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MG TD TF 1500 - Aluminium radiator for my TF

Some while ago, I threatened to get an aluminium radiator for my TF. Well, I ordered it last week and it was shipped today. I’m anxious to get it. But getting it from the US to Canada (only 12 kms) will be a problem as the Canada/US border is closed - both ways and won’t be opening before June 21 at the earliest.

I have to make some mods to it for the fan control temperature sensor and the fan mounting. I will be taking lots of pictures and give a running commentary on the installation; and of course, the results.

I do solicit your comments regarding coolant. I now have an aluminium radiator and a cast iron engine block. What coolant should I use? Dextron, Prestone, Zerex? This technology is changing quickly these days, as iron engines are being abandoned in favour of all-aluminium.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

That's good news Gord. I will anxiously await your evaluation of the new radiator, as I have also wondered about these units.

Mike
TF-8257
M Brand

Fellas

If memory serves me correctly aluminium radiators received a large amount of past discussion, you may find it in the archive.

I think even different sources of supply were mentioned.


Graeme
G Evans

After a good deal of inquiries I went with the regular green Prestone type in my TR8 which is all aluminium, block, heads, water pump and radiator. It was important that the mixing water be distilled. I have paid little attention to that over the years but in this case it's much more critical. With the virus related run on all kinds of products, distilled water was unavailable so I did something I would have never done before and purchased premixed coolant. Ideally a complete coolant flush should be done every 3 years. I replaced the original two speed electric fans with a pair of new units which bolted right into the factory bracket and are more efficient in both air flow and current draw. Never the less they pull a noticeable draw on the 100 amp alternator at idle when they get to the point of kicking in at high speed. To this point they haven't run long before dropping back down to the lower speed but we are heating up around here and I have an appointment to get the air conditioning system charged next week so a real test of the system is in the near future. The original system used a low speed temp switch threaded into a bung on the upper side of the radiator and a high speed temp switch located on the intake manifold. The replacement manifold does not have a place to mount the high speed switch so I used a single dual speed switch in the radiator and it is working very nicely to this point.





L E D LaVerne

First of all, LaVerne - a beautiful TR8 - nice job.

Thanks for the information on coolant. I'm still unsettled about choice of coolant, but I believe that good 'ole standard Prestone, has been improved to handle aluminium engines, so I'm leaning in that direction.

As for a temperature sensor, the one in the picture is from a VW Rabbit. As you can see, it was let into the header tank. On at 185°f, off at 175°f, and I can say it has worked well including a week in the oppressive heat of Gatlinburg, in 2006. I have only a single 10" fan that draws abt 3 amps, so it's hard-wired to the sensor - no relay.

The rad comes with provision for a temp sensor (see pic), so I will have to do a little machine work to adapt it.

I did a lot of homework before I made this purchase. It will cost me over $500 Canadian to get it here, so I have to be prudent when spending retirement dollars! Also I didn’t want to get into hassles with a supplier in a far-away land.

In the spring of 2019, I visited a shop in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) that makes alloy radiators. They do lovely work but wanted me to send them my radiator so they could copy it! I ended up with Winner Racing Tuners (??) - https://www.ebay.com/itm/ALUMINUM-RADIATOR-FOR-MG-TF-XPAG-1-3L-XPEG-1-5L-I4-1953-1955-70mm-silver/113830474129?fits=Model%3ATF%7CMake%3AMG&epid=1566152673&hash=item1a80d33191:g:dJUAAOSwWYxdOUhk . I had a lot of correspondence with them. They’ve sold 75 TF radiators and even more TD rads. They made their original bucks from image drawings from a 3D Image Scanner. Many of the racers in the UK use their rad.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Gord





Gord Clark

Some interesting information on various attempts to cool down a Sunbeam Tiger. Suprisingly....Airflow was one of the biggest factors.....with a Fan spaced 1"-1 1/8" from Radiator most effective.

https://teae.org/cooling-the-sunbeam-tiger/

Mike
TF-8257



M Brand

Mike,

I intend to do a full review of this installation. Right now, the rad is sitting in Chateaugay NY, only 12 kms from here, but because of the pandemic, the Canada/US border is closed and I won' be able to fetch it 'till its open, which hopefully, will be June 20.

I have electric fans on my TF and PA, but they are rarely needed. Somehow, I have to devise a way to measure airflow through the old and new rad - with a running fan.

I don't expect to get this all done for at least a month, so pls stand by ...

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

... well, I have it.

Lovely workmanship. I measured it for straightness - looks OK. Welds look very nice. Weighs less than 4 Kg. Anxious to compare it with the copper one in my TF.

I now have to McGiver a fitting for the temperature sensor, but the nice feature, is that they provide an entry with drilled and threaded holes for it.

More later - stand by ...

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Gord. Wondering how you are getting on with the ally radiator ?
Cheers.
Dave
D Moore

As would I. I am anxious to find out how well this alloy radiator fits and if it works properly.
Jack Long

Dave,

For unknown reasons, the leak in my original (copper) rad, seems to have stopped. I had problems with it last year, hence the aluminium rad. So I'll drive the TF for this season

So I'm going to hold off till October when I put the car up for the winter.

The major issue right now, is finding a temperature sensor/switch to fit the provided hole. I don't really want to drill and tap for something else.

I want to report with a useful details so others can benefit.

A composite picture attached - sorry for the quality - a bit rushed.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.


Gord Clark

This thread was discussed between 30/05/2020 and 12/08/2020

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