Good evening, would it be possible for anyone with a 3.7 Roadster to take some pictures of their original plastic radiator remote header tank and its retaining brackets.

I have just fitted an alloy radiator in our 3.7 and its gone in very easy and sits beautifully in position. What is not sitting nicely in position is the original plastic radiator header tank that sits between and protrudes slightly above the radiator and the engine rocker cover.

On our car the OSF tank mounting which slips into a plastic loop on the side of the header tank and in turn is bolted to the inner wing looks like it was poorly made originally, or it is a replacement fitted between its initial build and my purchase of the car. I took some photos of the header tank in position before I removed it, but in taking the tank out I found it had been very badly fitted and had been rubbing, so I am not keen to try and use the original bracket again. On the NSF to centre the header tank is retained by a single bolt that in its original fitting went through an upright "ear" on the inner wing spreader bar. With the alloy radiator this original spreader bar is replaced by a purpose designed spreader bar that holds the upper radiator in place via a rubber "bobbin" rubber shock mount. From this mount there is an alloy L bracket that is supposed to hold the NSF/centre header tank bolt mount.

So if anyone has a photo or two of both sides of their header tank with its retaining brackets that would be very appreciated, either original radiator or an alloy radiator version. I suspect I am going to have to fabricate both sets of brackets to hold the header tank in its correct position, hence the need for photos and to cross check my tanks mounting position.. Lastly, just to say that the alloy radiator is adjusted correctly in position.. This afternoon and just to check other fitting positions I tried to fit it with a different orientation of the upper spreader bars "ear" and variations of the lower holding arms ..it was completely wrong.. So I am back to how I had it mounted originally where it is sitting very well and non stressed..

Dave, bit too dark and cold to venture out tonight, but I'll do you some photos tomorrow

I do remember having to tweak the header tank to stop it rubbing on the underside of the bonnet

Hi Jon, thank you, photos would be very appreciated.. The tanks positioning is a bit tricky to make sure its at the right height, orientation etc and also avoid rubbing on bonnet and/or engine/ radiator etc.. not a lot of free room.

dave

Dave, I'm actually in the process of fitting a SiFab radiator kit so well up to speed with your query.

At the moment have just removed the OE kit including header tank of course. The latter is supported in two places at right angles to each other in OE installation. One an upright bracket lug (adjacent and just inboard of r/h forward bonnet catch) allowing a slot on tank (left side of pic below) to drop onto it, and second at the front (r/h side of pic), secured by M6 fixing through tank lug to the OE cross bar upward facing flange.



The ally right angle bracket, part of SiFab kit, shown loosely assembled to this front tank lug.



Second pic looking down from top, shows SiFab tank test assembled with new cross bar with horizontal flange to accomodate top centre rad mount. At the moment I too am not sure how the header tank hooks up in this area to new bracket to allow it level support. Was planning to fit rad then figure out this conumdrum

Look forward to seeing Jon's pic's.

Found this pic better showing how the header tank front support is attached to upright cross bar flange in OE installation. Note tank does appear to be tipped forward slightly as with mine.

Photo of the tank with ali rad. You can see it slopes. N.B. I miss a bracket to fix the tank properly to the cross bar which Simon is providing to me

Thanks John. Although yours is a Mulfab radiator the fitting looks similar and I see the cable clip presently fixing header tank! I think I can see how Simon's small bracket would work now although initial calculations placed front mounting higher than original. Maybe not so bad though as tank will sit closer to level than OE, subject to bonnet clearance.

The next trick is to fit the ali T piece instead of the plastic one. I have one from Simon on the shelf awaiting a warmer day.
I think Monday pm. Today is the AngleMog committe meeting and Sunday the NTCL with Follkmog so a busy weekend & Belle will get a run out to Southwold.

Richard before I head out some pictures of the other side and of the T piece from SiFab. The tank mounting is as it was from before AW fitted the ali rad. There are no witness marks of any wear on the bonnet inner or elsewhere. You can see the tank slopes. For ease I also have added level lines in black permanent marker so I can check the level on the side with the filler cap. I hope that helps

Thanks again John. Just fitted my new T piece.