Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

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Tommys 89 635
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Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by Tommys 89 635 »

I'm on my 3rd oem radiator since 1995 from the infamous cracking at the upper neck where the hose connects to. It's still working well but I've always thought about an all aluminum radiator. Does anyone have one from another model year that fits or had one custom made?
Tommy
1989 635 CSI (Second owner since Jun 1995, driven daily and retired in 2013 with 295k to occasional driving)
2011 335D (Daily driver) with 103,550
ron
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Re: Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by ron »

Tommys 89 635 wrote: Fri Apr 27, 2018 9:03 pm Does anyone have one from another model year that fits or had one custom made?
Try the search function (top right of screen)!!!

search.php?keywords=aluminium+radiator
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
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Tommys 89 635
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Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:23 pm
Location: San Mateo, CA just South of San Francisco

Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by Tommys 89 635 »

Thanks Ron for the link to another post and glad to see that it was a Wizard radiator. I’m definitely interested in buying one but would anyone be interested in a group buy? I spoke to the builder and cost is 550.00 manual and 580.00 for auto, 5 units would be 15% off, 10 units would be 20% off - I think it’s a pretty good deal. Shipping cost roughly 70.00 to 75.00 as the company is located in Buffalo NY. If folks are interested out of the US, I’m sure the company can figure out the shipping costs. Build time is approximately 3 weeks. Who ever is interested, I will make a list and send to the company, they will contact and confirm with you. I will need the following information: name, phone number and email. So let’s get a list together by May 6. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Tommy
1989 635 CSI (Second owner since Jun 1995, driven daily and retired in 2013 with 295k to occasional driving)
2011 335D (Daily driver) with 103,550
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nick88highline
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Re: Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by nick88highline »

I bought one from Wizard two years ago:

Image

It's a nice piece of kit, but with the auto transmission radiator included it only just fits with literally 2 or 3 mm either side. It does require modification of the fanshroud (as you can see in the picture), rubber mounting bobbins and the radiator itself, so is not a "drop-in" replacement. It also comes with NPT fittings on the oil cooler which is far from ideal on a metric car. ](*,)
If, for some reason, your car is fitted with an 11-blade fan (unlikely) you will need to re-fit the 9-blade one, as the radiator is quite a bit deeper than the standard one and in fact if you don't modify the rubber mounting bobbins then you can't even install the fan at all... 8-[

So basically be prepared for a difficult fitting session, but well worth it in the end as this is a lifetime investment that IS repairable!
Nick
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BMW i3 (2016)
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86_6series
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Re: Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by 86_6series »

Funny that this post popped up.

I also needed a radiator and ordered a Wizard just yesterday. All positive posts about this US, New York State made radiator.. Expensive but

in my opinion the best.

https://wizardcooling.com/german/bmw/
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Tommys 89 635
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Re: Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by Tommys 89 635 »

Nick,

The radiator looks really nice. I spoke to the fabricator and he said it is slightly larger 3/8' on the passenger side and the mounting points retain their original location. As for the NPT fitting for the oil cooler, did you have to use a tap and die kit to change it to metric? What did you haev to do to the rubber bobbins, cut those in half? Not sure off the top of my head about the fan, I'm pretty sure it's the oem one. After completion, can you easily change the belts if needed? Thanks
Tommy
1989 635 CSI (Second owner since Jun 1995, driven daily and retired in 2013 with 295k to occasional driving)
2011 335D (Daily driver) with 103,550
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86_6series
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Re: Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by 86_6series »

I just did a 5 speed swap, no worries for a trans cool for me.
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nick88highline
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Re: Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by nick88highline »

Tommys 89 635 wrote: Tue May 01, 2018 4:39 pm Nick,

The radiator looks really nice. I spoke to the fabricator and he said it is slightly larger 3/8' on the passenger side and the mounting points retain their original location. As for the NPT fitting for the oil cooler, did you have to use a tap and die kit to change it to metric? What did you haev to do to the rubber bobbins, cut those in half? Not sure off the top of my head about the fan, I'm pretty sure it's the oem one. After completion, can you easily change the belts if needed? Thanks
The radiator mounting points are more or less as per the original location, but not exactly the same. I got a pair of 1/4 NPT to M18x1.5 female adaptors made up (at great expense) for the oil cooler as I would not attempt to change the thread. The rubber bobbins were cut in half but the metal sleeve within was retained. Please note that there are two bobbin lengths and the ones you would get from BMW now are much larger than the ones originally fitted. It's these new ones I cut in half, but retained the original metal sleeves as the new ones were too long. As you can see this isn't a simple conversion. You will also need to cut a section of aluminum from the top of the radiator otherwise you will not be able to re-fit the fan.
Changing the belts is not an issue with the radiator installed. You can remove the viscous fan without too much difficulty.
Nick

PS Please PM me for more detail if required.
BMW 635CSiA (1988)
BMW i3 (2016)
Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 (2000)
Morris Minor 1000 (1968)
Tommys 89 635
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Location: San Mateo, CA just South of San Francisco

Re: Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by Tommys 89 635 »

Nick,

Pm'd you.
Tommy
1989 635 CSI (Second owner since Jun 1995, driven daily and retired in 2013 with 295k to occasional driving)
2011 335D (Daily driver) with 103,550
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ericono
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Re: Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by ericono »

To make sure i am not misunderstanding you Nick, when you say "oil cooler" you mean for the automatic transmission fluid?

Just want to clarify because when I hear oil cooler, I think engine oil and I have a separate cooler for that.

Thanks,

Eric
'85 M635, '00 528iT, '98 Z3
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nick88highline
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Re: Anyone have an all aluminum radiator?

Post by nick88highline »

ericono wrote: Fri May 11, 2018 11:55 am To make sure i am not misunderstanding you Nick, when you say "oil cooler" you mean for the automatic transmission fluid?

Just want to clarify because when I hear oil cooler, I think engine oil and I have a separate cooler for that.

Thanks,

Eric
I'm talking only about the water radiator and the built-in transmission oil cooler.
Nick
BMW 635CSiA (1988)
BMW i3 (2016)
Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 (2000)
Morris Minor 1000 (1968)
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