Robs freestyle project Discussion Thread
- Thread starter Phaeton
- Start date
robcoles
Member
I did fit a new water pump, I will post a link to the one I fitted.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... ID=EBAY-GB
Could it be that because I've fitted a second radiator & electric fan it's not allowing the stat to open ?
I've plumbed it from the top of head where heater matrix would be plumbed to the bottom radiator hose.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... ID=EBAY-GB
Could it be that because I've fitted a second radiator & electric fan it's not allowing the stat to open ?
I've plumbed it from the top of head where heater matrix would be plumbed to the bottom radiator hose.
Mini Mad Max
Active member
Great to see it's looking so good and back on the road! As for the overheating, the A-series plumbing can be a bit of a headache. Mine is plumbed as simply as possible with a thermostat blanking sleeve so it runs as if the stat is constantly open. The best modification to end all overheating issues is a front mounted radiator. It's a tried and tested method by Alan on the "gay-series", before Mr Bumble under-went his op to K-series 
Mini Mad Max
Active member
Running the engine without the stat can be worse than running it with one, because the lack of restriction causes a big pressure drop, which causes cavitation. So it might not solve the issues until you add the bypass sleeve. Also, there is barely any air flow around the engine so air scoops, ducting and auxiliary fans will always help I see you say that you already have an additional radiator and fan though. Could you post close up pictures of the engine bay so we can understand your current set up?
I see you say that you already have an additional radiator and fan though. Could you post close up pictures of the engine bay so we can understand your current set up?
robcoles
Member
I've just ordered this
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... ID=EBAY-GB
Heres a pic of engine bay , you can see 2nd rad & fan on right
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... ID=EBAY-GB
Heres a pic of engine bay , you can see 2nd rad & fan on right
Lilspeed
Member
Sorry to see you're still having problems Rob. You've probably guessed that most Freestyle owners spend a good amount of time battling cooling issues!
I think you're probably going to suffer more than most having a turbo motor. Remember that these had a nice big front mounted rad when they were at home in the Metro.
If I was you I would definitely look into a fan upgrade for a start. Mine runs a chopped down steel bladed Morris Minor one. It certainly shifts some air, but I still had to fit a big alloy rad and an expansion tank to get the cooling reasonably under control. It'll still get hot under load on a warm day.
Another thing to bear in mind is that a freshly rebuilt engine like yours will always run hot for a few miles until everything beds in.
Hope you get it sorted and start having some fun soon!
I think you're probably going to suffer more than most having a turbo motor. Remember that these had a nice big front mounted rad when they were at home in the Metro.
If I was you I would definitely look into a fan upgrade for a start. Mine runs a chopped down steel bladed Morris Minor one. It certainly shifts some air, but I still had to fit a big alloy rad and an expansion tank to get the cooling reasonably under control. It'll still get hot under load on a warm day.
Another thing to bear in mind is that a freshly rebuilt engine like yours will always run hot for a few miles until everything beds in.
Hope you get it sorted and start having some fun soon!
I personally wouldn't go with it, for the reasons you have stated, the thought of having boiling water above yours & your passengers head.
Not sure where the post is but pretty sure I documented the process with Mr Bumble when I had the A series still in. But basically the premise is, seal the radiator off so no pressure cap, put a radiator at the front under the aluminium nose cone, Danny has used a Fiat Cinquecento very successfully, add a heater matrix in the footwell somewhere, then add an expansion tank. My next step was going to be remove the mechanical pump & replace with an electric one.
Not sure where the post is but pretty sure I documented the process with Mr Bumble when I had the A series still in. But basically the premise is, seal the radiator off so no pressure cap, put a radiator at the front under the aluminium nose cone, Danny has used a Fiat Cinquecento very successfully, add a heater matrix in the footwell somewhere, then add an expansion tank. My next step was going to be remove the mechanical pump & replace with an electric one.