Radiator in front of Radiator???

[papadopalas]

Took my radiator out last night to clean and paint and there was another, what looks like, smaller, radiator. No hoses to it. Is this normal? Some sort of bug catcher? I had something like this installed on my truck to help cool the transmission fluid. ( recommended for a lot of towing ) I'm at a loss.

[SunnySideUp]

Did your Spider ever have an automatic transmission or air conditioning? If so, and depending on what it actually looks like, the extra radiator is probably an abandon oil cooler for the transmission or condenser coil for the A/C.

[sptcoupe]

I have had some stock radiators modified to add additional cooling capacity, and the shops did it by adding what you described as a small radiator to the front side. They always worked well.

[papadopalas]

Did your Spider ever have an automatic transmission or air conditioning? If so, and depending on what it actually looks like, the extra radiator is probably an abandon oil cooler for the transmission or condenser coil for the A/C.

I have no idea what it might have had in the last 34 years. It's a manual trans now and as far as A/C, There isn't anything in the engine bay that looks like it. (only the blue triangle on the control lever, but I don't think that means anything)

As far as helping the cooling system, It doesn't seem to overheat and, like I said, there are no hoses hooked to it....I guess I'll leave it in to protect the "real" radiator. Besides the added weight, I don't see why not.

Any opinions?

[So Cal Mark]

blocking air to the radiator is not a good idea, if it's not being used take it out

[papadopalas]

Ok, after searching, I've figured out it was part of a previous a/c in the car. Now that I've taken it out I kinda wish I didn't. might want to install the rest of it next summer and get some cool air flowing. Oh well, I'll hang on to it and maybe reinstall when the wallet permits.