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MG MGB Technical - Aluminum Radiators

Has anyone bought one of the aluminum radiators that are currently offered from several vendors on Ebay? They seem to be reasonably priced but are manufactured in china.
Scott Shirk

Hi Scott. A couple of years ago I bought an Ali-rad for my MGC for less than 200€ including Postage and customscost. It was well built and fits ok.
Joern-M

I have had a lot of bother with aluminium radiators and I wouldn't recommend them. My first one leaked from the outset where the vertical tubes enter the bottom tank. The supplier (a reputable UK business) took it back and had it repaired.

I fitted it and it still leaked. The supplier took it back and had it recored.

I fitted it and it still leaked. As it was now three years since I bought the thing, the supplier, in a gesture of good will, sent me another brand new one.

I fitted it and it still leaked from exactly the same place as the original. Since my warranty was well and truly finished, I took it to a radiator repair specialist in Glasgow and he went off the deep end about aluminium radiators in general. He said they were not worth the money, a copper/brass one was just as efficient and could be easily repaired, whereas repairs to an aluminium one are very difficult and often not successful. He attempted a repair on my aluminium one using a resin sealer.

I fitted it and it lasted about 6 months before the leak came back. The repairer said it would. It doesn't leak much - just a few drops a night. It only leaks when it's cold, but it is still annoying, especially when you consider the cost.
Mike Howlett

I do not have 1st hand knowledge but yesterday I observed someone's MGA with an aluminum radiator, that when installed was so close to the engine there was no room for a fan between the radiator and engine.

Result was an electronic fan in front of the radiator, but it was 10 blades, and may have been too much bulk, and may have been blocking air flow, because car would still get too hot.

His next step is to find a less bladed electronic fan for in front of the radiator.

So, just finding a nice aluminum radiator is one thing, working out the extra complications is something else.
R.W Anderson

it's not as simple as the size of the blades or to some extent the number of blades it's the design of the fan unit itself that matters - a 12" fan might not be better than a 9" and a 5 blade better than a 7 (figures made up for example only)

same way an ali rad might not be better than standard and a bigger rad might not be better than a smaller one

others with more knowledge than me would be able to explain more fully
Nigel Atkins

Unless you are using the car very hard in very hot conditions the standard cooling system should be more than adequate - even Texas. If it isn't then there is probably something wrong, like the engine producing more heat than it should, the coolant not circulating as it should, or the radiator not getting rid of it as it should. If the problem is one of the first two then the biggest radiator in the world isn't going to help much.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 07/07/2013 and 08/07/2013

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