Could someone advise me on later (fluted radiator) XK140 bottom hose and pipe suppliers? I have the metal pipe C7547 and the rubber hose set from Coventry Auto. The metal pipe is unfortunately nowhere near the shape of the original, see photo. Also the Coventry rubber pipes, especially the 90deg with the long leg that attaches to the steel pipe on the side of the engine block, are 2mm bigger ID than the OD of the steel pipe. No clamp is going to hold that on.
Who makes the best fit for these parts - anyone in the UK, or best to get from the US?
On my 150 I needed a replacement metal pipe. I managed to get a good original with brass tap from Tom Kent XK spares specialist. The rubber hoses from Cov Auto fitted perfectly
Interesting - the lower hose that came in my new hose kit that connects the lower connection on the water pump to the pipe under the front crossmember is straight, but with the new pipe it has to bend through 45Ė, which kinks it. Maybe the rubber hose is incorrect? If the old metal pipe is wrong, I canāt imagine what it came from. More investigation requiredā¦
edit - I wonder if thereās difference between early/late XK140? The radiator is different - my car was built in June 1955 and has a fluted radiator, so the later type, I think. I believe the build date is very close to that particular change point. None of the suppliers point to a different pipe option, though.
Mine is a late 57 build. Totally original but tired car. I have new hoses from Coventry and will see if they fit the lower pipe for you. The less curved pipe fits to the chassis with two factory correct clamps. One is straight and the other angles. But again my new one is identical to the original in all respects.
Just checked. My CAC hoses fit both ends of the new metal pipe. The ribbed one is straight and the other end is a 90 degree bend. I canāt check the manifold as itās off getting vapor blasted
The lower pipe as fitted to my 140 OTS currently shows a bend of 65 degrees. I do not recognize the expanded pipe end. My hose is straight. In the past I have had trouble with the hose ribs too close to the crank damper. Some hoses recently sold for this have ribs at both ends. I can only fit the end w/o ribs near the damper. The bend of the pipe will control the as fitted shape of the hose. I have the later fluted radiator.
Hi Rogerā¦do you have a parts catalogueā¦were there different part numbers for the bottom radiator pipe across the models/chassis number?..and the same for the hosesā¦as you sayā¦there were different radiatorsā¦parts catalogue should be your first port of callā¦Steve
Thanks all for the responses - I need to measure some angles and look at some books. Iām pretty sure the parts book has just one diagram with one part number, but Iāll check and report back.
C7547 fits all models FHC, DHC, OTS. In your case DHC LHD (originally) #817001 onwards. I had a spare which was considerably better than the one on the car they both measure 65* angle and a slightly expanded end at the coolant pump end approximately 2ā (50mm) long.
Thanks Jim, yes, just checked the books I have and thereās only one. I have some sort of parts mismatch here, I think.
The vertical rubber hose that attaches to the water pump has two ribs at one end, and one rib at the other. According to the CAC diagram, this hose is 38mm at one end and 40mm at the other. If the metal pipe bends up at 65Ė and lies horizontal under the frame, this hose needs to bend 25Ė. If that is all correct, there is a problem as the hose supplied is not long enough.
Just measured the parts I have, and have found that the original factory metal pipe is cranked at 65Ė, whereas the replacement modern part is at 45Ė. It therefore sits lower, which is why the rubber hose wonāt reach, and makes a 45Ė angle for the hose to bend, which is why it kinks.
Another example of a repro part that isnāt made properly. Bought too long ago and now painted so I canāt return it, unfortunately. I need to have a word with Stuart at CAC!
Hi Rogerā¦I still question is your āoriginal factoryā pipe actually an original factory pipe has anyone confirmed that they have the same pipeā¦others above have said that their āoriginalā pipe is the same as your new black pipeā¦Steve
I donāt think they have, Steve - the new pipe I have has a 45Ė bend in it. Others have noted a 65Ė bend, which would make all the difference. Thatās what my old pipe has. Itās pretty rusty, the correct shape and Iām sure itās original. This car was put away in a Sacramento garage in 1983 and not moved until 2016, with 77K on the clock.
A new lower metal hose C7547 arrived this morning from NAR. It errs from the original in being made of thick-walled aluminium, with properly formed beads at both ends to aid hose retention, otherwise it is correct and fits perfectly. The angle is 65Ė, and it is powder coated black. It has the correct threaded boss for the drain tap. Very good company, and quick service.
Just ordered a new NAR black ppc C7547 today - I liked Rogerās review so I felt confident. It was cheap at Ā£30 but the VAT and shipping nearly doubled that price.
Fingers crossed it is correct geometry. I doo not have the original and felt it would be mad to use a second hand, probably rusty inside, 70 year old part for such a crucial water circuit junction.
You should find it is good, Geoffrey. My original was thin and very rusty, and I tried a āgood used oneā from a supplier - it was too rotten to fit as well. The NAR part is very nice, in my opinion.
Ah yes the joys of repro parts.
This is one of the 1000 or more parts I have made over the years for myself and for sale and in fact had 2 of these made just a couple of weeks ago.
Firstly you get to make the part correctly and then
paint properly or finish properly.
The interesting thing is both original and repro are missing the tag for bolting it to the chassis!
I donāt recall seeing a pipe with a tag on it for a 140, C8025, C8026 clips & 2- C8027 rubber isolators to secure it to the chassis. Plate AE Spare Parts Catalogue.
