Skoda Rally Blog

So, last time out, I’d just discovered that the Ibiza’s current radiator was much smaller than it should be.  A bit of time spent looking on various online catalogues only increased the mystery, however, as the standard size of the radiator wasn’t immediately obvious – there were a few different sizes listed by manufacturers, some different by car spec, others just different anyway – for the same year and spec of car, the sizes were different!  Looking on VAG-CAT (a site with original microfiche info on it) opened the can of worms further as it listed even more sizes, one of which was very much larger than the current one.  The front end of N194 DKE has been modified with a support bar for the radiator, so I’m not sure how it would have originally sat, but I found one of the largest size radiators on eBay for only £40, so I thought I’d order it and see what gives – it’s not the end of the world if I can’t make it fit – and this thinking was reinforced by the quotes I had for bespoke radiators which were around the £500 mark.  As a wise rally bod said to me – “That’s OK, but you need two as if one breaks you’re stuck”, and with that in mind, I think modifying the car to suit a standard rad is a better idea, especially if they are £40 a throw.  I had worried that a wider radiator will obscure the oil cooler, but even the new, massive one doesn’t do this – the end tank is slightly in front of the edge of the oil cooler, nothing more.  The bar that supports the radiator will need to be made again, but that’s OK as a) it’s a simple piece of steel tube with flat brackets on and b) it’s bent anyway.

Anyway, that’s about as much as I’m capable of this weekend, I’ve had flu (yes, proper flu!) all week, and feel as weak as a kitten, so here’s a picture of little and large to be going on with.  Next weekend, with any luck, I’ll get the engine out and get to the gearbox at long last!

Big rad, little rad!