The journey of restoring my kit car continues, and now it’s time to dive into the cooling system. Let me tell you, rust is everywhere, welding parts together like a reluctant marriage! I never imagined how heavy the rubber pipes could be, but with thick rust lining them, they felt like lead weights.
And then there was the coolant… brown and muddy, reminiscent of something you’d find in a forgotten garden. It took an astonishing 70 litres of distilled water and over ten flushes to clear out all that rust. It was a labour-intensive process, but I was determined to restore this system to its former glory.
Needless to say, I had to bid farewell to all the rubber hoses and replace them with brand new ones. I also discovered that the block thermostat was in rough shape. The bleeding hole? Completely welded shut by rust. I tried to save some money by refurbishing parts that could be salvaged, while anything perished had to go.
Interestingly, I found that the paper gasket of the thermostat had properties strikingly similar to rubber. It was black, stretchy, and could return to its original shape! To add to the fun, the cooling fan was toast and completely rusted out. I replaced it with a push-pull 12″ fan mounted directly to the radiator—definitely a more reliable setup.
As I continue this journey, I’m reminded that restoration isn’t just about fixing things; it’s about learning along the way. Here’s to hoping the cooling system will soon be running smoothly—stay tuned for more updates!
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