[Healeys] Radiator

[Len and/or Marge Hartnett]

It finally happened. At 191,835 miles, HBJ8L39031 became acquainted with a tow
truck for the first time. Technically, it was not a Healey failure. The
culprit was the Hayden flex fan. The tow was for about two and a half miles to
a radiator shop thankfully open on a Saturday.
Two miles after leaving the motel in Aberdeen, WA, we heard a 'bang'. I
thought it was a backfire as the engine was not fully warmed up. The engine
then started running roughly so my son thought a spark plug might have blown
out of the head. We got the car to the side of the road and upon opening the
hood, discovered antifreeze all over the engine compartment. We considered a
blown hose, a blown water pump or a blown header or bottom tank. Thankfully,
we had stopped in front of a Peterbuilt truck maintenance facility. Since it
was raining, we were looking for shelter for the car and found it in back of
the building. We found a hose at the wash area that reached the car and
proceeded to fill the radiator. That is when we discovered water was pouring
out of the radiator about one third up from the bottom. The radiator had been
sliced open.

Further examination revealed that a piece of the fan had come off and damaged
the radiator, cut the top hose, left a scar on the steering box, and hit the
radiator shroud leaving it hanging by a piece of solder. Thankfully, no damage
had been done to any of the hydraulic lines, hood, or fenders.

While waiting for the tow truck, my son and I removed the radiator and the
fan. The radiator shop was able to solder the 15 tubes that were cut that
allowed us to proceed home, another 760 miles. With the repaired radiator and
no fan, we made it home without further incident. Engine temperatures ran from
190 degrees in the cool morning to 212 degrees during the higher temperatures
down I-5 and the Sacramento Valley rising only when climbing hills. Engine
temperature never reached the 230 degree mark until we reached Vacaville and
had to slow to navigate some back roads to reach our homes. Here I am thankful
for the electric fan that is installed in front of my radiator. Engine temps
were a little lower with the fan running and when the gauge pegged, I was able
to cool the engine down within a few minutes by cooling the water in the
radiator and then moving it to the engine. Three or four times are all that
are needed to get temp down to about 190 and back on the road.

So, I am thankful that we broke down close to a repair facility, no damage was
done to prevent travel, the electric fan was a blessing, and we only lost five
hours of driving time.

?https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4h2vsmb3a2tiaz8/f3TDmnMU_P