Hey all

Was just putting the finishing touches on my S13 radiator install - doesn't quite seem to clear the bonnet height wise.

I thought it was fine, until I realised that the lower radiator hose will be squashed against the bottom of the car - so I will have to raise it up a bit, which means it will then interfere with the bonnet reinforcement.

Has anyone else had the same issue - what did you do?

I'm thinking of chopping up the bonnet reinforcement so that the top of the radiator clears....but thought I'd ask before I go crazy with the grinder.

hi mildman

mine sits the same the rubber gromits that the rad sits on shoud hold it up just so u can get the hose on as long as its not rubbing it shoud be ok and ive got no issue with the bonnet clears fine

i didnt use the rubber on the buttom coz by the time the hose goes on, it lifts it up just enough, and mine clears the bonnet fine,

Cut up a piece of 2 inch pipe and just make a recess under the bottom hose in the rail.
You know the car will cop it on the track. So dont let it rest on the hose.

So the S13 does fit!!,
What about vibration surely it would wear a hole in the bottom tank if not rubber mounted?

the top picture shows the bottom mounts with rubber bushes for vibration. If it came to it could get an angle welded on to lift hose.
Rubbing aint cool

Phunk

I thought I would be better off raising it up a little then cutting the bonnet reo, rather than bottom rail....plus I don't have a welder.

How much bigger does a rad hose grow when it is under pressure with hot water?

i might be able to just space it enough....

Yeah that's what I was thinking, I've got a little Al left over from the intercooler brackets - I could rivet those in to the front xmember and lift those little rubber mounts up a bit higher, but then I'll end up cutting the bonnet reinforcement.

I'm just surprised I haven't heard anyone have trouble fitting an S13 rad in - I thought it would be perfect fit.

Another case of the old 'it will bolt straight in' I think.

I would rather cut bonnet than rear members of the car - as I assume they are more structural, and more prone to me screwing it up.

I'll find some washers and see how high I can space it on the current grommits, might be enough - depends on how big the rad hose grows under pressure.

I dont think a little recess is going to affect the strength of the car if its welded in. You wouldnt even need to go 10mm deep with the recess.
If you cut into the bonnet frame and dont weld in a plate, it will look ugly and if you cut it out altogether your bonnet will bounce around.
As you have no welder, maybe best to take the radiator and get an angled pipe welded on so that the outlet is more directed in the direction it needs to go. (edit I now see its only aluminium intercooler and plastic radiator tanks. Cant really weld on a new pipe now. )

I wonder how many dodgy 1200s are out there with rubbing bottom hoses?

Could be a few Phunk....a friend of mine offered to do a little welding - I'll see if he was serious.

Otherwise might be time I bought a cheapy gasless MIG to learn the ropes with.