| Author | Message | ||
     Robert Howlett Prolific User Username: bobhowlett Post Number: 163 Registered: 9-2010 |
Hi folks Its been awhile since I posted as the old girl has been running good, apart from a stuck front door. My question is when I pull out the radiator to be fixed is it possible to solder in a regular radiator neck and filler cap a remove the header tank? as it is leaking too around the steam valve. Do you think its an ok idea? regards Rob | ||
| Paul Yorke Grand Master Username: paul_yorke Post Number: 1933 Registered: 6-2006 |
No. It is an expansion tank. Take it to be repaired at the same time. They can split the top and bottom and resolder the boss. Cheers, Paul. | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 2718 Registered: 4-2003 |
This conversion was successfully undertaken on a Shadow II about 15 years ago by one of our self help group members using a radiator repairer for the fitting and soldering of the neck onto the RR header tank. I think the neck was recycled from a Ford Falcon XW/XY V8 radiator as this had the overflow connection and cap to allow coolant expansion when hot and return when cold. | ||
| Geoff Wootton Grand Master Username: dounraey Post Number: 1836 Registered: 5-2012 |
Hi David The conversion you mention still uses the header tank. Robert was asking about modifying the actual radiator and dispensing with the header tank. I'd definitely take Paul's advice on this. Modifying the radiator in this way (i.e. no header tank) will likely cause endless problems in coolant loss through the overflow pipe. I was reminded of an article in Tee-one topics (ch 34 p489) where a Cloud header tank was modified by RR engineers. I think the cap looks really incongruous.  Geoff | ||
| Paul Yorke Grand Master Username: paul_yorke Post Number: 1935 Registered: 6-2006 |
PS. When you take the parts to the rad shop. . .tell them it's for a Ute or a mower. Wink. | ||
| Robert Noel Reddington Grand Master Username: bob_uk Post Number: 1567 Registered: 5-2015 |
i would get the header tank properly repaired. The cost of modifying is likely to be the same. Then if problems occur then you know it isnt the header tank because its as RR intended. | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 2484 Registered: 6-2009 |
From the description, "it is leaking around the steam valve," it doesn't sound to me like the header tank itself is compromised. There is a gasket with the steam valve, isn't there? If so I'd suspect it's reached the perished stage and should be replaced. Brian | ||
| Paul Yorke Grand Master Username: paul_yorke Post Number: 1936 Registered: 6-2006 |
Brian, the gasket is air pressure to air pressure only. Unless the overflow hose is blocked there is no way to leak past the gasket. Even then any pressure can come out by the cap. Unfortunately  | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 2485 Registered: 6-2009 |
Paul, Check! If one is going to the trouble to remove the radiator and take it for repair taking the header tank along with it is probably a good idea anyway, even if just to have it tested for leaks at the same time. Brian | ||
| Robert Howlett Prolific User Username: bobhowlett Post Number: 164 Registered: 9-2010 |
Hi folks Many thanks for the advice .I'll take both the header tank and radiator in and have fixed. I guess the engineers at RR are a lot smarter than me on such things. The header tank is leaking around the screws that holds the steam valve in. Some "BOOF HEAD" cross threaded some of them 10 years ago .Its only just started leaking when the radiator blew. I'll recondition both and at least under the bonnet it will look as it should. regard Rob | ||
| Paul Yorke Grand Master Username: paul_yorke Post Number: 1937 Registered: 6-2006 |
Alarm bells are ringing if the radiator and headertank both started leaking at the same time. Check the steam/pressure valve is working and releasing pressure correctly. | ||
| Paul Yorke Grand Master Username: paul_yorke Post Number: 1938 Registered: 6-2006 |
And also check that the overflow isn't blocked. | ||
| Robert Howlett Prolific User Username: bobhowlett Post Number: 169 Registered: 9-2010 |
Hi Guys Took the radiator into our local repair shop yesterday and gave them the go ahead on the repair. Not sure because its a Royce but seems a bit steep on the repair bill, but it has a 3 year warranty and I like to support local business. Here is an email they sent me. Can't complain is 45 years old and the service is great. Cheers Rob The workshop has tested it and found multiple leaks. They would like to disassemble the radiator to check the condition of the tanks before proceeding with a recore. The recore alone will be $1,126.40 inclusive of GST which is subject to the condition of the tanks. Hi Robert, Just a courtesy email to let you know that the workshop has disassembled the tanks and they are fine to reuse. I have ordered the core today however it does have to be made in Beverley, SA. This will take 5-7 business days to be made and then to arrive here. I will let you know once it has arrived and how they are tracking with the recore as well as an estimated end date. Kind Regards, Coxsons Radiators | ||
| Patrick Francis Prolific User Username: jackpot Post Number: 207 Registered: 11-2016 |
Hi Robert (H) I also had a leak from the bottom left corner of my rad, and removed it to have it repaired. Interestingly, the repair man said that the rad was in excellent condition apart from the two righthandmost vertical runs that have had to be condemned (I forget now why they could not be repaired - I think that where they join the bottom tank was too rotten) I have been running it like that for a while with no issues. | ||
| Robert J. Sprauer New User Username: wraithman Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2017 |
Fill with distilled water. Find a radiator sock to prevent debris from the block polluting the new core. | ||
| Chris Browne Prolific User Username: chrisb Post Number: 274 Registered: 2-2010 |
Hi Robert, Not forgetting the correct anti-freeze at 50/50 ratio with the distilled water. Kind regards, Chris | ||
| Robert Noel Reddington Grand Master Username: bob_uk Post Number: 1581 Registered: 5-2015 |
distilled water will instantly turn into normal water as soon as the water touches the engine. Antifreeze has additives to combat corrosion so distilled water is not necessary. However if one wants to use distilled water then go for it. | ||
| Robert J. Sprauer New User Username: wraithman Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2017 |
You have to do everything you can with a cooling system regarding corrosion. If you pull water from a well and its hard water...why use it? | ||
| richard george yeaman Grand Master Username: richyrich Post Number: 869 Registered: 4-2012 |
I use distilled water with 50% antifreeze, But I have heard that distilled water when it is put in the engine tries to get back to being just ordinary water, maybe Robert will elaborate. Richard. | ||
| Robert J. Sprauer New User Username: wraithman Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2017 |
Distilled water is basically water that has been boiled and the steam is condensed leaving the impurities behind. It will get polluted with impurities already in the block. Flushing the block is always a good idea as well as your hot water heater at home. | ||
| Patrick Francis Prolific User Username: jackpot Post Number: 208 Registered: 11-2016 |
I use the same mix as Richard, also using distilled water. Not sure why I use distilled water - I read it somewhere. Don't forget that you should not use the new organic antifreeze in older engines. Apparently it attacks the silicone rubber O-rings and seals particularly in wet liner engines. Some people have used it without a problem, but I have also heard a couple of disaster stories - so why take the risk? Use normal glycol antifreeze and change more often. | ||
| Alan Dibley Prolific User Username: alsdibley Post Number: 109 Registered: 10-2009 |
If you have seen the inside of the water channels in an elderly block, or had an old radiator re-cored because of the lime scale blocking the tubes, you would know why it is recommended to use distilled water. I use the condensate from the dehumidifiers I use in the garage - it may have a little dust or pollen in it but it has no lime. This is a hard-water area. Alan D. in Somerset, UK. | ||
| Robert Noel Reddington Grand Master Username: bob_uk Post Number: 1583 Registered: 5-2015 |
l live in Dorset where the water is not hard like Andover Hants where they have sales of Calgon for washng machines. Antifreee has a calcium inhibitor which stop scale forming. Pure water does not like being pure, it immediately searches for impurities. I don't know the sciencey stuff but I think its like osmosis. Rain water is distilled water with a bit of dirt but no lime. |
