch it between On or Auto. Read my build thread under members gallery to see pics.

Try Silverdale Radiators, see if they have a new one that fits. Alternately you could get the stock one recored. I looked in to getting this done but the core is very expensive.

The Chrysler Avengers did have an electric fan. The radiator was a bit different and had a little thermostat down the bottom of the radiator near the bottom hose which connected up to that fan.

I had the same problem with water getting in my clutch seal, I just siliconed around it and it seemed to work.

[taylor]

I recored mine somewhere in Hamilton can't quite remember the name, but what i do remember is that it cost me near on $350!

[avenga]

Yup, That is the same sort of figures I was quoted. I think the core alone was something like $280 then the rest in labour recoring it.

I ended up just using a spare radiator I had as a spare for my race car until I could get the one in my '75 repaired. It still keeps it cool but has suffered some damage from when the fan hit it so it could be better.

here are some pics.

Damage to my old radiator



Why not to have a mechanical fan on a hot Avenger engine.







My new electric fan

[Nikolai]

Thanks for all the help and advice.

Took the Avenger down to Manukau today and leaving it overnight for tints, alarm and central locking. Looking forward to that!

I think I'm just going to:

buy new radiator
buy new water pump
buy shiny new water pipes

btw Richard, any rough indication of when your bonnet will be for sale and the price? SO keen on it!!

We should have an Auckland meet end of October??

[avenga]

I am taking my Charger down to the South Island on the 19th of October and I won't be back till november so the bonnet won't be before then.

If we are all still keen on the Avenger meet we should do it this Sunday or next Sunday.

[blekkja]

central locking.

mind blown.

though at one stage i was putting serious thought into electric windows. chuck them on an automatic timer so they all go up 30 secs or so after you turn off the motor. or on a seat sensor or something. be so boss.

[Nikolai]

mind blown.

though at one stage i was putting serious thought into electric windows. chuck them on an automatic timer so they all go up 30 secs or so after you turn off the motor. or on a seat sensor or something. be so boss.

Yup it was a pretty good deal..

TreatMe $190 for Mongoose alarm + install
$190 for central locking kit + install
$240 for good brand 2nd darkest black tints (i think it's what I picked)

To be fair, it turns out I knew someone who worked there so got like $120 off the tints!

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Wow, that idea sounds awesome, I'd prefer the 30secs after the motor turns off. How were you thinking of doing this?
Would be keen on doing something like that - perhaps we could pool knowledge/etc and split costs on shipping/custom parts?

The first question would be how to get the electric windows working? What sort of kit would work?

I am taking my Charger down to the South Island on the 19th of October and I won't be back till november so the bonnet won't be before then.

If we are all still keen on the Avenger meet we should do it this Sunday or next Sunday.

Ah awesome, that sounds great! I'm happy to wait! Means I can spend money on other things for the Avenger to get it worthy of a bonnet

Probably I could do next Sunday for a few hours.

[Malcolm]

Yeah I once managed only two runs at an Autocross because the fanblades hit the radiator......so eventually used an electric fan out of a Chrysler to go into mine.
I also hooked up a header tank out of a Chrysler to the standard radiator, don't know if it made much difference, but it was a mod!!!!!
Had a hunt through a wreckers to come up with some preformed hoses to suit, only thing was that the header tank was mounted on the opposite side to the overflow neck on the standard radiator. Also had to replace the normal radiator cap with a recovery cap.

[blekkja]

i've just got an old coke bottle jammed in next to the battery mount with the overflow chucked into it. works a treat, eh.

[avenga]

Yeah I once managed only two runs at an Autocross because the fanblades hit the radiator......

I know your pain. happened to me in my '80 race car and '75/

i've just got an old coke bottle jammed in next to the battery mount with the overflow chucked into it. works a treat, eh.

I found a powerade bottle works great as a breather catch can also. I raced for about 5 years with this one on my '80

[blekkja]

the end of my breather is simply cable tied to the engine cross-member. being british it is going to leak anyway, so what is a little more?

[avenga]

Yeah I do the same on my '75 but on the race track they don't really appreciate oil dumped on the track. Would be a good way to stop people following my lines

[1300super]

Lol catch cans arnt that expensive. I got mine for $42 at repco.