Radiator Modifications and Options

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First a discussion of the way the 2.8 V6 is designed to flow coolant:

When the engine is below operating temperature, coolant is circulated from the thermostat housing, through the water pump and distributed to both sides of the engine block.  The water pump is bolted to the timing cover which forms the interface for the engine cooling passages.  Coolant flows through the block, through the cylinder heads, then through the intake manifold where the temperature sender is located.  A bypass port on the intake manifold and a rubber bypass hose allow the coolant to circulate through the engine until enough heat is built up to allow the thermostat to open.  When the thermostat opens, coolant is introduced from the bottom of the radiator through the thermostat housing and into the water pump inlet which pushes the heated coolant out the top of the intake manifold and back to the radiator.  The bypass path is necessary to prevent water pump cavitation and to ensure equal heat distribution within the engine block.

Thermostat housing:
Bypass Housing:
Intake Coolant housing:

Alpine Radiators

Radiators vary between the series Alpines, and none of the stock configurations are adequate for cooling the 2.8 V6.  The earlier series Alpines used cross-flow design while the later series used vertical flow.  All came out stock with a two row core. The earlier series used overflow tanks.

Alpine filler necks are a little deeper than modern cooling systems making it difficult to match late model caps.
Radiator cap:

Modification to Stock Radiator

Your stock radiator can be re-cored to a three row, however finding a shop to work with copper radiators is a little more of a challenge than it was a few years ago.  In addition to re-coring the radiator, the inlet and outlets of the radiator need to be relocated.
Modern radiators are mostly plastic and Aluminum.  Ask around for the old timer shops and expect to pay around $400 for materials and labor.

The coolant output of the 2.8 motor is at the top center of the intake manifold with the stock housing pointing to the front right, and the input is at the lower left at the thermostat housing.  It may be advisable to get your engine installed to help identify exactly the angle necessary to align the hoses.

One hose that can be used for both upper and lower on the Series V is a Gates #22960.  Cut the hose to the necessary length first for the upper hose, then the lower hose.




Rear view of modified radiator

The radiator inlet is relocated to the upper right corner
while the outlet is relocated to the lower left corner



Bottom view of modified radiator

Aftermarket - Aluminum Radiators

Aftermarket radiators today are almost always aluminum, and almost all aluminum radiators are cross-flow design.  Installing one of these requires a certain level of customization by the fabricator or someone that is accomplished with welding aluminum.

Details of successful installations coming soon.