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Has any one got pictures of an installed Marlin supplied BMW radiator? I've got the rad, two brackets shape like an S (ish) and a funny big Y shaped bracket. Build manual and build CD are not very helpful when it comes to this aspect. I'm at a bit of a loss on this one.
Hi patrick, I am doing rad at the moment.It sounds like you have the brackets for mounting the e30 radiator.The marlin rad has a single bracket for the bottom and a large C shaped bracket which mounts across the top of rad and down the sides to mount into the chasis cowl. Would u like a photo? jeremy
Hi patrick, I am doing rad at the moment.It sounds like you have the brackets for mounting the e30 radiator.The marlin rad has a single bracket for the bottom and a large C shaped bracket which mounts across the top of rad and down the sides to mount into the chasis cowl. Would u like a photo? jeremy
I have an E30 rad bought from GSF and it looks a lot smaller than the one other people are fitting. Can you tell me the exact model of the one you have?
The one i got was from Marlin made by nissen the S/N showed as being from an M10 engined BMW. I'll check the exact model number next time I'm in the garage
I doubt very much if a 316/318 rad is up to the job. I think the Marlin supplied crossflow radiator is a special made for them and probably best for the job.
I have used a pre-facelift E30 325 rad which fits nicely and is pretty big - but as I haven't started the engine yet I can't comment on its efficiency.
hmmm that does seem a bit worring -> I guess we shall see once the car is running. Pleanty of Sportster must be running the M10 rad as its the standard "BMW Radiator" from Marlin. If its not good enough then it will just need replacing.
I didn't realise that the "standard" radiator supplied by Marlin is an M10 one. Perhaps I am being over-pessamistic then.
But when you think a 325 is going to be dissipating a lot more heat than a 318 and there isn't a lot of space in the Marlin engine bay.
Cooling is always a bit of a difficult issue on kit cars - specially those of a tradaitional design without much width up front. As far as the rad goes it's a case of the bigger the better. If your budget streches to it (mine didn't) I would use the Marlin crossflow rad. I am not sure why but crossflow is much better than the traditional top to bottom of most radiators.
In any case fit the biggest electric fan that you can BEHIND the radiator - much more effcient this way according to pacet.
I have a 518 1988 raidiator fitted it is very similar to the 318 except the bottom hose connection is straight and not on a slight angle like the 318.
Initially I had overheating problems whilst in traffic none on a run though. I put this down to the radiator being central whilst the engine fan is slightly to the offside also there was no cowl arround the fan to draw the air through.
I disposed of the viscous fan and fitted a electric fan directly on the radiator now I have no overheat issues at all.
For you guys fitting the 318 Radiator I would sugest you follow same route as me I cant comment on the others.
OK, so my radiator has a cracked non fixable header tank. I can see if I can get an identical 2nd hand one or I can go buy the Marlin crossflow. Has anyone got a crossflow that can send me a pic at bmw.sportster(at)virgin.net?
Or could tell me where the pipe connections are, top left bottom right pechance?
Hi Andy, will send you those rad pics asap of marlin cross flow.I took mine to my local radiator repair man and got him to replace the narrow pipe inlet and outlet with those the size of the engine inlet /outlet; this made fitting so much easier and cost only a few quid.I also got him to put a screw bleed valve on the top passenger side of the rad; this I hope will allow me to bleed the system with ease and also allows the fan thermostat to be inserted into this.I have kept the system pressurised by running the top pipe of the marlin/rover mg expansion bottle to the pipe going into the left side of the throttle housing and this should stop air locks.This system has been used by Chris Cunnliff on his e36 car with great success.I havent fired up yet, so I have my fingers crossed! cheers.
I will have to speak to Terry about getting the other mounts.