Off Topic: Need help with E24 Radiator.

[jscaptura1]

I am posting this off topic question in the hopes that our awsome faq members might be able to help me with a radiator problem in my E24.  I submitted the following post to the bigcoupe forum as well.  Thanks in advance for any help!

Good evening all, hope everyone is having a better week than me! Finally had time to pull the 633 out of storage this past weekend and on the way home, blew a hole in the front of the radiator. No, problem I thought, I know Blunttech has one for an 82...but it is not the correct one for my car as far as I know. I am hoping someone here might be able to shed a little light on how one replaces the older style radiator for the E12 based E24's up through 1981. Sean from Blunt sent me an article about adapting an E28 radiator to an E12 5 series. I assume it would be the same for an E24. Unfortunately, the build date of my 633 falls into that funky period of the switchover from the E12 based chassis to the E28 based chassis and it can be a funny mix of whatever parts BMW had leftover and wanted to get rid of. My current radiator is all metal with a huge combination drain plug/temp sensor for the aux fan. The 633 is manual with A/C, it has no place for the aux fan temp sensors other than on that brass drain plug. there is a mount on the left (drivers) side welded to the front panel, the mount on the right is bolted into the front panel. All of the fittings for the hoses seem to be the same as on later radiator models. My main question is, is there a way that the 82-89 radiator can be adapted to my needs? Am I missing finding the correct radiator for my car, or are they no longer available? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Joe

[jscaptura1]

Cooling system upgrade

WWW.FIRSTFIVES.ORG

This is the link to fit an E28 radiator to an E12.

[Son of Marty]

Have your old rad rebuild it won't be cheap but it at least will be right.

[jscaptura1]

25 minutes ago, Son of Marty said:

Have your old rad rebuild it won't be cheap but it at least will be right.

Problem is finding a place that will do it that is relatively close (within say 2 hour drive or so).  I have had no luck with that either but will keep looking and asking.  That would actually be my preference if I can find a place.  Thanks!

[Mike Self]

17 hours ago, jscaptura1 said:

Problem is finding a place that will do it that is relatively close

Radiator shops are going the way ot typewriter repair and CRT TV repair shops...getting harder to find every day.  I'm not sure if we still have one in the Dayton area any more, when we used to have a dozen...

 

But I'd agree with SOM; even if you have to replace the whole core (a good chance to increase capacity, like the 3 row core radiators the Silicon Garage used to offer) you know it'll be correct, fit properly and even provide additional cooling.

 

Believe it or not, folks used to adapt Pinto radiators to 2002s...

 

mike

[jscaptura1]

Thanks Mike, I believe I have found a radiator shop in Mansfield (PA not ohio), about an hour from me.  Talked to the owner and he said he should have no trouble with it.  I am taking it to him Monday and will be discussing the possibility of doing a 3 row core.  BTW, I do remember, a long time ago, 02 owners talking about Pinto radiators...glad it wasn't fue

[jscaptura1]

Fuel tanks!  Don't know why the rest was cut off!

[2002iii]

According to realoem.com it the same radiator used in the e12 5-series. Wallothnesch.com has original and 25% more cooling options. Champion radiators makes a nice aluminum one that's cheaper than the original ones.

[jscaptura1]

Thanks!  I was able to find a good shop about an hour from me.  They are working on it & I hope to have it back soon.  Shop seems like a great place,so I ame hopeful.  Will keep you posted.