Remove radiator without removing bonnet?

thegfb · Post by **thegfb** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 12:33 pm

The Haynes manual advises that the bonnet should be removed before removing the radiator.
On my early 3.8 S1 it looks as though I could feasibly remove the rad without removing the bonnet.
Am I right or are there some banana skins I haven't foreseen?

Thank you in anticipation

Gareth

ralphr1780 · Post by **ralphr1780** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 1:02 pm

Gareth,
Can be removed with the bonnet on, although safer to be with 4 hands for this job.

thegfb · Post by **thegfb** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 1:03 pm

Thanks Ralph.

Post by **Heuer** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 1:05 pm

I have removed and refitted the radiator without taking the bonnet off. Not difficult although you will need to remove the fan motor, header tank and shroud. It is easier if you have two people but I did it alone - gives you a bit of back ache with all the leaning in though!

thegfb · Post by **thegfb** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 1:11 pm

Thank you David - much appreciated.

Stuart Exelby · Post by **Stuart Exelby** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:12 pm

Heuer wrote:I have removed and refitted the radiator without taking the bonnet off. Not difficult although you will need to remove the fan motor, header tank and shroud. It is easier if you have two people but I did it alone - gives you a bit of back ache with all the leaning in though!

Gareth - same here - and I'm not clever or blessed with a large garage - it was relatively OK. Most difficult bit I found was removing one of the lower water pipes - other than that, it went smoothly - but carefully!

Post by **1954Etype** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:22 pm

It can be done as previously stated but you risk damage to yourself, the car and the radiator. Removing the bonnet is so easy and makes it so much simpler (plus you can give it a good clean and check over ☺).

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:44 pm

http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/t ... etoff.html

Post by **Heuer** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 10:56 pm

1954Etype wrote:It can be done as previously stated but you risk damage to yourself, the car and the radiator. Removing the bonnet is so easy and makes it so much simpler (plus you can give it a good clean and check over ☺).

But it requires two people and the cost of damaging the bonnet is huge. I fitted a Kenlowe in the car park of a French Hotel without removing the bonnet. I replaced the brass radiator for a Marston on my FHC and it was easy. They are quite light so I can't see the problem. Give it a go

Mark Gordon · Post by **Mark Gordon** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 11:11 pm

My back won't take bending over and leaning in towards the radiator for any significant length of time, so for me, bonnet off is the only way to go. Once it's off, the acess is excellent. It only takes about ten minutes to do the job, but you're right, David, you do need two people to do it safely. You do have at least one friend, don't you David?

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 2:30 am

If you don't want to remove the bonnet you can jack the car up a bit at the front and release the two bonnet links. This will allow you to CAREFULLY tilt the bonnet to vertical. Secure it with a rope from above.

osgii · Post by **osgii** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:04 am

Thank's for the link abowie! Great tuto for an easy step by step removal of the bonnet, that can be handle by only one guy.

Post by **Heuer** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 9:03 am

Mark Gordon wrote: You do have at least one friend, don't you David?

None that don't have back problems! :(

vee eight · Post by **vee eight** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 6:45 pm

I have just removed the rad to get access to the steering rack etc.

As abowie says, it is a very simple job to tilt the bonnet to the near vertical position. Just remove the small grill in the centre of the bonnet and tie a rope or strap from there to the bulkhead bonnet safety bracket. Then release the two bonnet links (one bolt on each) and you can slowly allow the bonnet to go forward into the upright position. The front of the car must be raised first. Secure the rope when you have the bonnet in the desired position. It really does make any jobs at the front of the engine etc, very easy with good access. Takes about 10 minutes.
Phil

thegfb · Post by **thegfb** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:33 pm

Thank you for all your responses - I hadn't thought of bonnet removal being so relatively straightforward albeit requiring a deal of ingenuity in working it out!
In the event I managed to get the rad c/w attached fan out with the bonnet and header tank in situ and after getting the rad recored back in too. I could have done with an extra pair of hands perhaps but as the car was on a 2 post lift I could work from both above and below and with a bit of care I got away with it!

Thanks again

Gareth

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