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MG MGA - Radiator Parts

Good morning Gents, Yes it’s me again, Mike from Brussels Belgium .....
I have another question for you all, if I may!!!
In my MGA Anglo parts & accessories catalogue, page 20, there is a Felt Pad above the radiator, item No. 98 (See attached diagram). The catalogue says “Felt Pad, Bonnet to Radiator – VERY IMPORTANT” !!!!!
Can someone tell me what is the utility of this part and where exactly should it be installed inside the bonnet, and how? With screws, with glue or with tape?
Many thanks and have a great week-end.
Mike......



Mike PAIN

Hi Mike
the pad is there to prevent any cool air from bypassing the radiator through the gap between the top of the rad and the bonnet.
So in theory, more cool air goes through the rad.
My car doesn't have the pad and runs pretty cool without it.

They were apparently filled with horsehair and I have always assumed that they were glued in place.
If you do ever buy one and fit it, let us know if your car runs any cooler.
Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

They were glued to the underside of the bonnet/hood.
Gary Lock

Hi Mike I fitted a pad from NTG. It is approx. 200mm back from the front of the bonnet and the edges fit into the bonnent channels. My temperature runs between 170-180° f spray glued to bonnet.
Brian

Brian Paddon

Colyn. Was it also meant to stop hot engine compartment air recycling forward and through the rad?

Mike for position I recall laying the block on my radiator; temporarily attaching a couple of bits of double sided tape so that it stuck to the bonnet when opened. This gave the exact position for permanent gluing.

Steve
Steve Gyles

You are correct Steve,
the pad is intended to help reduce the re-circulation of hot air through the rad.

I just had a quick look into MGA Guru and found Barneys section about cooling which discusses this pad, I hope he won't mind me cut and pasting the article and pic onto here.

This is what he says,
"Another thing you need that is often missing is the felt pad that is glued to the underside of the bonnet and comes to rest on top of the front edge of the top tank of the radiator. Without this pad in place hot air can recirculate over the top of the radiator. Any hot air recirculating back through the core for a second pass is displacing the cool air that should be going through the core, and thus reducing the cooling capacity of the radiator. For a system that is marginal to begin with, just a little reduction in cooling will make a BIG difference in the coolant operating temperature. If you have need to make your own felt block, it is 3/4-inch x 2-inches x 13-1/2-inches long."

Fitting a pad to my bonnet has slipped so far down my "To-Do" list that I had almost forgotten about it.
I may well take another look at it now, so thanks for bringing it up Mike

Cheers
Colyn


Colyn Firth

Yes, I have one fitted. But I am not sure about the "VERY IMPORTANT" warning Mike has read about.
I haven't ever got around to testing its effectiveness, but for sure the car wont self combust without it!
If the car is not over heating its not going to be "Very important"
Graham V

Hi Colyn,

Per your request about the bonnet to radiator felt pad for MGA, I tried it on 2 different MGA vehicles.

One with an electrical fan (Mine) and one without (My friends MGA). The one with an electrical fan “No difference”. The one without an electrical fan runs a little cooler and shows a slight different of 3 to 4° F. less.

Hope this answers you question Colyn, thanks again for your help.

Cheers everybody, thanks for the Infos, stay safe.

Mike from Brussels Belgium......
Mike PAIN

This thread was discussed between 25/06/2020 and 28/06/2020

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