Ouch! New Radiator?

[Atomic Punk]

Was returning from a great run in the sun yesterday when I had an altercation with a particularly unpleasant speed bump Only travelling in single figures (honest!) but the radiator seems to have taken a bit of a bash as there's now a very small coolant leak dripping out

Since I guess the biggest expense in looking at this is the labour, I'm thinking of replacing the radiator whether its fixable or not. Can anyone advise me on what what might be a good upgrade rather then a simple direct replacement? The car is an 82 S3, but fitted with a later HC engine. The car was running perfectly before yesterday's incident with no cooling issues...

Also, can anyone recommend a specialist in the Haslemere (Surrey) area? I'm thinking Lakeside Engineering or the legendary Miles at Glassfibre services. Any views?

Thanks all!

[silverfrost]

Hi Darren,

When i first got my car the whole radiator core was missing! so not knowing

many lotus specialists at the time other than mattys that i bought my first lotus

off, i went to my local little motor factor shop, and they had people come and

collect it and return in all new and reconditioned in a few days! a

[peteyg]

Hi Darren,

Where abouts are you? I'm in Liphook!!

I had these guys recore my very sorry looking rad last summer. Cost about

[Atomic Punk]

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the recommendation. Did you remove and refit the radiator yourself or was this done for you as part of the service?

I'm based in Hindhead so not far from you at all!

Darren.

[peteyg]

ahh, the Devil's Punchbowl...a fine establishment ?!

I did the work myself. Not sure the difference between S2 & S3 but on mine there are 2 bolts holding the rad to the body and 2 holding it to the cowling aswell as the pipes. It's a 30 min job and that's with only one person.

Let me know if you need an extra pair of hands!

Pete

[Atomic Punk]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm going to have some minor fettling done at the same time, so have booked the car in with Miles @ Fibreglass Services. They normally have the radiators re-cored and at a very reasonable rate. I'll let you know how I get on!