Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

I need to replace a bunch of my cooling system but struggling to determine which parts I need as it seems like the current system is a bit of a hybrid system with a late header tank so some help would be appreciated as well as some of the parts seemingly costing five or so times the price for an early part. This then begs the question of whether it's worth converting to a late cooling system, and whether that would actually be more cost effective if its easy enough to do? Any advice appreciated.


From looking with my minimal knowledge it seems like its just the header tank thats been replaced? 

Looks similar to mine apart from a few pipes, does the pipe at the top of the header tank lead to the top up tank, or is it obscured by the engine bay.

TONYT25T25 wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 18:14 Looks similar to mine apart from a few pipes, does the pipe at the top of the header tank lead to the top up tank, or is it obscured by the engine bay.

Yep it leads straight into the top up tank.

Its fine as it is. The late system, in my opinion, is no better than early system.
You will be surprised what parts are involved swapping to a late cooling system.

And why do you say late header tank. Yes there is a difference between late and early. But if it is working fine then leave it alone.

What bits do you need to replace, at some stage I will have to bite the bullet and replace the plastic pipes in mine or repair them as the feed pipe end to the radiator hose has a slight leak.

maxstu wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 18:30 And why do you say late header tank. Yes there is a difference between late and early. But if it is working fine then leave it alone.

Late header tank as I believe the early was a different design with a metal cap on

TONYT25T25 wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 18:38 What bits do you need to replace, at some stage I will have to bite the bullet and replace the plastic pipes in mine or repair them as the feed pipe end to the radiator hose has a slight leak.

Thermostat housing, pipe leading on from water pump to cylinder head and a few bits around these and then will end up replacing water pump and thermostat whilst I'm at it before replacing the pipes leading into the radiator as well as the radiator itself

The water pump was the first job I had to do shortly after buying mine as it started to leak, get some plus gas as some of the bolts are stiff and in my case required an allen key, you will also have to take the pulley off but lots of videos and advice available for this, my radiator looks a bit ropey but not leaking, when I eventually get around to that area I will probably start with the dismantling process and then order what I need to replace, and hope it is in stock.

jamesling wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 18:42

maxstu wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 18:30 And why do you say late header tank. Yes there is a difference between late and early. But if it is working fine then leave it alone.

Late header tank as I believe the early was a different design with a metal cap on

TONYT25T25 wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 18:38 What bits do you need to replace, at some stage I will have to bite the bullet and replace the plastic pipes in mine or repair them as the feed pipe end to the radiator hose has a slight leak.

Early and late have different outlet diameters. But still blue cap. Also you will need distribution tower, engine supply ring and back to front metal pipe..

Stay with early. Ive owned both versions. Early is easier.

Looks to me like it’s all early early cooling system apart from you have a late early diesel header tank .
early cooling systems are ok , but if the metal crossover pipe fails they are very hard to get hold of and are stupidly expensive if you can find one . 
for a long while thermoses housings and water pumps were unavailable , but are now ok to get . 

Mocki wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 19:16 metal crossover pipe fails they are very hard to get hold of and are stupidly expensive if you can find one .  . 

Agree. Yet couldnt sell a good one for more than 20 quid recently. And lve yet to sell a perfect early thermostat housing for low ££'s.

Mocki wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 19:16 Looks to me like it’s all early early cooling system apart from you have a late early diesel header tank .
early cooling systems are ok , but if the metal crossover pipe fails they are very hard to get hold of and are stupidly expensive if you can find one .
for a long while thermoses housings and water pumps were unavailable , but are now ok to get .

Cheers for the help!
I'm presuming the metal crossover pipes being the ones going from back to front and vice versa? If so luckily mine are in pretty good shape!

maxstu wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 20:20

Mocki wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 19:16 metal crossover pipe fails they are very hard to get hold of and are stupidly expensive if you can find one . .

Agree. Yet couldnt sell a good one for more than 20 quid recently. And lve yet to sell a perfect early thermostat housing for low ££'s.

Are you selling that thermostat housing still? If so, I'd be interested in buying!

TONYT25T25 wrote: ↑03 Sep 2021, 18:50 The water pump was the first job I had to do shortly after buying mine as it started to leak, get some plus gas as some of the bolts are stiff and in my case required an allen key, you will also have to take the pulley off but lots of videos and advice available for this, my radiator looks a bit ropey but not leaking, when I eventually get around to that area I will probably start with the dismantling process and then order what I need to replace, and hope it is in stock.

Thank you Tony, that's useful details to know! One man's struggle will hopefully help another's be less so!