308 QV Radiator | FerrariChat

308 QV Radiator

Discussion in '308/328' started by jimmyp11, May 5, 2022.

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  1. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
    149
    Port Charlotte FL
    Full Name:
    jim patterson
    I may be in need of a 308 QV Radiator. The current one is weeping around the top seams. Not bad but a bit concerning. It is the original so . . . I did read previous threads and most are using local radiator shops to re-core the factory unit. Well, here in SWFL I'm not sure who I trust, so what are the 2022 choices for just buying a new one? I did see mention of Nick Forza? Anyone else on where to get a new alternative?

    I'd rather get a drop in replacement, I'm not set up for fabrication. Any good links on getting the radiator out? I think I remember seeing birdman had something on bleeding the system?

    Thanks
    jim
     
  2. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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  3. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
    149
    Port Charlotte FL
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    jim patterson
    I do have another question now that I'm in radiator examination mode. When up to temp and sitting idle in garage should both fans be running? Seems just the drivers side fan runs. If you turn on the a/c the passenger side fan runs, but with no a/c just the driver side fan. Seems like both should be running?
     
  4. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Common common common common

    When I bought mine in 97 it leaked. It was repaired. It leaked again, repaired again. The one day on the way to work, coolant was actually blowing on my windshield thru the hood vents (it's a QV).

    I put one of those oversized aluminum ones in.
     
  5. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    that is how it is wired from the factory

    I jumped mine so they both come on now.
     
  6. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
    149
    Port Charlotte FL
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    jim patterson
    Yeah I read something about jumping them, but someone said its too much current on the one circuit and you should use a relay. Not sure if thats true or not, or I assume it only needs one going?

    It normally runs a tick below 195 on the dash temp gauge. If you have to sit for some extended time it will start to creep above 195. Not sure of thats normal or along with a leaking seam on the radiator its also a bit clogged?
     
  7. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
    149
    Port Charlotte FL
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    jim patterson
    So I have now read conflicting articles, some say one fan comes on at the temp switch of around 190-195, others say both fans turn on? Can anyone confirm or deny on a 1984 308 QV?
     
  8. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, May 5, 2022
    Last edited: May 5, 2022
    The fan switch kicks them on about 195. BTW, it is the SAME two pole switch used in a 1980 VW Rabbit etc. Not similar - SAME.

    I jumped them on my 84 in the fall of 1997. I live in the south and I have put about 70,000 miles on it during these past 25 years. Lots of HARD track days and getting stuck in Atlanta traffic on 90 degree afternoons. I put a 180 degree switch (or something around that number) in there at the same time. It was an aftermarket VW part.

    I'm not making any claims here. I am simply reporting that both my fans come on 15ish degrees sooner than stock and pretty much run continuously and have been doing so in the deep south climate for a quarter century and 70,000 miles without a single problem on the circuit. Never. None. Zero.
     
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  9. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
    149
    Port Charlotte FL
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    jim patterson
    No I completely get what your saying. I was just curious if from the factory they both are "supposed" to come on or just one. I'm here in sw FL and its hot so I agree, both probably need to come on. I'm just wondering if I have an electrical issue with only one coming on or is that the way its "supposed" to be.

    jim
     
  10. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    I am 99.9% certain one comes on until you switch on the a/c, then both blow
     
  11. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
    149
    Port Charlotte FL
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    jim patterson
    BTW - on the 180 switch, you are speaking of the one one in the lower radiator corner? Do they make different temps for that switch? I assume so since you found a 180?
     
  12. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
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    jim patterson
    Yes, the passenger comes on with A/C for sure. But no A/C the driver is the only one to come on
     
  13. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Sounds right.

    BTW, in case you don't already know this, the QV model's cooling system was a tad under-engineered from the factory. They just tend to run on the warmer side which Ferrari cleared up with the 328 model. You are going to see your needle swing to the right more than straight down down there in Florida.
     
  14. robertcope

    robertcope Formula Junior
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  15. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 Steve Magnusson, May 5, 2022
    Last edited: May 5, 2022
    Both radiator fans should come "on" when the thermoswitch in the radiator closes (i.e., coolant hot). If your RH radiator fan doesn't run when the water temp is hot and the AC is "off" (but does run when you turn the AC "on"):

    1. Try a different ...113 relay in the relay C position "relay for right radiator fan". If no joy,

    2. Check that you have two large V (green) wires connected to the bottom of fuse #17 and that both are at +12V (they should be even with the key "off", but best to make this measurement when the coolant is hot and both fans should be running -- i.e., under load). One of these green wires goes to relay C to be the +12V power source to run the RH radiator fan when the coolant is hot, and the other one goes to Relay D, "relay for radiator right fan with operating air conditioner", to be the +12V power source to run the RH radiator fan when the AC is turned "on".
     
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  16. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Yes. Bottom passenger side.

    The lower temp thing was just something I knew about since I grew up driving a Scirocco. I had all the catalogs. It was an aftermarket thing like stiffer springs, larger throttle bodies, etc.

    But that was 25 -35 years ago. I wouldn't even know where to look for one today. I put it on my QV to see if it would run cooler but it didn't.
     
  17. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
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    jim patterson
    Thanks Steve. I will try 1 and 2 later tonight. Correct, my RH fan will not run when temp is hot. It will run if I turn on the AC. Is That relay one that can be found at NAPA or swapped with another for testing?
     
  18. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
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    jim patterson
  19. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Both. For the test, just temporarily borrow another one with the same part number from some other function (like the horn relay or the window motor relay). If you do need a new relay, it's a very common auto relay that any auto parts store should be able to match up. I believe the metal case Bosch relays are now unobtanium so today's Bosch (or TE connectivity) equivalent would be a little different appearing (plastic case), but other brands, like Standard, are readily available, too. My notes have:

    Ferrari 40130007
    Bosch 0332014113 (metal case) = Bosch 0332019151 (black plastic case) = Tyco V23234-C0001-X006 (brownish orange plastic case)
     
  20. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
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    Port Charlotte FL
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    jim patterson

    Your help is MOST appreciated! It was the relay, swapped with horn and now both fans run. I'll get a new relay so I can honk at people.

    Thanks again for the help. And it appears if I do need a new radiator (although sounds like I might be able to solder the seam) the consensus is Nick's aluminum radiator.

    jim
     
  21. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Glad that it was a simple fix for you.

    For the aluminum radiator, another source that has come up here before is Wizard Cooling:

    https://wizardcooling.com/c-1391450-radiators-ferrari.html

    Couldn't find any product/pricing information on the NFF website, but at least you'll have two sources to compare.
     
  22. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
    149
    Port Charlotte FL
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    jim patterson
    Thanks!
     
  23. kcabpilot

    kcabpilot Formula 3

    Apr 17, 2014
    1,597
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    I got a radiator from Nick's Forza, it's fabricated by Wizard so same thing as linked above. Aluminum radiators are much lighter but have to be about an inch thicker than the equivalent copper radiator to achieve the same performance. They are notched at the ends of the lower section so they will fit into the existing mounts without modifying anything. I replaced the original fans at the same time with some more modern ones that have built in shrouds but I'm pretty sure you can use the originals if you want. If so it might be advisable to replace the bearings or bushings.
     
  24. jimmyp11

    jimmyp11 Karting

    Dec 25, 2019
    149
    Port Charlotte FL
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    jim patterson
    You know funny thing is I have had this 308 down here in Southwest Fl for about 4 years. Never had an issue with overheating until this relay killed my second fan and caused the temps to creep up. But when working correctly I think the 308 getsa bad name on the cooling. While not the best by any means and modern standards I've never had an issue . . . .

    Hope I didn't just curse myself
     
  25. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    It's quirky

    Some seem more prone than others and it appears to only be the QV model. If I get caught in stop and go traffic on the highway I start getting really concerned watching that needle. Typical driving is just not an issue. Neither is the track in Aug.

    Weird, but I have learned to make it work.
     
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