[skip_rat]

So when I was servicing the Rover last weekend I noticed that all the fins have gone from the bottom third of the radiator. I had a look online but can only seem to find manual radiators for sale. As my car is an automatic it has the integrated transmission oil cooler.

I could have the radiator re-cored but then I don't have any transport so that isn't an ideal option. I was wondering about fitting a manual radiator and a seperate oil cooler for the transmission. Unless anyone has a good used automatic radiator I can buy so I can get around while mine is being re-cored.

[Johnny 216GSi]

So when I was servicing the Rover last weekend I noticed that all the fins have gone from the bottom third of the radiator. I had a look online but can only seem to find manual radiators for sale. As my car is an automatic it has the integrated transmission oil cooler.

I could have the radiator re-cored but then I don't have any transport so that isn't an ideal option. I was wondering about fitting a manual radiator and a seperate oil cooler for the transmission. Unless anyone has a good used automatic radiator I can buy so I can get around while mine is being re-cored.

I think it's a re-core I'm afraid - though there are plenty of autos around - surely one has made its way to a scrap yard somewhere. Then you could swap it, or send that one away for a re-core and you'll have a brand new radiator to fit without taking the car off the road.

The part code for reference was PCC001088EVA (NLA for a long time). The Honda equivalent part for the 1.6 auto Concerto with SOHC engine was: 19010-SK4-E51

If you look up the Honda part code, GM radiators say they can make one - it's a non-stock item, which means it's made by hand and they say this labour-intensive process "is reflected in the price" - heaven knows what a hand-built radiator costs!! Web link:

https://www.gm-radiator.com/?page=searc ... rtno=10334

Might be worth a call - or perhaps they can just offer you a re-core.

Funny you mentioned a separate oil cooler though - Rover used to sell an optional extra transmission oil cooler kit for the automatic cabriolet (part code was UBK10003 - and I've checked, they're definitely NLA).

Normally though, they're installed as a supplement to the exiting cooler in the radiator, as per this diagram:



...as such, this would mean you'd still need your auto radiator fitted for it to work. If you can fit something entirely separately, I'm not sure what propels the oil around the system - or is the oil pressure created by the transmission itself? As you can tell, I'm not an expert.

If you want a manual radiator, the Nissens 642161 is one I often recommend and it's a direct fit, albeit with the top plastic posts that go into the rad brackets about 2-3mm too tall to fit under the slam panel on some cars (not all) and necessitating use of a hacksaw so it just "drops in" and doesn't require any metalwork to be bent out of the way!. All black painted so it looks nice, and Nissens have a good brand name if you look around at opinion on the interweb. There at keen prices on Ebay too - sub £50 sometimes.

[ROVER Cabby]

I have one for sale, see if it is appropriate for your needs.


LINK: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=12542

[The Origina lNom]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROVER-400-41 ... 1438.l2649

[Johnny 216GSi]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROVER-400-41 ... 1438.l2649

Nope. Look at the core size and compare it to the one known good fitment on these cars - a Nissens 642161. It's tall and thin - definitely not the right size for a 416 Honda-engined R8. You have to remember that stockists generally haven't got a clue, and manufacturers include weird date ranges for compatibility that pulls in completely different cars. This will fit a K-series 400 series (so 416 tourer) or 216 cabriolet - but with K series engines only. The "D16Z2" engine compatibility (Honda SOHC) is completely bogus. D16A8 too. No way. I'd have to have a look at the HH-R (400-series bubble) Honda engine codes to be sure it won't fit these either - but there's a good chance.

I wish this wouldn't happen, but it does - a lot.

[Johnny 216GSi]

On a separate note - I wonder what the gearbox feed into the radiator actually does? I assume it's the same coolant and there's no separate chamber inside for it, so it's just an extra "loop" through the gearbox.

I'd be surprised if you can't buy screw-fitting pipe outlets with a flange fitting. Some rubber sealing washers and you're done. I suppose you'd have to drill pretty large holes in the front RHS chamber to be able to tighten them up on the back - so then you're looking for some rubber bungs to fill those holes and a way of holding them in place so they don't pop out.