DeTomaso Mailing List: May 98, Message #139

Max,
  Sounds like you have an early (vertical baffle) radiator. You may be able
to recondition it, but if you plan on keeping the car for a while
(forever?) I strongly suggest recoring as I did. It will cost ~$300 more
than rodding out and splitting the baffle (as I previously mentioned) but I
think it is money well spent. Rember, the radiator is (probably) ~25 years
old. Whatever you do, get rid of the vertical baffle.
  I think the 5 row/119 tube louvered Modine recore that was put in mine is
more efficient that the original. Last week I drove home from work in
pretty heavy stop/go trafic (average speed ~20) in about 65 deg temp.
Engine temp never got above 180 (thermo stat is 180) with the fan truned
OFF (still haven't hooked up the thermo swithch). This means I could have
driven with no fans at 80 outside and not gotten above 195 (recommended
thermostat temp). I don't think the stock radiator will do this. If you
want more specific info on the core they used on mine, I can get the info
for you. One caution on splitting the tank top/bottom. At least on my car,
the return line was on the top where the thermo switch is. This won't work
right as the return needs to be about 30 deg cooler than the engine temp at
idle. So if you have a 200 deg switch, you'll be at 230 before the fans
come on.
  I'm sure the PCNC can steer you to a good radiator shop. But it's really
not brain surgery; any decent shop should be able to handle the job.


Richard Barkley

To Ski or not to Ski, that is the question!