A BeCool Radiator was installed prior to my purchase of my WE4.
I was blasting and repainting my radiator hold down as just a general detail / touch up this weekend.
Obviously removed the hold down, but did not pay much attention to how it came off.
So all is good, the hold down looks factory fresh and now (of course) - the problem:
The passenger side of the radiator is ultra tight or to put it another way, is pressed up (too tightly) against the A/C condenser heat exchanger.
It makes having to really force the radiator against the A/C condenser, and I can barely get the hold down bolts started.
I can do it, but I'm not at all comfortable with the geometry of what is going on here.
While I realize the hold down doesn't neccesarily have to be a drop down and finger tight the bolts, and things can be a little wiggle snug - it would be my preference.
I don't like forcing or cobbling things, especially where there is non-insulated rubbing likely to occur.
The problem as I see it seems to be that the BeCool incorporates a transmission cooler.
So far - so good.
The conections from the trans to the BeCool are via hard lines.
Ok so far.
The problem is the connection to the BeCool is via a 90 degree 1/4" N.P.T male/female fitting
This fitting collides with the existing little bracket that holds the low and high pressure A/C lines in place.
Also notice that if you compress all this, you're not only pressing against the bracket in a very undesirable way, but ultimately, you're dangerously close to putting stress on the tubes coming out of the A/C condenser.
(See picture for detail)
Also, I notice the side tanks on the BeCool are considerably wider than the NOS radiator.
This in theory is good, but it also contributes to this thickened geometry, making that fitting clearance non-existant.
I can not move the A/C condenser further toward the grill, as it fastens to the core support in a hard stop way.
It is as far forward as it will go.
The (top of the ) BeCool radiator could be (slightly) closer to the engine, but then the bolt holes on the factory hold down bracket will not line up.
There is no problem on the right (driver's) side with the right most 2 or three mounting bolts.
It gets progressively worse towards the passenger side, where the interference is occuring.
Slotting (hacking) is an option, but the holes are slotted East / West already, and there is not alot of meat to slot them in North / South direction.
(See picture for bolt hold alignment)
And if you'll notice, I am at least 1/4" to 3/8" off on my alignment, and that is with the radiator pressed super tightly against that problem bracket.
I need at least 1/2" more to feel comfortable with the finished product.
In other words, I don't want to have that radiator's trans fitting pressed super tight against that bracket and rub, rub, rub - so I need 1/4" to align the holes and 1/4" clearance space between the fitting and the bracket
I'll call BeCool in the morning and run this by them if no one has experience or suggestions for this,
Or is the magic solution an aftermarket radiator hold down that would allow the mounting holes to be either A) Custom located or B) Slotted properly allowing the radiator to be slightly engine-ward and providing a safe clearance between the trans cooler fitting elbow and the A/C condenser?
Soooo....
Anyone?
I was blasting and repainting my radiator hold down as just a general detail / touch up this weekend.
Obviously removed the hold down, but did not pay much attention to how it came off.
So all is good, the hold down looks factory fresh and now (of course) - the problem:
The passenger side of the radiator is ultra tight or to put it another way, is pressed up (too tightly) against the A/C condenser heat exchanger.
It makes having to really force the radiator against the A/C condenser, and I can barely get the hold down bolts started.
I can do it, but I'm not at all comfortable with the geometry of what is going on here.
While I realize the hold down doesn't neccesarily have to be a drop down and finger tight the bolts, and things can be a little wiggle snug - it would be my preference.
I don't like forcing or cobbling things, especially where there is non-insulated rubbing likely to occur.
The problem as I see it seems to be that the BeCool incorporates a transmission cooler.
So far - so good.
The conections from the trans to the BeCool are via hard lines.
Ok so far.
The problem is the connection to the BeCool is via a 90 degree 1/4" N.P.T male/female fitting
This fitting collides with the existing little bracket that holds the low and high pressure A/C lines in place.
Also notice that if you compress all this, you're not only pressing against the bracket in a very undesirable way, but ultimately, you're dangerously close to putting stress on the tubes coming out of the A/C condenser.
(See picture for detail)
Also, I notice the side tanks on the BeCool are considerably wider than the NOS radiator.
This in theory is good, but it also contributes to this thickened geometry, making that fitting clearance non-existant.
I can not move the A/C condenser further toward the grill, as it fastens to the core support in a hard stop way.
It is as far forward as it will go.
The (top of the ) BeCool radiator could be (slightly) closer to the engine, but then the bolt holes on the factory hold down bracket will not line up.
There is no problem on the right (driver's) side with the right most 2 or three mounting bolts.
It gets progressively worse towards the passenger side, where the interference is occuring.
Slotting (hacking) is an option, but the holes are slotted East / West already, and there is not alot of meat to slot them in North / South direction.
(See picture for bolt hold alignment)
And if you'll notice, I am at least 1/4" to 3/8" off on my alignment, and that is with the radiator pressed super tightly against that problem bracket.
I need at least 1/2" more to feel comfortable with the finished product.
In other words, I don't want to have that radiator's trans fitting pressed super tight against that bracket and rub, rub, rub - so I need 1/4" to align the holes and 1/4" clearance space between the fitting and the bracket
I'll call BeCool in the morning and run this by them if no one has experience or suggestions for this,
Or is the magic solution an aftermarket radiator hold down that would allow the mounting holes to be either A) Custom located or B) Slotted properly allowing the radiator to be slightly engine-ward and providing a safe clearance between the trans cooler fitting elbow and the A/C condenser?
Soooo....
Anyone?