To re-core or not to re-core? That, is the question!

[AliK]

Ok wise ones, I need your wizzend advice.

My radiator which was purchased new by the PO, less than 10k miles ago has the tiniest weep. I can only imagine it will get worse over time.

With the MSA reproduction out of stock with the support no longer making it, my choices are:

1. Use Mauricio to re-core the existing one and see if he can convert it to 3 rows (which I estimate at around £150 with postage etc - currently awaiting a quote). He seems to have a great reputation with club members.

https://www.readyrads.co.uk/bookings-checkout/fuel-tank-repairs

2. Buy an aluminium one for £140ish off eBay. But it won’t suit the car as well as an original rad. Although it does look more motorsport ... hmm?







Has anyone had theirs re-cored and would you recommend that route? I like the look of the original one in the engine bay but really want to do the job the once!

Also are aluminium rads really that much better for cooling than the brass / copper one I have?

I have zero interest in using the liquid leak stopper stuff and can’t see where the leak is coming from either.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

I had the original re-cored with a triple core copper. Cost about £230. So more efficient than the above, you could say more robust and easier to fix.


Looks nicer also.

 

[MCBladeRun]

https://zclub.net/community/index.php?threads/radiator-recore-costs.27124/#post-309500

It's not a case of which metal cools better, it's just the direction the manufacturing went, aluminium is just an easier material.

Unfortunately that means if you want to recore your existing rad, expect to pay more for the brass/copper.

I'd say this cost might be upwards of £350 now. I may go aluminium if it breaks again plus, I've bought aluminium fans for the existing rad...

 

[240L31]

I got the mishimoto aluminum one and it's really awesome. Fits exactly like the stock one and is incredibly efficient. I wouldn't trust the cheap ebay ones..

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I got the mishimoto aluminum one and it's really awesome. Fits exactly like the stock one and is incredibly efficient. I wouldn't trust the cheap ebay ones..

Jonathan had one of these fitted too and it seems very efficient - I was out yesterday in the heat and the temp. only got to 'normal' when I was stationary at some temp 3-way traffic lights (perhaps I need a 'hotter' thermostat).

If the price is similar to a recore I'd fit aluminium and then you still have the original which has some value.

 

[Huw]

Hi Ali

What about zcarsource.com they are pricey but appear to still do one.

https://zcarsource.com/radiator-240z-copper-brass-70-73-new/

Also do a 280Z and 280ZX rad

 

[jonbills]

my vote goes for cheap ebay ones.
It's easy to spray them black.

 

[Turn & Burn]

my vote goes for cheap ebay ones.
It's easy to spray them black.

My vote for the ebay version. I have a 3 core 280z one and it’s been spot on so far. Reckon all the alu ones will be made in a similar sweat shop so will be of a similar quality.

 

[Farmer42]

I have an aluminium one off eBay and have had no problems with it. Fitted ok too.

You do have to watch out for them though. If you have a rad with a curved bottom hose fitting you need to be careful in the design. Look for one with the smoothe pipe curve in one piece not the ones that have several bits welded together.

You need to be careful with re-coring the oem rads. Get the tanks thoroughly inspected as they tend to rot from the inside and spring pinhole leaks. You would waste your money putting a new core in with rotten tanks.

 

[uk66fastback]

I bought a recored original from Saccy and replaced the ali one that was on the car when I bought it. Looks much better to me ...

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Ali likes bling though.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

The original looking radiator matches the OER carbs he’s going to buy better though.

 

[AliK]

Thanks gents, you’ve all given me a lot to think about, I really appreciate you all taking the time to share yours experiences - God that sounded so like a self help group. Maybe that is what we are? A group of guys and gals saying “I’ve resisted buying a part for a whole month, but the allure of RHDJapan got the better of me last week”!!

Which ever way I swing, I will certainly go three core. The modified engine does need more cooling than the old one.

And no Mr Franky!!! Bad Franky! Go to the naughty step and ponder what you are trying to do to my marriage!

As much as I have lust and envy towards your OERs (feels a bit “covet not thy neighbour’s wife”), if I ever buy OER, it will be their injection manifold / TB setup. There, I said it - EFi - and still secure in my masculinity!

 

[Bazzateer]

Hi everyone, my name's Baz, and I'm a car-aholic.
I haven't bought a car in 16 months. I even sold one a few months ago.

My stock rad sprang a leak (my fault) so I bought a cheap aluminium eBay one that came with a shroud and two electric fans. It seems to work fine keeping the temp gauge at half way under all conditions. The fans do kick in briefly after a run and bring the temp down quickly.