The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

i had thought about the alli rad,nice bit of bling
But to dear

Dave

ive now got hold of a Saab rad,one thing i dont know is on the sprint rad,theres a small hose top right hand corner, what do i do with it blank it off ?

Dave

Steve

Ive now got a Saab rad and header tank again from Saab,how do i plum the tank in ?,and just to make thinks a bit more tricky id like to keep the standard fan,and fit the Saab fan on the front of the rad and see if i could run the fan back wards or just turn the fan blades around how would i fix the fan to the rad

Hope you can help Dave

There also some dutch guy jeroensprint that used a ford radiator.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12104&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Jeroen

Here one fitted in one of my sprints.

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I can't, at this point in time, visualize the Saab header (i'll have a look at the one on my scrapper in the morning) I used a Volvo header on my car! But the basic idea is that you mount the header bottle as high as possible in the engine bay and wherever convenient then connect the largest and lowest hose neck on the header into the bottom radiator hose via a tee piece (try Car Builder Solutions for tee pieces) If you are lucky, you will be able to connect the extra hose neck out of the stat housing to the small (roughly 12mm) neck at the top right corner of the rad (you will need to make or obtain a hose "step down" to get over the size disparity) and connect the overflow tiny hose from the stat housing (that used to go to the expansion bottle) to the smallest and highest neck on the header. If your Saab header has any other necks, blank 'em off!

I honestly don't think you will get the Saab's electric fan onto a Sprint on EITHER side, it's just too bulky! Mine ONLY just fits and my Vauxhall engine sits a good 3" further back than a Sprint lump. If you are keeping the viscous original fan, that should be enough to get you up and running and you can ditch the viscous and go full electric with an aftermarket slimline fan at a later date. There is no point in running BOTH sorts of fan in parallel, f you need both, you have a deeper problem and are only masking the symptoms!

Steve

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'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.

To confirm what Steve suggested, the Saab fan assembly won't fit.

The top RH spout on the Saab radiator is necessary, plumb into the existing thermostat housing
(you need a 45 degree 11mm elbow, 16mm -11mm straight adapter and some 16mm straight hose).

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20092
This thread details my fitting of a Saab radiator into a Dolomite 1850.
Alas the photos have gone away but it may still be of use.

I used a Volvo 850 header tank, but plumbing in the Saab one is done the same way.



Me, I won't do another Saab radiator fitting, I have went for a new Sprint rad in alloy.
The two alterations from OE I consider essential are to employ a proper header tank and use Evans Powercool 180 coolant.





Ian.

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I like the Evans coolant concept however do be aware that it will not stop the engine running too hot. Conventional coolant will boil over thus giving you a warning sign whereas the Evans will just run very hot if you have a problem. This can still lead to warped heads and blown gaskets. Those looking to improve power should also know that waterless coolants have tended to actually reduce power due to the higher viscosity of the fluid, likewise it does not flow as well through thinner radiator tubes.

No it doesn't boil over or even pressurise under normal conditions but if your car is already running hot it will just compound the problem and not make it go away.

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Mark

1961 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon
1980 Dolomite Sprint project using brand new shell
2009 Mazda MX5 2.0 Sport
2018 Infiniti Q30

It is rather tempting to respond, but that would be devilment.




Ian.

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Ian

Thanks for the reply,any reason you didnt go with another Saab rad,and bought the alli sprint one

Thanks Dave

Absolutely ! In addition because the engine runs hotter it will use more oil ( 1 1/2 pints between changes on my 1850 now ) And it will pink more on a hot day.
To quantify the difference in running temperature my 1850 used to run at 78 deg C. On a comparable quite warm day it now runs at 92 deg C. I am also aware of the higher viscosity so I don't rev; the engine until it is warmed up.
And the heater in Winter is not so good. But "adequate" rather than "good".
But the big plus points are the no pressurisation of the coolant and ( I hope ) next time I do my 1850 head gasket the studs will come straight out, as the EWC has an oily texture. And I can get 33mpg now.
So swings and roundabouts.
Tony.

The weakest of the weak links in the cooling system is the so called expansion tank.
If you dump it and then properly install a header tank then there is no need to fit a different radiator.

For me making up bespoke hoses, it is a big easier to fit the Sprint radiator.

If I ever need to install an engine oil cooler there is a convenient next to the standard sized radiator.


You will however save a bit of money buying a saab radiator.





Ian.

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For clarity As we have discussed already, you are using Classic cool 180, Tony.
This is not suitable for any Dolomite with a standard "expansion tank".

Powercool 180 is the correct version to use.
That is what I used in the 1850 without it running any hotter. BTW it is easily good for 40mpg.


Considering that Evans coolant has been around for decades and, after rigorous testing, is OE for several major manufacturers
the debate(?) about it amuses me.



Ian.

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