[DeTomaso] Radiators

[Julian Kift]

For other options in aluminum Ron Davies makes a nice radiator for the Pantera by all accounts and Superior Radiator sells their version on eBay with some happy customers.

Julian

Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2015 21:10:23 -0400
To: steve at snclocks.com; detomaso at poca.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Radiators
From: detomaso at poca.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

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-------------- next part --------------
   For other options in aluminum Ron Davies makes a nice radiator for the
   Pantera by all accounts and Superior Radiator sells their version on
   eBay with some happy customers.
   Julian
   Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2015 21:10:23 -0400
   To: steve at snclocks.com; detomaso at poca.com
   Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Radiators
   From: detomaso at poca.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 bee
n
> 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, Th
e
> 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

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