what rads fit in an mk1?

[junn1227]

My first attempt was not as successful as I had thought.     My question is primarily regarding the lower hose.  I used the mk2 lower hose and here is the issue:

1.) The hose is touching the lower alternator bracket.

2.) The hose is very close to the alternator belt.

3.) The hose may be slightly short.  I had to literally stretch the rubber to get it on the waterpump.

The radiator is off a 92 gti 8v with ac.  The radiator was installed identical to how it is pictured in the earlier post.  What kind of hose did you guys use?  Thanks for the help!

Here's how it worked out for me, as I had basically the same problem: I ended up using hose 533 121 051 A. The other one that GB mentions wasn't long enough to work on my car(might work on yours, don't know exactly what you have). I had to cut a little bit off the water pump end to get it to reach the radiator connection. It's a very tight fit.... You can see in the pics the clearance between the alternator fan and hose is only about a 1/2 inch. You can also see the alternator body to radiator clearance is pretty close as well. The alternator does run through it's full travel when it's loose without ever hitting the hose, so even if it were to come loose I don't think it would chew it up. The fan belt pulley has a little more clearance since it sits up a little higher. I wouldn't have minded putting the radiator a little more over to the passenger side, but when I tried that the fan shroud hit the back of the alternator, so right where I've got it is about my only option. I was a little worried that the engine might rock back and forth under load and cause some problems, but it's been in and running for about 100 miles so far and no problems yet. I also cut out the slats in my grill to get full flow through the radiator, as part of it was blocked off due to the narrower stock radiator. Jig saw with a metal cutting blade whipped it right out. Sorry the pictures from below suck... I had to hold the camera right on the floor to take those so I couldn't tell exactly where it was aimed. Also for reference the radiator I just put in was 675mm (26 5/8") core width, and 768mm (30 1/4") overall width.

Thanks for the information!  I'm expecting the lower rad hose (533 121 051A) to arrive middle of this week.  I'll post results later this week.  Again, thanks for the help!

[GEE-BEE]

P-seal lookks good

You can also grind off the old MK1 center fan shroud  u clip mount if you wish

I had the same problem with being very close, I had the original ( non roller tensioner )serp belt alternator
bracket that sat lower as yours does also.

I went to the a/c type bracket and the alternator sit's much higher

I do like your rad bracket's

GB

[Rabbit79]

P-seal lookks good

You can also grind off the old MK1 center fan shroud  u clip mount if you wish

I had the same problem with being very close, I had the original ( non roller tensioner )serp belt alternator
bracket that sat lower as yours does also.

I went to the a/c type bracket and the alternator sit's much higher

I do like your rad bracket's

GB

I just couldn't make those MK2 style brackets work unless I wanted to leave the hood rod flopping around, so that's what I came up with.... They're actually much more solid than the MK2 style. I rigged up the grill so I could get it off from the outside without having to mess around with those funky stock clips, that makes it a whole lot easier to get at the nuts on the front side of the brackets.  I'll probably leave the U-clip mount on there.... You never know..... Situation might arise someday where I have to put something different in there that needs it.

[GEE-BEE]

I bought the lift strut's

I wouldnt go back to the stock rod assy , I purchased from Black forest industries

GB