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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Mustang/Falcon Radiators

I'm going to install a 1964 Mustang/Falcon-V8 radiator in my B. They seem to carry different part numbers. Does anyone know what the difference would be?
The Mustang radiator is cheaper ($129) Both are 3 row and for the automatic with V8.
WWW.Radiators.com

Kelly
Kelly

I think the difference is where the inlet and outlets are. When I bought mine, I had to have the inlet shifted to the drivers side from the passenger side. (About $40.00).
Justin

An update: FYI, It looks like the mustang radiator has both of the outlets on the right side. That's not good. However, there is a 3 row updated version for a 302 that has the upper hose connection on the right and the lower on the left. This would make the connections on the correct side to hook up to the Rover engine and provide better cooling.

Kelly
Kelly

Hi Kelly
Left hand side of the radiator or the left hand side of the engine compartment??
Regards
Tony
Tony Bates

Aside from the differences in outlets previously mentioned, unless you need a trans cooler(automatic), get the stick shift version without the trans cooler. It has a bit more cooling capacity & no extra fittings to plug.

Installation will work, but you will probably have to install the radiator slanted to the rear at the top, as it is longer than even the modified B radiators that have been extended 2" or so. You do not want the radiator hanging below the front cross member. I used one for a year or so before going to aluminum, & it worked fine.
Jim Stuart

Here's a link.
http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MPFMP&Product_Code=04385&Category_Code=conversion

This is almost the same as the 6 cyl version but the outlets are larger. The 6 cyl version is 1 1/4 while this one is 1 1/2 top 1 3/4 lower.

I was measuring the top end room for the radiator, there is about 1 1/2 in of free space where the radiator could be moved up. This brings the bottom about even with the front valance. A little aluminum ducting and it should be shielded from stones and other road debris.

I ordered one today.
Kelly Combes

Please do let me know how this goes!! Install and cooling. I was fgoing to go for a falcon radiator if I don't get my cooling 100% the way I want it this summer. She was running a ahir on the hot sode last year, I am adding beter fans for this year, but nice to have a back-up plan...

Larry
Larry Embrey

Kelly, Could you tell me which year B the mustang radiator will fit as I know the later B radiators were taller than the radiators for the chrome bumper cars. A friend is getting ready to start a V6 conversion on his (with an automatic trans). He is having knee surgery and this is the only way he can keep using his B, which he and his wife enjoy. I believe his car may be a 75, but I'm not sure.
J Davis

Kelly,
Those radiator inlets and outlets are on the WRONG sides for a rover V8. The outlet needs to be on the lower passenger side, and the inlet can go either way depending on your intake manifold. If you're going fuel injected it needs to be on the upper drivers side.

Justin

p.s. Modine makes a nice heavy duty version of this radiator with both inlet and outlet on passenger side. That could work well for you, or having the inlet moved to the drivers side really isn't that big of a deal. It took my radiator shop less then half a day to redo everything and powdercoat it all again.
Justin

Justin, I'm running a carb version 3.5 Rover. The upper will be on the correct side for me but the lower will have to be piped to the other side.
The problem with the inlet/outlet on the same side is the coolant will travel down about 1/3 of the radiator and you will loose the advantage of having a larger radiator. Having the inlet/outlet on oposing sides forces the full use of the core. I've talked to a few mustang folks and they said that they switched to the oposed side radiator because of this problem.

J, I've got a 79 with the mounts up front. You would have to move your bracket up anyway to fit the V8.

Since the weather here never gives me much of a break,(heat) I've installed ceramic coated RV8 manifolds, vented the inner wings and going with the larger radiator. The addition of A/C will be adding to the heat issue. If I could find someone in the area to make a louvered bonnet, I'd do that too.
I'll be using a pusher electric for the condenser and an engine driven fan on the back side. It should be a nice little hurricane under the bonnet.


FWIW

Kelly
Kelly Combes

I've installed the Mustang radiator in my 66 conversion with warmed -over 4.0 liter Rover. Both inlet and outlet are on the passenger side and it fits and works quite well. I moved the radiator all the way forward to the slam panel and positioned the top tank within 3/8 inch of the hood. The bottom tank is slightly above the bottom of the crossmember. I'm using a shrouded two speed Taurus SHO puller fan and temps never go above 190, even when idling in traffic.
Gordon
Gordon Elkins

Gordon, Did you slant the radiator?
Kelly
Kelly Combes

Kelly,
I'll take some pictures with my digital cam tonight and show you where and how I mounted my falcon radiator.

So let me get this straight. You want the inlet on the passenger side, and the outlet on the drivers side, even though the inlet on the water pump is on the passenger side?
Justin

Kelly, the radiator fit straight up. In order to move the radiator forward enough to allow for a puller fan on any size, I had to trim the sheet metal between the bumper and the radiator to all room to move the radiator forward. That was the only modification to the car. I used 1" angle aluminum pieces to mount the ratiator to the existing radiator mount. I have some photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~gelkinssprint/index.html.

Gordon
Gordon Elkins

I took about 7 pictures of my radiator area tonight, and posted them to my yahoo briefcase. The address is: http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bmanetd Choose the folder titled "mgb v8". There are now 26 pictures of the car in there, so you'll have to look through the list to find the right pictures.

If anyone wants a close up of anything else, feel free to ask.

Justin
Justin

Gordon, Looks great! I think you've changed my mind. I'm sure the plumbing would be easier.

Justin, Thanks for the photos. I guess that's why there is not a "kit" for the V8. They all seem to be a little different. Both of my water outlets point to the right side (passenger side US)like Gordon's.

Kelly
Kelly Combes

Kelly . . . I used 1-1/2" copper elbow and pipe to make the bottom radiator connections. You can get a really tight bend radius that way. Every car is a one-of-a-kind. Good luck.

Gordon
Gordon Elkins

This thread was discussed between 09/04/2003 and 12/04/2003

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