The current freezing weather has reminded me that although I have to cover half the radiator at this moment to get the temperature up, once the weather warms 90 Kph equals 90° which is too hot for a Lambda. So I had should rectify the problem before the currently remote possibility of warm weather arises.
I have pulled the radiator out (just 3 nuts plus loosening hoses) and have sent it off to be checked out. Like a fair few things on my car the radiator had been modified, this was done to aid removal, however in doing so it’s ended up with a right angled bottom radiator hose and it’s not reinforced with a spring so maybe it’s being sucked flat at high revs? The Lambda water pump is renowned for being overly efficient so the optimist in me is thinking that maybe something this simple could be the problem.
Of course taking out the radiator is just an entrée to:
- Rod or re-core radiator
- New fan bearings.
- Replace radiator brace with something more substantial (thanks Simmo).
- Straighten badge although my car may be unrecognisable afterwards.
- Replace bonnet tape.
- Contemplate once more boring a steam hole in the Lancia’s head.
- plus 10 others not related to the radiator like resetting the rear springs etc.
The Alex Bryce Rally is late September but I’m away for a few weeks so I had better get my skates on, or I might just put another log on the fire and dodge the issue for a few more days.
