Hi, my radiator, like me, is showing signs of age. The header tank is turning brown and the ridge on the top hose spigot has a bit missing. Searching for a new replacement radiator is problematic because...um they are no longer held in stock by anybody I have contacted so far. The difference as I understand it, is the transmission cooler pipes connection. XJRs run a GM gearbox which is the reason.
Has anybody tried modifying the standard x300 radiator to work in an XJR6, or is that a No-No? Thanks for reading.

 

I had an aluminum custom radiator made for my 3.2 Daimler, for NZD $1100 about 3 yrs ago. That was only slightly more expensive than a brand new plastic Jaguar one imported from UK..

 

I am sure there is plenty of room up front for an air/oil trans cooler.

You would have to make some new hoses but you can find that any town of any size.

You would lose the ability of the radiator to WARM the transmission up in super cold weather (yes that is one of the benefits of a water/air cooler as the trans will stay cold a long time if driven lightly in cold weather.....not an issue in Queensland I assume???).

You will probably have better transmission cooling than before though.

 

The only difference between the XJR radiator and the rest is that the connectors for the transmission oil cooler are the opposite, ie male rather than female or vice versa, I cant remember which.
One solution therefore is to fit a normally aspirated radiator and find converter couplings to allow the transmission cooler to be connected up.
Alternatively, it is not difficult to find a radiator shop who will recore the radiator with a brass core, rather than aluminium.
I chose the latter solution a few years ago, and it has been fine, and avoided a significant outlay for a custom radiator.

 

I didn't know that X300 radiators have different versions. According to Jaguar Classic parts, the three versions are
(a) MNA4190EB [still available for GBP294] for all X300s with Manual Transmission;
(b) MNA4190AA [no longer available] for Supercharged X300 with Auto Transmission;
(c) MNA4190DB [still available for GBP435] for non-supercharged X300s with Auto Transmission.
Fortunately, aftermarket versions of MNA4190DB are also available, for about GBP280.

 

Sorry, I was overlooking the manual versions, which dont have a transmission oil cooler, obviously.
The only difference between the auto transmission versions of the radiator between normally aspirated and supercharged is with the "polarity" of the couplings for the transmission oil cooler ( as the Supercharged has a different transmission). All other dimensions are identical.

 

thanks AL, that's an option. I rang a company in Brisbane but their quote was
2-2.5 thousand....eeeek

 

Ric, thanks i didn't know about the other effects of the water/oil trans cooler. Space in a SC car, as I am sure you are aware is at a premium under the bonnet!

 

Radiators are low-tech consumables so many have learned to fabricate one locally, as no matter how much cheaper you can find factory original or aftermarket online, the size and weight of the radiator mean shipment across the continents is going to hurt.

 

Is it possible to remove the connectors from a s/c radiator and attach them to a n/a radiator?