What have you done to your DEFENDER today?
- Thread starter javelinadave
- Start date
erover82
Well-known member
Seems to be common with all brands of welded aluminum radiators.
FedEx dropped off my last order from Rovers North, and despite the rain, I made the final connections to the spill rail and lift pump. I bled the lines and she fired right up! It definitely sounds much smoother now with the rebuilt injectors.
I idled it for a bit and saw no obvious leaks (though the rain was coming down harder by that point), and took it on some laps of my yard. Again no leaks, so I loaded the back up with every type of fluid and took it out on the road for a short drive.
This was my first time ever driving this on the road, or driving a Defender at all for that matter. The engine seemed strong, and wonderfully I have a brake pedal now that the new vacuum pump is in. Just a short drive to the neighborhood across the street and back, but no drama, no breakdown and no leaks that I can see.
I’m pretty sure the rear calipers are toast, but I already have new everything for the axles. Will perhaps take this weekend off and get cracking on the next phase soon.
I idled it for a bit and saw no obvious leaks (though the rain was coming down harder by that point), and took it on some laps of my yard. Again no leaks, so I loaded the back up with every type of fluid and took it out on the road for a short drive.
This was my first time ever driving this on the road, or driving a Defender at all for that matter. The engine seemed strong, and wonderfully I have a brake pedal now that the new vacuum pump is in. Just a short drive to the neighborhood across the street and back, but no drama, no breakdown and no leaks that I can see.
I’m pretty sure the rear calipers are toast, but I already have new everything for the axles. Will perhaps take this weekend off and get cracking on the next phase soon.
This same task is on my list...
rocky
NAS-ROW Addict
If thats the case, its reslly sad.
Looks good. Darker than I was expecting
My Allisport is leaking
rocky
NAS-ROW Addict
Radiator is being pressure tested. I got a sense that there is a good chance its not repairable if it the damage is the fins. Aluminum radiators seem more fragile and perhaps not up to the abuse we give them. The leak was getting worse so its time to investigate. If I have to RN will be getting another call to go along with the NRP exhaust (old one has rotted out).....
I’m going to have Ron Davis build me one at some point. I’ve installed at least a dozen of them in LS and RV8 builds without any issues.
KW1985def110
Well-known member
Has anybody used QuickDraws cooling package? Not cheap, but neither are the other options
quickdrawbrand.com
Cooling Package- Universal Radiator & Intercooler
Universal Cooling package for your turbo diesel swap. Works great with the Cummins R2.8, Cummins 4BT, Ford 2.3, and more.
quickdrawbrand.com
Just a few small projects today: changed the fuel filter, drained the separator and bled the brakes. Fortunately the rear calipers do seem to be working fine, but I’ll probably replace the calipers and flexible line anyway when I do the rear axles.
I just realized that the PO had stronger rear flanges installed. This is the first sign that anyone prior to me ever showed the truck any love.
With that all done, I loaded up the family and went for a nice drive on a beautiful day.
I just realized that the PO had stronger rear flanges installed. This is the first sign that anyone prior to me ever showed the truck any love.
With that all done, I loaded up the family and went for a nice drive on a beautiful day.
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Z.G
Well-known member
It usually means the opposite in my experience, hd flanges typically means it’s seen some trails
WreckITFrank
Technical Excellence Contributor
With any luck you get matching axles...
MountainD
Technical Excellence Contributor
I was a fan of allisport and even promoted them to friends briefly based on the weld quality. For about 2 months. I’ll never speak highly about them again. 2 months of use till I leaked.
they offered to take a look to see if it qualified for warranty, just send it back, freight both ways on me, and they’d possibly warranty if they deemed it their fault or they’d sell me a new one for 25% off plus freight. Saw no reason to do either with all the shit that I’ve seen in last year about them. Profit over quality, friggin bye-bye in my book.
talked with Sareck radiators who I’ve used for years— they make radiators for big rigs and trophy trucks/off road buggies. They strongly recommended that I do stacked plate for strength, way more core tube material to weld/soldier. They reused my end tanks and cut to same width to reuse intercooler. Oversized 25% to make up any cooling heat transfer and still fit on end tanks. Been 5 months, so far so good.
My guy there used same in his off-road truck, 70’s Bronco, IIRC,and he’d do thesame again today. I have history with them back to 2001– expensive, yes. Should have had them make it off the get-go
they offered to take a look to see if it qualified for warranty, just send it back, freight both ways on me, and they’d possibly warranty if they deemed it their fault or they’d sell me a new one for 25% off plus freight. Saw no reason to do either with all the shit that I’ve seen in last year about them. Profit over quality, friggin bye-bye in my book.
talked with Sareck radiators who I’ve used for years— they make radiators for big rigs and trophy trucks/off road buggies. They strongly recommended that I do stacked plate for strength, way more core tube material to weld/soldier. They reused my end tanks and cut to same width to reuse intercooler. Oversized 25% to make up any cooling heat transfer and still fit on end tanks. Been 5 months, so far so good.
My guy there used same in his off-road truck, 70’s Bronco, IIRC,and he’d do thesame again today. I have history with them back to 2001– expensive, yes. Should have had them make it off the get-go
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That is so sweet! Maybe they’d be willing to do a small run of those rads in the future?
E
MountainD
Technical Excellence Contributor
You’d want to size it with a particular intercooler but I know they would. Trails will open soon here and rocks are brutal, loads of shakes (washboard) and bumps and bangs (big rock fields). So I’ll be putting it through paces BUT haven’t hit it hard since it was done. If I recommend something, I want it to be solid. For me, so far so good, but hot summers, towing and bashing before I give it the bloody knuckles stamp.
rocky
NAS-ROW Addict
My Allisport failed.
I can't find Sareck but can find Serck Motorsports. https://www.serckgulf.com/automotive_catalogue/index.html on their site does show Defender TD radiators, so they have the basic dimensions. Interestingly, they seem to be part of Unipart, which was the parts division for British Leyland/Austin Rover. Similar to Motorcraft for Ford.
PS my Allisport is no good. So there is an order up to RN for a replacement. I'm so annoyed.
I can't find Sareck but can find Serck Motorsports. https://www.serckgulf.com/automotive_catalogue/index.html on their site does show Defender TD radiators, so they have the basic dimensions. Interestingly, they seem to be part of Unipart, which was the parts division for British Leyland/Austin Rover. Similar to Motorcraft for Ford.
PS my Allisport is no good. So there is an order up to RN for a replacement. I'm so annoyed.
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Well, for the OM617 swap, I decided to get an old 200tdi intercooler and rad setup. I would love to have a nice thick core aluminum rad that fits in the stock location with the intake and the outlet ports to the right. I am also moving the intercoler to the right but having the rad inlet/outlet oorts closer to the source ill simplify things for me. Right now the swap has a length of 13" upper hose that I am not crzy about.
E