Seris II 1978 XJ12 radiator has massive leaks and is real bad condition, what options are there, is there a cheap retrofit from a foreign car brand or a drop in replacement that doesn't cost the earth.

 

Hi Tomahawk

You should be in luck because these rads are in copper, and you can normally get them recored at a radiator specialist, who will take off the top and bottom pieces and fit a new core in between. Good, Eh ?

 

There is NO "cheap alternative", sorry if that si not what you want to hear. There are alternatives obviously, but whatever you do is NOT going to be cheap.

Ours was recored 12 years ago, at it was $680 then.

I considered a HE radiator, which is the thinny unit, but kept with the thicker one. The HE unit is a direct fit, as such, if you find a s/h unit, although some bracket alteration MAY be required, as some of the Pre HE had the brackets for the oil cooler attached to the radiator lower plate, whereas the HE had the brackets attached to the lower support panel. I did that alteration to ours, makes getting the radiator out much easier.

Sometimes you see them appear on Fleabay.

 

I ended up buying a used one for $400 off a local shop that deal with English cars. Not really excited but happy to be moving on. Alot of calling and searching.

If a generic say 6.0L ford or GM radiator which retails new for $150 could be adapted that would be the future solution. My reading suggests they really haven't changed all that much. May be a good business for someone in the know.

 

You can use a generic single pass radiator if you reconfigure the plumbing to a single upper radiator hose.

Cheers
DD