Reply to "Who's Installed A Fluidyne Radiator???"

JHarris:

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I've been trying to hunt down the receipt without any luck. As I recall it was under $500.00, however, the problem I'm running into now is that despite the lower price from Summit, I'm spending more as I scramble around to get all the little stuff together.
As I stated in a previous post, I'm now forced to install it in a laydown position because of the need to use copper elbows as per Jack's advice. That of course means I can't use my pusher fans, so I had to buy a set of "puller" or "sucker" fans ($205 + S&H from Summit).
The other problem is that the bungs on the radiator don't fit the stock temp switches. A call to Marino at Pantera east resulted in a story about how he doesn't sell aluminum radiators because they crack after a few years (has anyone else heard of this?), and how he knows a Pantera guy who has five of them sitting on a shelf unable to be repaired, so no, he doesn't have the switches to fit. Fluidyne ain't got no stinking switches, so it's Sherlock Holmes time again.
Larry at Pantera Parts Connection has them for $25 apiece. "Fine, okay, send them". While on the phone with Larry, I was explaining the problem with the 1-1/2" nipples on the radiator and the need to do a laydown installation because of the copper elbows etc., and he acted surprised at that because his Fluidyne radiators have 1-3/8" nipples (he also didn't understand the whole copper elbow scenario because he has 90 degree bent hoses that enable you to install Fluidyne radiators in an upright position. I chose not to go into the whole Gates Green Stripe hose vs. molded hose debate with him on the phone).
So why does Fluidyne allegedly put 1-3/8" nipples on some of its Pantera radiators and 1-1/2" on others???
Mysteries sure do have a way of multiplying with these cars and these parts vendors.
My advice: buy a whole kit (radiator, fans, switches, grommets, hoses, etc.) from you favorite Pantera vendor before you try to save money by shopping around for the best prices on individual pieces.

Eric

[This message has been edited by ETolnes (edited 05-10-2004).]

[This message has been edited by ETolnes (edited 05-10-2004).]

[This message has been edited by ETolnes (edited 05-10-2004).]