Cabrio Radiator Confusion

I need to replace my radiator folks but all sales sources i am looking at suggest a larger rad than i have today ..

The common suggestion is for my car (a H Reg 1.8 Cabrio, carb, non AC) from VW Heritage is 321-121-253/AL which has a 525mm x 322mm core.

From GSF its AVAVNA 2045 which is again same core as the VW Heritage one.. So both sources suggest I should have a larger core ?

My core however is 430mm x 325mm which when i search it on GSF, comes back as AVANVA2024 and this is listed as the rad for the 1.6 cabby.

Soooo - do i :

- But the 1.6 Rad and accept its a direct swap
Or
- Buy the larger rad (which i assume should fit albeit will be closer to the battery box, assuming i keep hose end mounted in same position it'll push extra length to battery box direction).. but then i'll also need a new fan cowl and my current one obviously will be too small to mount up.

Random related question - how do i actually confirm i have the 1.8 rather than the 1.6 ?
Its registered as a 1.8, but doesnt mean it hasnt been changed i guess.

Any help appreciated..



 

Ok quick update .. I have an EX engine so 1.8 …

So has anyone else seen this smaller rad from a 1.6 fitted to a 1.8 before .?

I guess my primary question above remains - swap like for like or fit the larger 1.8 rad ? (Plus new fan cowl etc)

My 1987 1.8 EX is the shorter 430. Note when I was looking some rads have a 20mm(?) depth (when looking from above) but yours looks the more standard 34mm.

Think the confusion is the MK2 hatch/later Mk1 Cabrio one where ther are the same year Golf but different vehicles?

When I was looking for another radiator, I opted for a aluminum one. The core was Thicker and a tad longer than what my 1.8 2h  a/c required.

I had to modify my brackets a wee bit and grind down the Bosses on the front side (had the ability to mount the fans or different ones on the front side) so that I would fit to my a/c condenser correctly.  My Fan should fit correctly on the back side with no modification, but then again if yours is shorter in width you could mount it to the radiator by making a aluminum shield and a couple ot speed or rive nuts to bind it to the core.

I had lower temps with the larger core thickness.



It wasn't that much more than a plastic tanked unit, and it was one of the last plastic parts on my ride.
On my 81 Diesel with a/c my original core leaked after 20102 miles, 102 miles over warranty.  I found a Brass and copper one for less
and that one lasted 19 years when I sold the car.



 

Early-1800 said

My 1987 1.8 EX is the shorter 430. Note when I was looking some rads have a 20mm(?) depth (when looking from above) but yours looks the more standard 34mm.

Think the confusion is the MK2 hatch/later Mk1 Cabrio one where ther are the same year Golf but different vehicles?

Brilliant thanks for confirming …

I've just ordered the 430mm core rad from classicvw- very reasonable price too !!!

Briano1234 said

When I was looking for another radiator, I opted for a aluminum one. The core was Thicker and a tad longer than what my 1.8 2h  a/c required.

I had to modify my brackets a wee bit and grind down the Bosses on the front side (had the ability to mount the fans or different ones on the front side) so that I would fit to my a/c condenser correctly.  My Fan should fit correctly on the back side with no modification, but then again if yours is shorter in width you could mount it to the radiator by making a aluminum shield and a couple ot speed or rive nuts to bind it to the core.

I had lower temps with the larger core thickness.



It wasn't that much more than a plastic tanked unit, and it was one of the last plastic parts on my ride.
On my 81 Diesel with a/c my original core leaked after 20102 miles, 102 miles over warranty.  I found a Brass and copper one for less
and that one lasted 19 years when I sold the car.



 

Must admit the alum rads are things of beauty

I'd make sure you have the card ducts/shrouds on top and side. Think somewhere on the forum are plans so you can make your own.

https://www.cabby-info.com/cooling.htm#Baffles