Fix or replace, the radiator?

I had my radiator cleaned at a local shop and received a call that I had a hole in it. There is a hole from the set screw that comes in from the top of the frame to hold the radiator in place.

I could use some gasket sealant and put an aluminum plate patch. That should hold the pressure since there will be a set screw holding it in place. Not ideal but it may work and it's cheap.

So, that leaves a used or new factory radiator. Used ranges from $95-175. I found a factory new for $299.

The other option is an all aluminum aftermarket radiator. I found the Griffin [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] that does not have a filler neck and looks like it should do the job for a little more than the factory radiator.

What would you do? Is it worth it for the aftermarket/new radiator or would a patch work?

I used the summit universal rad with almost the same dimensions... It was not easy getting it to fit... The griffin rad is a 1/8" wider than the summit rad and will be even more of a challenge. You'd also have to come up with a way to hold it in place. I used some universal brackets and some "L" brackets and I had to cut a bunch of the old steel out... It sucked

Here's the rad and fans I used. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

You'd also have to get a steam vent & rad reservoir connection welded on & modify your stock fans to fit on the rad. I'd say for now get your old rad fixed and decide later if you need a bigger rad cause its a big pain in the butt. I had no choice because the shop I sold my old engine to, took my rad and my fans.

I noticed the link you had for the griffin rad was for 320$

There's another griffin rad the same size for 179$ If you decide to go that route. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I don't think a bigger radiator is necessary and it sounds like too much trouble to make it fit. I am going to run A/C but it won't be on the track often, if at all. The A/C condenser was cleaned and fins straightened at the same time the radiator was cleaned.
So, patch or factory replacement?

Is it leaking at the aluminum part? If it is just get the shop to weld in a patch...

If it's the plastic part you could try some jb weld or something and see how long it lasts for... Eventually you'll need to get a new rad (if its the plastic end tank leaking).

The hole is on the flat top part dead center of the end tank where the set screw holds it in place. At some point it was tightened too much and punctured the end tank. If the fix isn't expected to last, I may as well get a new one from the start.

New OEM. Pick new rad mounts too...it sounds like the uppers are missing their washers.
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Anthro, are you running the stock 951 rad?

I ask because I have a 15" tall aftermarket rad and I keep scraping it on the pavement when coming out/in of driveways, etc., which has caused it to leak. There are some ways to tweak the mounting of taller rads to keep them from scraping, but it sure would be easier to use the stock rad or stock-sized rad and not have to mess with it.

Anyway, to answer your question, there is some stuff called radiator epoxy that you could try, or welding a patch on, but probably the best solution is a new rad. The old one is probably at least partially blocked with crud anyway.

Actually, the old radiator was just cleaned that is when the tech noticed the hole. He said it flowed well. I don't want to spend more than necessary. I ,also, don't want to be stranded by the side of the road from being cheap. Looks like a new radiator is in order. Thanks, for all of the suggestions.

or you could lay out some serious cash and get a dual core from wizard cooling. About $550. Very nice product. I havent installed it yet but it looks great. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Or this one with a built in oil cooler.
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Whoa! Very cool but BIG BIG money!

I was quoted $400 from HoweRacing for a custom dual pass aluminum Radiator built to my specs. Turbo sizes ( except thickness) with -16 AN inlet and outlet on passenger side, with drain plug. I ddint need steam vent, or fill hole.

Mark

If you plan on tracking your car, at the very least replace the radiator with a new OEM one. Perferably replace it with a Ron Davis unit, but those are twice as much as the new OEM.

All the 944 Spec racers out here said cleaning the old radiator out was a waste of time and money, that a new one was the only way to go.

I'm currently waiting to do that on my car, the stock radiator more than keeps up on the street, but doesn't work nearly as well on the track.

What is so special with the Ron Davis radiator? Aren't they like $1000? And if it's for a stock 951 it's going to be single pass with one hose on each side, which requires that long hose acrossthe top.

Mark

Thanks for posting this link.... I'm sourcing parts for a local build and like the cap location/orientation.....
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I was wondering if anyone has gotten rid of the expansion tank and just ran a capped radiator? The Chevy one I posted a while back has the fill cap attached at an angle, while the one above looks like it is verticle, which would be perfect for those who have/are going to Hood pin and get rid of the cross brace.

I know that fluid has to stay above the heads level so has anyone gotten rid of the expansion tank without issue?

On the summit rad I used I had to cut off the cap becuase it was so tight... I would imagine you'd have to do the same with the griffin rad. You're creative though... I'm sure you'll come up with something!

They're $650 and apparently much larger capacity and efficiency compared to stock.

I'm very "creative" with a hammer too

You'll need to be to fit that rad.....

Alright, my new radiator came in and looks exactly like the original minus the hole. Something strange is that the old radiator didn't have a working hose connector over the lower radiator hose. It is blocked off, like the hose connector was formed but the hole was never cut in the plastic. The new radiator has the hole. I would guess this is where the expansion tank connects to the radiator?

Anthro, can you link us to the rad you bought? Is it on a website somewhere?

I got it off of Ebay from vertexauto.com they had a reduced price from the website with free shipping.http://www.vertexauto.com/ShowItem/2892%20Porsche%20Radiator%20For%205%20Speed%20944s2%20944%20Turbo.aspx
The port that was blocked went to the expansion tank . When I say blocked, I mean there was never a hole in the passenger side radiator tank for fluid to go through. I would guess the PO never had to refill the expansion tank.

Standard size? Smart, imo.

Yes, it is a factory replacement. Same brand as the original and looks exactly like it, except now I can use the expansion tank port.