Radiator removal

Ian Jones · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 4:06 am Post subject: Radiator removal

Hi
Is it best to remove the water pump in order to get the radiator out of a 4.5l. Or is there another way to clear the water pump?

John Murch · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 10:53 am Post subject:

You might find this thread useful.
https://www.bdcl.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4825

My Radiator is off at present and I delivered it to CPA services in Grantham who hope to flush out the radseal that I stupidly used to stop a leak in the bottom seam.(unsuccessfully, it just clogged the radiator leading to running too hot).

DavidThompson · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 10:43 am Post subject:

I left mine in place but cut through the bottom hose ( I cut through all the hoses) when removing, but found it easier to attach the pump to the radiator when replacing it , leaving the jubilee clips loose to get the pump positioned.and bolts started

DavidThompson · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 11:30 am Post subject:

I cut through all hoses to facilitate easy removal, but left the pump on the engine.
However, I fitted the pump to the radiator when putting back on, leaving loose clips to facilitate getting the bolts back in easily to the block..
Getting it aligned with the bonnet was the most difficult part of the process.

DavidThompson · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 2:54 pm Post subject:

it seems I have answered this twice!
On both occasions the web site told me there was an error and my reply could not be shown.
I look again and hey presto they have appeared.

Ian Jones · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2025 11:14 am Post subject: Rad removal

Thanks for your advice. I’ve it off now. I had to drill the 2 screws that hold the bonnet hinge bracket onto the rad and now have the problem of removing them. Should these machined screws be brass and how long are they? What do they screw into on the radiator?
It would be good to know before i start drilling them out