flying_fox Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Followed the book instructions yet cannot remove the old Rad as bottom hose connection on rad, will not pass the fan plastic blades -- does this mean the side valences need to be removed or is this sore finger/hand trouble ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Rad definitely comes out without removing side panels on my car. Engine fan is now gone but it did even when I still had one.May depend a bit on what fan is fitted. Some of the saloon ones are bigger and sometimes end up on Vitesses. Not sure how much removing side valances would help as there is also a chassis rail close by down there.Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mazfg Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I used to have the metal blade fan on my Vitesse 6 and the radiator came out no problem. Last year though after a head rebuild, I decided to change mine to a lighter plastic fan with more blades: http://www.chriswitor.com/proddetail.php?prod=308353SHProblem I had was getting the radiator back in and consequently out after fitting this plastic fan. It is tight, but do-able, you just need to maneuver rad and fan somewhat and I think a little flexing of the fan blades will do it. I found initially fitting the rad it suddenly went in past the blades, but wouldn't then come back out without some manipulation! As you said and for me too, it's that bottom rad hose connection that's the killer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyf Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Try Turning the Engine over with the Fan as you pull up and remove the radiator.The Bottom hose spout will fit in the gap between adjacent blades as you rotate the fan, you can then move the radiator up and out?Hope that makes sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straight Six Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 garyf wrote:Try Turning the Engine over with the Fan as you pull up and remove the radiator.The Bottom hose spout will fit in the gap between adjacent blades as you rotate the fan, you can then move the radiator up and out?Hope that makes sense?That's how I do it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolallan Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 I also agree with GaryF, that's how I used to do it, rotating the fan along with lifting the rad allowed the bottom hose connection to pass through. I did used to lose quite a lot of knuckle on the radiator fins, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 agree with the struggle definitely a rotate the 7 blade and shove wiggle , get osme cheap sticky plasters from the old tin in the boot and see if you or the rad wins Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flying_fox Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 Thank you all, I too had decided to free the fan it is the plastic version and see if that's the trickTo bore you all this all started as at the MOT it was suggested that perhaps the rad bottom tank looked suspect, so wife says change it!After its out it will go to Exeter Radiators and if its actually checked ok etc I will offer it for sale. I still have to manage flushing the block, without I hope "popping core plugs"Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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