[DeTomaso] Radiators

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/28/15 15 34 37, steve at snclocks.com writes:


> Whilst I am enjoying driving 5332, I noticed that I have a seep from 
> where one of the radiator tubes enters the header tank.  Looks like it has been 
> there a while, small seep, but left a puddle when I ran the engine at 1500 
> rpm for 10 minutes to charge the a/c.  It's a Fluidyne radiator, bought 
> and installed in 2011, with perhaps 4,000 miles on it. 
> 
>>>Bummer.   Many have discovered to their sadness that Fluidyne radiators 
(at least the first-generation models for the Pantera) cooled very well but 
had very poor longevity.
> 
> >Hence the following questions:
> 
> Is it worth getting the leak tig'd?  I have no doubt that a friend can 
> weld up the current leak - it looks to be on the front of the tube and pretty 
> accessible.  But, search "Fluidyne radiator leak" and one gets a lot of 
> hits.  What is the experience of you guys who have them in your cars?
> 
>>>I only have second-hand experience with them.   Typically when they 
start leaking, it's not due to an insult (i.e. rock hitting a tube), but rather 
they leak where the tubes join the end tanks.   And if you contact Fluidyne 
to ask them WTF, they tell you it's not repairable, but they will happily 
sell you a new one at full price.

Asa Jay had a remarkable experience with them; they actually listened to 
his problem, and eventually stood behind their product.   But his experience 
is the exception rather than the rule.

On the other hand, if your leak is caused by a hole in a tube and it can be 
accessed and fixed, it's certainly worth a try?
> 
> >I see that FlowKooler has a more conventional radiator (not aluminum).  
> Do any of you have experience with their unit?  I note they state:  " 
> Repeated calls from Pantera car owners complaining about leaking aluminum 
> radiators in their Panteras led FlowKooler to work with its sister company, The 
> Brassworks, to design not only the primary radiator and fan assembly but the 
> auxiliary cooling system for the rear of the car."  While their radiator 
> costs more, well, perhaps not depending on how lont Fluidyne's last. 
> 
> Any and all comments welcome.
> 
>>>I've long advocated use of the standard (not 'Phoenix') Hall Pantera 
brass radiator.   They cost about the same as the Fluidyne units, cool just as 
well, and are infinitely repairable by a local radiator shop in the event of 
a problem.   My car runs down the road right at 180 degrees, and idling in 
traffic forever, it will get up to about 195 with both fans running.   Lori 
has the same radiator/fans in her car with exactly the same results.

If you have to buy one, I can't recommend that one highly enough.   But if 
you can get away with repairing yours, I'd try that first.

Good luck!

Mike
-------------- next part --------------
   In a message dated 6/28/15 15 34 37, steve at snclocks.com writes:

     Whilst I am enjoying driving 5332, I noticed that I have a seep from
     where one of the radiator tubes enters the header tank.  Looks like
     it has been there a while, small seep, but left a puddle when I ran
     the engine at 1500 rpm for 10 minutes to charge the a/c.  It's a
     Fluidyne radiator, bought and installed in 2011, with perhaps 4,000
     miles on it.

   >>>Bummer.  Many have discovered to their sadness that Fluidyne
   radiators (at least the first-generation models for the Pantera) cooled
   very well but had very poor longevity.

     >Hence the following questions:
     Is it worth getting the leak tig'd?  I have no doubt that a friend
     can weld up the current leak - it looks to be on the front of the
     tube and pretty accessible.  But, search "Fluidyne radiator leak"
     and one gets a lot of hits.  What is the experience of you guys who
     have them in your cars?

   >>>I only have second-hand experience with them.  Typically when they
   start leaking, it's not due to an insult (i.e. rock hitting a tube),
   but rather they leak where the tubes join the end tanks.  And if you
   contact Fluidyne to ask them WTF, they tell you it's not repairable,
   but they will happily sell you a new one at full price.
   Asa Jay had a remarkable experience with them; they actually listened
   to his problem, and eventually stood behind their product.  But his
   experience is the exception rather than the rule.
   On the other hand, if your leak is caused by a hole in a tube and it
   can be accessed and fixed, it's certainly worth a try?

     >I see that FlowKooler has a more conventional radiator (not
     aluminum).  Do any of you have experience with their unit?  I note
     they state:  " Repeated calls from Pantera car owners complaining
     about leaking aluminum radiators in their Panteras led FlowKooler to
     work with its sister company, The Brassworks, to design not only the
     primary radiator and fan assembly but the auxiliary cooling system
     for the rear of the car."  While their radiator costs more, well,
     perhaps not depending on how lont Fluidyne's last.
     Any and all comments welcome.

   >>>I've long advocated use of the standard (not 'Phoenix') Hall Pantera
   brass radiator.  They cost about the same as the Fluidyne units, cool
   just as well, and are infinitely repairable by a local radiator shop in
   the event of a problem.  My car runs down the road right at 180
   degrees, and idling in traffic forever, it will get up to about 195
   with both fans running.  Lori has the same radiator/fans in her car
   with exactly the same results.
   If you have to buy one, I can't recommend that one highly enough.  But
   if you can get away with repairing yours, I'd try that first.
   Good luck!
   Mike