Chassis - Radiator Return to Radiator Menu

Rick Page

I worked on the 'rams head' that will split the coolant output from the engine to the two radiators. My friend Andy helped me with how to go about fabricating this piece. You take two mandrel bent pipes and cut them off just after the bend. Then slice a wedge off the end and trim it with the disc sander. Andy suggested the disc and belt sander to help trim, square and clean up the various metal pieces you need to fabricate. It works great! I traced the bottom of a thermostat outlet on to 1/4" plate steel twice. Then cut two overlapping 1 1/2" holes in one plate, then a two inch hole in the other and welded it together inside and out. Then weld the rams head to the plates and blend inside the bracket.

I put the body back on the frame to check the amount of space needed for the radiators.
Then I used the radiators to create an end frame with angle iron. I will use industrial neoprene as a shock absorber between the steel frame and brass radiator parts.
I temporarily clamped the radiator base on the frame to check alignment and clearance prior to tack welding it.

I am extending the frame to the back for rear mounts of the 'trunk' area and also to mount the radiators.

I do have a tendency to over engineer things. You will probably be able to pick the whole car off the the ground by the radiators.

In test fitting the radiator I had to make some adjustments to allow the radiator to be removed in the future.

I finished up and primed both radiator mounts. I then put the body back on the frame to make sure that all the clearance around the radiators would be OK.
Finally a coat of primer will keep surface rust off until I paint them the final frame color

I started working on the hard lines for the radiators. Andy suggested I use aluminized exhaust pipe and told me how to weld the tubing.

I practiced on a few pieces and then dove into welding the lines.

I bought a few 90 degree elbows from JC Whitney to use for the lines.

I ordered some 'hose bead' ends that are short pieces of tubing with the
little ridge that helps secure the hoses.
The pipes were welded in place and painted with high temperature paint.
I'm running Stainless braided lines to the radiators, I may have to do something different though, the hump is going to be a high side for an air pocket.. anyone with suggestions?
Here are the returns from the radiators and the heater hose return. This engineering was provided by Andy, thanks!

I left a message at the Lambo builders forum about changing the fans from sucking to blowing. Thanks to all who answered, Fletch checked with the engineers as well and the consensus is it is fine to reverse polarity.

I ran into a bit of a problem with one of the radiators though. The radiator guy told me not to use those through the fin mounts for the fans. I didn't think it would be a problem as this is going to be a real low mileage vehicle.
Not like I'll blow through 50,000 miles, so I used them anyway. Well, he was right. I actually holed the radiator installing them on one side and then switching to the other. DON'T use this mounting technique.

 
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