I primed and painted (as well as straightened up a couple of fins for better air flow) the 2 old radiators yesterday. I think I will let them continue to dry today, and maybe even until after work tomorrow, just so the paint sets up really good.
After doing a "post mortum" on the 3rd RX 360, I think my initial assessment of what went wrong was incorrect. It appears that all the screws that held on the fans were the correct length. What I think happened was that when I used the thread tap to clean out the mounting holes after painting, I went too far. Same effective result, but at least now, I know to put a thin, hard, piece of scrap metal (I have so thin gauge steel, 1/8 inch, laying around) in front to the radiator core before running the tap down.
I also contacted XSPC to find out what if anything can be done about it, and what metal was used to construct the tubing (aluminum, copper, brass, etc), and come to find out that it is copper. So with a little luck, I might be able to whip out my hobby blow torch and some tin solder and braze it closed.
Wish me luck.
After doing a "post mortum" on the 3rd RX 360, I think my initial assessment of what went wrong was incorrect. It appears that all the screws that held on the fans were the correct length. What I think happened was that when I used the thread tap to clean out the mounting holes after painting, I went too far. Same effective result, but at least now, I know to put a thin, hard, piece of scrap metal (I have so thin gauge steel, 1/8 inch, laying around) in front to the radiator core before running the tap down.
I also contacted XSPC to find out what if anything can be done about it, and what metal was used to construct the tubing (aluminum, copper, brass, etc), and come to find out that it is copper. So with a little luck, I might be able to whip out my hobby blow torch and some tin solder and braze it closed.
Wish me luck.

















