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MG MGA - broken radiator filler neck side tube

I have a 57 MGA and the small metal tube that comes off the side of the radiator filler neck broke off. This is for overflow from the radiator.
I was replacing the water pump and all hoses and removed and reinstalled the radiator without any problems - except I accidently grabbed the small hose attached to this vent tube and it broke off.
It looks like it was soldered in place.
Any advice on soldering this back in place?
What kind of solder should be used?
Can this be done with a solder gun or is a torch needed?

Thanks-
Bill Chandler - Ann Arbor,MI


W Chandler

Clean, clean, clean, clean
And clean!
Acid flux and high tin solder.
Modern silver bearing no-lead solder easier to get now and with its flux is even easier to use.
Big soldering copper if you could find such - look for greybeards!
Torch with great care. Fill rad up to just below the repair point, will keep you from the ever progressive "unsoldered rad" experience.

Oh yeah - clean and shiny!

FRM
FR Millmore

Would an epoxy work in this application, like J-B weld maybe??
G Goeppner

Bill,

It is a pretty easy job, I also pulled mine off accidently. Just clean up the two areas to be joined, dab on some flux and solder them back together. I have an old spool of lead/tin solder that worked well. A propane torch works well, just be careful not to over do it. A large soldering iron might work, but will take longer to get it evenly heated up.

While you are at it take a close look at the down pipe. Mine wasn't at tight, drawn pipe but rather a rolled tube with the sides somehow folded together. The tubes only purpose is to convey overflow down below the engine so I suppose it didn't need to be all that tight.

Since I wanted to install an overflow bottle I replaced the tube with a brass barbed fitting. I ground out the female threads and soldered it in place of the overflow tube. Once it was painted black you can hardly notice the difference.

John




jbackman

I used a self-contained butane torch with a fairly small flame to change the entire filler neck for the later 3/4" type, with the rad in situ. Replacing the overflow tube should be easy, just drain the rad down a little, protect the surrounding area with wet cloths and, as Bill says, don't over do the heat or you'll have the filler neck off too!
Lindsay Sampford

This thread was discussed between 05/07/2012 and 06/07/2012

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