In case anyone is interested, i found new radiator for the jag from an ebay vendor called reliablerad. Not a universal fit that means cutting and bodging, a direct fit replacement. I will keep you posted on quality when it shows up. The kicker is it was only 138 bucks! If nothing else it will keep me on the road while original gets a recore!!

 

I will be very interested to hear about this. I considered one of these radiators (they're also a brick-and-mortar here in Portland) but being a tiny bit leery of plastic and aluminum (though after all they are in countless other cars!) went with a re-core of the original instead. Still, 138 bucks! Hard to beat!

Andrew.

 

I would guess that,....when you think about it - it would probably be good practice to replace it every 5 years just as a matter of course. 27 bucks a year for peace of mind from over heating.

 

Well, I think the radiator is a plastic and alloy version. Original as far as I know. 22 years and well over 2ooK. No leaks and cools just fine...


The one in my lump is an old tech brass four core. Still fine at about 15 years. Cools very nicely....


Carl

 

I wouldn't have gone out and just thrown a radiator at it straight away, as mentioned an infrared temp gun can really help diagnose things.

What about a blocked or faulty thermostat, worn water pump fins not pumping the coolant properly, or even just a partially blocked radiator that would have been fine after a simple flush, and as mentioned, a weak viscous fan hub too.

I'd be changing my thermostat at the same time as the radiator at the very least, also source a new water pump and radiator hoses, do the whole system at once, even check the heater hoses and bypass hoses for any signs of aging wear or brittleness.

 

went through everything you mentioned except fan clutch and rad when i had head off about 18 months ago! so im really not just throwing a fan at it! i have all receipts from previous owners on this car and other than getting rad cleaned in 96 had nothing done to it.
Radiator is prime suspect over clutch as it was running above average temp at 80mph, clutch makes no difference at that speed! Granted, its hotter out right now and things will run a tad warmer anyways, but im not comfortable running at 105.

anyhoo, like i said, having the rad will let me keep car on road while original rad is sent out for a thorough cleaning and recore if needed!

 

hello Darren, thank you for the ebay seller info.

I am having the same issue with my cooling system. Got a 76 XJ6, and it is running ridiculously hot. I am thinking about getting me a new rad (had a Rockauto debacle). Is your rad from the mentioned seller treating your pony well?

thank you,
Phil
Los Angeles

 

hi, I live in phoenix (110 today) and I have had success with a 4 core radiator and I run a flex fan. I also have 2 electric fans in front of the rad, that come on with the AC. if I had to do it again I might explore the aluminum rad route with the ele fan cage, but this has survived many a summer with out going over. although it has been called the stress mobile. you just can't over do the cooling if you live in hot country

 

i never got to install it, ended up swapping entire drivetrain, so am now using a camaro radiator.
I gave it ( stillin the box) to Jose.