Pulling things apart in the front of the engine bay as part of a few projects. Got the rad out and took my first real good look at it. Yuck. The car doesn't overheat, but has been getting rising temps (as measured on stock guage) the last few drives. I have a loose yoohoo belt, so that may also contribute to the temps. Anyway, the fins are gone from much of the lower 5th of the rad. I know this is something I need to replace eventually but I have some other stuff I need worse, like tires. Anyone seen anything like this? How much longer did it last?

 

That's pretty grody, dude. VB has brand new upgrade 3 row only 200 bucks.

 

ive got a radiator ill sell you for 30 plus shipping, came out of my perfectly running 81 that the temp gauge never rose over 1/8th of the gauge

 

i need a 3 row....where can i get one for $200 grimes?

 

VB is Vitoria British

http://www.victoriabritish.com/Mazda_cat_page.htm

You need to order the free catalogue to 'see' what you order.

 

Radiator.com $149 delivered.

 

For a new 3 row ??? Hmmmm.

 

Tall rad vs short?

 

It was the price he quoted me for my 85 GSL-SE! Lifetime warrenty.

 

yea, the site john said is good, iirc i got my short 3 row for $120 off www.radiatorsexpress.com and its worked out fine. Oh, and that radiator isn't *that* bad, you need a new one, but it should work out for a while...

 

That's the feedback I was looking for. I gather I'm not in imminent danger, so I'll spend this month's budget on other necessities.

 

Be careful when you talk about cooling on a rotary. All it takes is one overheat and the engine is shot. My advice is invest in the rad now.. Buy cheap 30,000 mile tires for now and fix the cooling system.. JMTC

 

You can always drive a little slower, and the tires and crap will be OK, but one good overheat, and your problem just gained a couple of thousand for a rebuild. The radiator is or primo importance.

kenn

 

i'm still on stock radiator. just removed the thermostat so coolant constantly flows.. and the gauge temp. never goes up past the 2nd bar. so it's always way past below the middle.

it gets me worried though since the stock electrical temperature gauge isn't very reliable; so i get worried once in awhile, either to think that my motor is really running wayyy below normal temps., or the stock temp. gauge has just become inaccurate. i will get an autometer mechanical temp. gauge after the holidays

btw, so who else runs their car w/o the thermostat?

 

i ve heared not to run without thermostat unless you are hot climates.

 

Its suggested that you don't run an open t-stat. As for the rad if you can only spend money on one thing go for the tires. If you see the gauge start to rise stop driving immediatly, don't let it overheat. Just my $.02

 

live in CA, but temps. are never harsh throughout the year.

i think by eliminating the thermostat, it's one less thing to worry about especially if you're STILL RUNNING the stock 1st. generation temperature gauge; the reliability of the 20 yr. old temperature gauge becomes highly questionable.

solution: 1 autometer mechanical temperature gauge.
until then, i won't be running a thermostat since it hasn't shown any visible or noticeable problem.
the mid east and east coast fellas will be needing a thermostat though since they do live in "snow" during winter time

 

Thermostats aren't only used to heat the coolant for winter climates. They are designed to give the coolant enough time to cool in the radiator before flowing back to the engine. If the coolant is not slowed down, you are constantly attempting to cool a hot engine with warmer coolant than designed for. This could lead to potential problems. I, personally, wouldn't run without one. If you do, be very dilligent that your coolant mixtures are accurate and your guage is working properly. Good luck.