Radiator New / Recon

[class-ified]

Took the radiator out, looks very shook. Holding water but the fins are dropping out left, right and centre.

 

Been offered a brand new Radtec racing pinto radiator, stant cap, fan and inline switch gear for 200 euro from the fella that sold me the 1300cc mark II escort.

 

Is a radiator of this cooling capacity asking for trouble on such a small engine, was thinking i'd use only glycol (anti freeze) instead of water glycol mix to lower the cooling capacity, obstruct a section of the fins to reduce the convective area, use flexible hose to make connections or modify the connections.

 

It'll cost the same to recon the radiator i currently have and buy a fan kit.

 

Am I right to see this as a future proof sweet deal or are there any catches? Are standard radiator still effective less a significant number of fins.

 

Is it possible to fit these radiators without cutting the radiator shroud top and bottom?

[Vista]

Providing you have a working thermostat fitted it should regulate your engine temperature at the desired value regardless of radiator size.

 

If however your engine ran fine without overheating problems with the standard rad and you're not planning any significant engine upgrades then I'd be tempted to stick with a recore on your rad. You could always go for a better quality core?