Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Gary t on Thursday,June 10, 2021, 09:36:17 AM
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I have a new Chinese aluminum radiator on my bench and am trying to get my head around all of the steps before tearing into the car. The step I'm not sure about is the stone screen. What have people done about that? Can I use the original? How is it fastened in? How about air sealing/padding?
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You will need a 14mm Otter switch, to drill 2 new holes for the studs to locate in the rectangular hole, and foam to seal the gap around the rad so all the air goes through the rad and not through the gap around the rad.
I have not yet worked out the best mesh to act as a stone screen, but it would be much easier to screw it to the fibreglass from the front wheel well, as it is supposed to stop stones from that tyre punching a hole in the rad.
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Here is a thread from last year in which we discussed- (on page 3) a nomex honeycomb material as an efficient replacement for the debris screen. I fitted a new aluminum radiator and this nomex screen material, but other work ensued so haven't road tested yet. http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=603.msg42702#msg42702
Apologies for the sideways photos, but I can't seem to rotate them.
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Gary, I have installed a Chinese triple core rad in my car with foam tape to seal the perimeter. I had to relocate the mounting holes in the fibreglass. I have installed the OEM screen with no problems in the 500 km. since I put it on the road. I have to pull the front tires off to reset the toe in. I will take a closer look.
Sandy
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On my '73 TCS, the screen was screwed to the edges of the radiator with IIRC, six #14x1/2" sheet metal screws.
RD Enterprises has new screens, FWIW
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A good source of sticky one side foam is a place that fits truck caps. They put a strip between the body and the cap.
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Almost ready to go back in just the bleed valve and stone screen