9 replies to this topic

[Brawlyrox]

ive got real issues getting out my old radiator, every nut and bolt is totally seized.... we managed to get a few out, but the main bolt holding the cowling is now broken!! it turns but it wont comeout, does anybody have any suggestions to add to the thousand things i tried.

[dklawson]

On a Mk1 with the two-piece cowl it's an awful job. It's almost faster to pull the engine. Sorry you're having difficulty, hang in there.

Can access the head to the bolt that's spinning using a Dremel tool or cut-off tool on a die grinder? If you can, I'd cut the head of the problem bolt off and sort out the stripped threads once you can remove the cowl from the engine bay.

[TimS]

iv got one bolt that will not thread in or out, but willnot come out of the cowling. So i left it as its doing its job still

[Boab]

Use a tool fine adjustable mate :fear: hammer :fear: .As above, try and grind or cut the bolt if possible. Try the new hacksaw blade (advertised on the TV) thats just come out and is useful for tight spaces.

[FATKiD]

I know what you mean

Took mine out last week to change my speedo cable, took me about 1h to get the Radiator out (Had to grind 2 bolts off) , then i spent another 2h trying to get the speedo cable off,

I still havnt got the speedo cable off, i'm gonna try to get it off again on sunday

Cheers

[cowboy]

you can take the radiator out and leave the cowling in place

undo the top and bottom hoses and remove the hoses from the radiator, then undo the four bolts (7/16af spanner required) then the radiator will lift out leaving the cowling in place...

:tongue: nick can you take the 998 out of the mini which we are going to put the turbo engine in before i come down (read my post to find out why) :sad:

[andyps]

I know what you mean

Took mine out last week to change my speedo cable, took me about 1h to get the Radiator out (Had to grind 2 bolts off) , then i spent another 2h trying to get the speedo cable off,

I still havnt got the speedo cable off, i'm gonna try to get it off again on sunday

Cheers

If the speedo cable is really stuck, take off the flange it mounts on, along with the cable and then separate them. Much easier that way.

[Brawlyrox]

the cowling is too rusty to keep, need the new 1 on there! and the radiator bolts are stuck solid... ahhh fun!

[Prawn]

are u keeping the rad as well???
if not as a last resort you could always try putting a cros bar down the sides of the rad to break it free, then lever teh rad out, that way u will knacker the rad, but once the rads out itll be so much easier to remove the cowling....

what car is this on nick? the blue one or the new deseamed one? if its teh deseamed one, try taking the front off (its a flip isnt it?) then just cut it off

[Brawlyrox]

this is on the blue 1 , a crowbar 2moro is the next try!