Mk1 GTI Radiators - with expansion tank

[GTXTRA]

Ever since the Mk1 has been on the road I've had a coolant leak - pinned it down to needing a new metal pipe linking the lower heater pipe to the main engine plumbing. Car was rebuilt incorporating a plastic pipe that's wasn't tough enough - that's all sorted having fitted a bit of metal pipe cut and posted to me by Tim at the Phirm.

During the build I bought what appears to be a NOS 480MM radiator as per the VAGCAT and Heritage listings. As per http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Rad ... try_US.htm

Can any of the owners with Mk1 GTI or Storms with an expansion tank measure the rad set up in their cars and let me know what you're actually running?
With the 480mm set up the rad and shroud overlays my inner spot lamp to the extent it would be a slightly fiddly job to change a bulb.

I've been messing around with a pattern 430mm rad today - literally - but as is usual with cheap reps it's not lining up with any of the mounting points on the car or the fan shrouds I have.

Cheers in advance.

[MRMENDER]

My Storm runs on a direct fill rad it is exactly the same.
Just pull the clip on the front of the rad and tilt it back a few degrees and you can get to the spot lamp dead easy.

[GTXTRA]

My Storm runs on a direct fill rad it is exactly the same.
Just pull the clip on the front of the rad and tilt it back a few degrees and you can get to the spot lamp dead easy.

there's the thing - as an 'itsabitsa' car my shroud is a little bit wider too and has no top clip assembly.

looks like i'm putting the 480mm back on tomorrow then - cheers H.

[PeteGLi]

I've got a 525mm rad in the LHD, fastened to the front panel with Mk2 type fixings.
I also have a radiator shroud that should fit a 480mm radiator - it came off the GLi. From memory, the top fill radiator was mounted on screw in rubber bobbins, rather than on the push fit pegs of the Mk2 radiator.

[GTXTRA]

I've got a 525mm rad in the LHD, fastened to the front panel with Mk2 type fixings.
I also have a radiator shroud that should fit a 480mm radiator - it came off the GLi. From memory, the top fill radiator was mounted on screw in rubber bobbins, rather than on the push fit pegs of the Mk2 radiator.

Indeed Pete - still getting used to the vagaries of Mk1 life - I've refitted the 480mm rad with the rubber bobbins.

Nate may have a an air guide when he next gets to his garage, if you can check too that would be great.

[PeteGLi]

Nate may have a an air guide when he next gets to his garage, if you can check too that would be great.

If you mean the cardboard to channel the airflow, have a look in Classic Parts shop, as they do/did still have some, (whether the right ones or not??) last time I browsed. I only have the ones to put back in the GLi - and I know one of them is incomplete!

[GTXTRA]

No, I mean the metal shroud - VW call it air guide confusingly on vagcat.

[PeteGLi]

No, I mean the metal shroud - VW call it air guide confusingly on vagcat.

The shroud with the two rubber flaps that the fan sits in? This one...?
2 171121205H
fan cowl
/ EG,EM,FN DIESEL:CK industrial engine

As I will be fitting a Flex-a-Lite twin electric fan, mine could well be spare.

[sanjay529]

My mk1 also has the top fill radiator, but has the bracket for the expansion tank on the suspension turret. Ideally I want to change it to the expansion tank setup also as that's what it should be, and its a lot easier to keep an eye on the level every time you open the bonnet. Do you have a parts list of what you are going to change to do this? I've only got as far as rad (not sure which one), tank (without sensor?) with its 2 hoses, a fitting to one of these hoses to connect near the block. Hoping its the same shroud, fan and fan switch.