Cooling System

The cooling system in a GT40 is unlike that of a front engined car.  The radiator is in the front, and two coolant tubes transfer the coolant to the engine through the center tunnel.

The coolant tubes in my car are made from .065 walled 6061-T6 aluminum tubes 1-1/2" OD.  The transitions from the straight tubes to teh raddiator are made from 4 90º elbows made from the same type and wall thickness material.  The bends are very tight - 1x the radius.  But this is necessary in the tight confines of a GT40.

I bought the 90º elbows from Woolf Aircraft Products.  The elbows are very nice quality and the service excellent.

I put the elbows in the car where they will be.  Since the legs are longer than what is needed, I marked where they needed to be cut.  I then cut then to the proper length with a hacksaw, filed them to make the ends smooth and straight, and cleaned up all the burrs with some 150 grit sandpaper.

My son and I made a weld jig from some plywood sheet and strips of wood.  I loced where the pipes needed to be and glued the strips in place.  Now, the welder simply needs to tack the welds while the tubes are in the jig.  He can then remove them and finish the weld.

Beads will be added to each end of the tubes prior to welding them together.

The radiator is a custom made unit for RCR and will handle up to 600HP.  Twin pulling fans keep the engine cool during stop and go driving.