Choice of radiator

PJC · #1 25th March 2007, 19:00

Hello all of you.

I know, it's been a while since I participated in this forum, but I'm a little back. Had a few days off in the past weeks and was able to work lots of hours on the Marlin. So in one phrase: "who's afraid of red" will be the next topic on my site as soon as I update it. I'll inform you here as soon as I have.

Looks good what all of you are doing.
Peter(ux), I also have a mini heater but different version and therefore different installation. I fixed it in one position to blow without lever so my front panel under the dash can go more backwards, because I want my gauges in there.

Anyhow, this topic is for my radiator problem

Several options
1 - I asked Terry already to offer her option for cooling of more than 200 BHP since a simple chip should upgrade my engine to +/- 230 HBP, perhaps in the future. But I don't know how this radiator looks like.
2 - Peter(ux) has a good BMW version, but I have no idea with what specifications to order this one. Seems that you had a wrong one already.
3 - Custommade. Asked already a year ago and it was more then 500 euro at that place. I plan looking and informing at other places, including Radtec, but don't know yet.

Option 2 looks good but must be strong enough.
What versions do all of you have and what are the basic dimensions. Width, height, thickness and original BHP of the car it is for?
Problem with option 2 is that the connectors are just on the wrong side. Maybe the LHD version is the other way around?

Hope to get more option two's.
Please advise.

Peter-Jan

Patrick · #2 25th March 2007, 20:07

I don't have the dimensions to had but the marlin supplied BMW radiator is from cars with the M10 engine. They can also supply a cross flow radiator which I've been told is better. However I don't know which vehicle this radiator is from.

Alfie · #3 26th March 2007, 11:52

I have a pre-facelift m20 2.5 and the standard radiator fits ok,(The inlet and outlet pipes are positioned differently to later models). I just had to trim the frame slightly in the bottom corner to let steering shaft pass through. I have fitted it for now, to get going but intend replacing with another one the same, as it is 20 yrs old so dont know how efficient it will be. I hope I can still get a new one now!
Alfie.

MartinClan · #4 26th March 2007, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

They can also supply a cross flow radiator which I've been told is better. However I don't know which vehicle this radiator is from.

I think the crossflow is a special made for Marlin. I am using a pre facelift M20 2.5 rad the same as Alfie (brand new though) it fits fine but can't comment on the efficiency as I STILL haven't started the engine yet....

Robin

PJC · #5 26th March 2007, 18:03

Thanks so far.

I really didn't know that the bmw is standard part from Marlin.
That why most of you have this one.

I will wait untill Terry can inform me about prices, but until now almost everything Marlin supplies is cheaper than from local dealer, so hope to get a good offer.

Problem is that I need to have a picture to see how one fits, and can't remember having seen that until now. If one of you knows somebody who has one than you can bring him/her in contact with me

(info@marlinsportster.nl)

Peter-Jan

Patrick · #6 26th March 2007, 19:15

There are some pictures of my radiator here: http://www.msportster.co.uk/detail.asp?cat=7&offset=144

http://www.msportster.co.uk/detail.asp?cat=7&offset=96

http://www.msportster.co.uk/detail.asp?cat=7&offset=84 (shows Marlin mounting system)

PJC · #7 27th March 2007, 17:41

Thanks Patrick,

Sorry for my english being not that good, I meant pictures for the crossflow that's used for the V8 Rover. I had seen yours and it looks like a perfect fit. Problem is just that in and out match with the wrong side on the engine.

I really don't know how the crossflow of Martin looks like.

Peter-Jan

Patrick · #8 27th March 2007, 19:18

Sorry misunderstood

I think there are some on the 'build cd' I'll have a look when I get back home and post anything I can find

Robin has some pics of his on this page: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/martinclan/pictures1.htm

Simon · #9 27th March 2007, 20:26

I bought the Marlin crossflow type radiator (Part XF1) for my Cabrio build. I considered using a standard BMW radiator but decided against it as I didn't think it would fit (the BMW 6 cylinder engine is a very tight squeeze in the Cabrio engine bay !). There are a few photos of the radiator on my Flickr web site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlin_...brio/394319568

Hope this helps

Simon

PJC · #10 27th March 2007, 20:54

Simon,

this is of great help !!!
In this angled position it should be possible to mount a radiator like this.
If it's possible for Terry to switch the connectors from left to right and vice versa then even better.
I can't remenber seeing your site but that's my problem

I will update the links on my site to your's too next week.

Is it possible for you to measure the radiator, i.e. width and thickness. Especially the height in the middle and at the sides, because it looks like the Marlin Cabrio has a sharper and higher nose in the middle but it looks like it can be cut to size.

Now I feel much better.
Normally only my wife has the possibility to do that late in the evening...

Peter-Jan

Patrick · #11 28th March 2007, 07:15

These are the pictures I had at home, they are not from the manual. Somebody sent me these but I can not remember who did:

Simon · #12 28th March 2007, 17:09

PJ

Pleased to hear that the information is useful and I hope you find the rest of my Flickr website interesting.

As requested, I've taken some measurements of the Marlin crossflow radiator:
max width = 460mm
max height = 375mm (note the triangular part on top shown in the photo is not part of the radiator)
max depth = 65mm

Patrick - your photos are interesting as the radiator shown also appears to be slightly twisted (as is mine!). At the time I considered returning mine to Marlin for a replacement but I'm now wondering wether they are all like that?!! Hopefully this wont effect the cooling (or durability) performance.

Simon

jeremy · #13 29th March 2007, 16:44

Patricks pics are from myself!This is the marlin rad with upper and lower brackets supplied.It isnt twisted,just the angle the bracket is set on.I had no problem mounting this,but did have the outlets modified by local radiator specialist to match the engine water in/out pipe size, and also had the rad outlets placed in a way which let me use standard bmw hoses.(bmw e36 2.5).hope this helps ,Jeremy
P.s. hope to contribute more soon, house move holding things up!

PJC · #14 29th March 2007, 17:57

Simon

Thanks for the dimensions.
It's lower than I thought it would be.

This looks like a perfect fit.
Now I now this is good only thing is to look if Terry is able to change in and outlet dimensions.

Good idea to match the size of the hoses right now by the way.
Thanks for that tip Jeremy

Peter-Jan

PJC · #15 7th April 2007, 18:36

Hello,

I went on with my search and I see two options.
BMW is able to have lots of radiators in all sizes and there must be versions that fit. It looks like even 5 serie has examples that fit, not only 3 series.
I will have a look at the dealer in the next days.

BUT:
I have had my pedal box, gear lever itself and the holder, the steering rack and small stuff welded at a specialist with lots of radiator technology in house.

It's www.catchtank.eu

All off you must have a close look. It's located +/- 10 miles from my house and the website doesn't show all he does. He is the one who has all the customers with Cobra's, Austin Healy's, GT 40, Donkervoort, BMW M3, super 7's and other cars with problems. What problems?? COOLING problems.

He showed me the new technology with more open airflow through the radiator. I believe they were up to 9 cm thick and I could even see my hand through it. Some customers who had problems with cooling all the time now even don't have there fan on anymore...

And you can imagine, I ordered a fuel swirl pot with all connectors the way I want and thicker than normal.

Yes, I could not resist the looks of it. He sells lots of stuff to England.
Seems we all have something in common !

Peter-Jan

PJC · #16 10th April 2007, 18:17

And yes there it is. Final word from Marlin
-> BMW will do best and perfect for the job.

I looked at internet sites and to be true
-> All of them look like the BMW one's !!!

If even seen an M3 version for real at catchtank.eu -> it's like your's
So I'll go to local BMW dealer to 'feel' which is best.

Peter-Jan

PJC · #17 5th May 2007, 19:42

Guy's

can you give me information about what donor car the BMW is for your radiator?

All dealers are willing to help if I tell them for example 325 from 89 or specific information like the OEM number that's on it. They are not willing to search in the 300 versions there are..

Sites like http://www.dalimex.nl/products.html are helpful but I hope one of you has correct information.

MPERMAN, It's not that I'm not interested but I think I can get one cheaper here in the Netherlands because transport cost will need to be added to you price, sorry.

Peter-Jan

peterux · #18 5th May 2007, 21:50

P-J,

I think mine is part number 17 11 1 151 700 and fits the Marlin chassis space, etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peters-...7594447011861/

Another one that looks similar but no filler cap is
17 11 1 709 497
but I don't know anything about this one.

I think Robin's (martinclan) radiator is 17 11 1 707 563.

There's three to look at?

Not sure if any of these will be big enough for your engine?

good luck,

Peter

Patrick · #19 5th May 2007, 22:35

www.realoem.com is great for looking up BMW part numbers you can search on it too. Its pretty much the same as the ETK system they use at the service desk.