Anyone use “the flying Dutchman’s” 6 impeller water pump?

[Peter Truman]

Same as Steve's, the daughters Mk2 Spit has had a cheap PRC full width aluminum rad fitted for 20 years it cost $100, there still sold locally here in Melb by the same company for $175 incl rad cap and free postage. 

The only weak point I can see is the inlet and outlet pipework there relatively thin and easily damaged so don't overtighten, the rad inlet pipe is made from two sections mitered and welded together so looks a bit untidy, but hey after 20 years obviously fit for purpose.

To recore an original brass/copper Rad will cost well over $400, I keep an old one just in CASE! but it's a no brainer I'd replace with a cheap PRC Ally when the time comes!

A local and obviously better made ally rad by a specialist rally rad Co for the Vitesse would cost me well over $800,

[avivalasvegas]

1 hour ago, Peter Truman said:

To recore an original brass/copper Rad will cost well over $400, I keep an old one just in CASE! but it's a no brainer I'd replace with a cheap PRC Ally when the time comes!

I've had horrible experiences with Chinese radiators. Almost always the neck near the inlet fails and/ or leaks appear out of nowhere. I'll never buy another Chinese part again. 

[Peter Truman]

1 hour ago, avivalasvegas said:

I've had horrible experiences with Chinese radiators. Almost always the neck near the inlet fails and/ or leaks appear out of nowhere. I'll never buy another Chinese part again. 

As I said the pipework isn't the best and very thin, why they couldn't have made it better for the sake of a couple of cents? the rad cap fitment is turned Al and strong so why not make the pipe to rad tank stronger. Like most Chinese things the product is marred by their lack of testing and understanding of its use!

But as I said our cheapie has lasted well 20 years and its been used on some pretty rubbish Aussie backroads that shake the hell out of British cars.

[johny]

Ive never had a problem but maybe the durability of the rad depends on the hose connections it has in that if these are short and rigid rubber more strain is placed on them and they can cause cracks? Ive found large differences in hoses with some as hard a iron and others very flexible but as you say it would help to use beefier pipes welded to the radiator in the first place...

[avivalasvegas]

I was able to get a ~15% discount by contacting Radtec directly. Still frightfully expensive but atleast I know I won't need to worry about leaks for a while. Seriously well constructed piece of kit. 

[Colin Lindsay]

On 20/04/2023 at 07:13, johny said:

Ive never had a problem but maybe the durability of the rad depends on the hose connections it has in that if these are short and rigid rubber more strain is placed on them and they can cause cracks? Ive found large differences in hoses with some as hard a iron and others very flexible but as you say it would help to use beefier pipes welded to the radiator in the first place...

What I found with the Herald is that the radiator can be in one of two positions, depending on the fixing holes on the sides and on the engine side valences. If you put it in the wrong position it puts strain on the top hose which then splits surprisingly easily (especially today's modern cheap hoses). Fit the rad so that the pipe runs as straight as possible and it's fine.

[avivalasvegas]

Radtec is a work of art! 

Weighs < 3 kgs. Superbly built. Powdercoated aluminum. Costs less than a recore. 

[Iain T]

14 hours ago, avivalasvegas said:

Radtec is a work of art! 

Looks like the welding is good quality and not as we used to call it pigeon s**t. 

Iain 

[avivalasvegas]

1 hour ago, Iain T said:

Looks like the welding is good quality and not as we used to call it pigeon s**t. 

Iain 

Agreed. It's far superior to any radiator I've ever come across (and I've had a few rebuilt!) Also weighs well under <3kgs dry!

[johny]

17 hours ago, avivalasvegas said:

Weighs < 3 kgs. Superbly built. Powdercoated aluminum. Costs less than a recore. 

Even with the discount I think the cost is 464.60 so are you sure you couldnt get a recore for less than that😲

[Peter Truman]

The top pipework on a GT6 rad looks very untidy doesn't it, it looks almost back to the syphonic cooling system of pre war days! One adavantage I assume it is a high point for bleeding the system, but it does make the Vitesse semicircular top rad hose where it sends the coolant backwards to go frontwards is artwork compared to a GT6.

Nice looking rad & well finished remember when removing and installing the rad to put a bit of removal cardboard on the face of the rad to protect the fins from damage.

[avivalasvegas]

On 13/05/2023 at 13:11, johny said:

Even with the discount I think the cost is 464.60 so are you sure you couldnt get a recore for less than that😲

I’m sure.

[Iain T]

If I had to replace my radiator I would go for a new quality British made aluminium one. The benefits are fit and forget plus the extra cooling is worthwhile in today's traffic. As the above quote indicates the days of £80 recores is long gone. 

Iain