MG-Cars.com
MG MGA Cross flow Radiator BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net
MG-Cars.net
Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.
Recommendations
Parts
MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.
|
|
MG MGA - Cross flow Radiator
| Hello all, I'm going to a cross flow rad and will be pressurizing the system via an expansion tank mounted on the heater shelf. I've found them on ebay and Summit for $70 and up. The tank needs to be less than 6" tall with a fitting on the bottom, one on the side and of course take a standard rad cap. Any existing cars that you may know of that have one that fit this description? I'm going salvage yard hunting and would like to look for specific makes. Thanks! John |
| JohnB |
| Why not use the tank from an MGB? then it still will be MG. Sandy |
| Sandy Sanders |
| http://www.rhodo.citymax.com/i/non-rhodo/radiator.jpg Excellent Xflow alloy rad, but not for $90! Also sourced it from Summit. |
| Bill Spohn |
| Why does it need a fitting on the bottom? You could do as many have done and use either an MGB or a midget expansion tank. 2 connections one for dip pipe and the other for overflow. |
| Bob (robert) I used to own a Morris Oxford |
| John Not sure of the dimensions of your cross-flow radiator, But using an MGB expansion tank as suggested by Sandy you may have enough room to fit it immediately behind the radiator, rather than having to run rubber piping all the way to the shelf. See my installation: http://freespace.virgin.net/stephen.gyles/radiator_expansion_tank.htm It was a tight fit and makes access to the front carb for adjustment a bit fiddly, but once all set up runs absolutely fine. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| If a person were to convert to an MGB radiator, would it be a simple bolt in affair or are there modifications to be done to make it fit. And, would a stock MGB radiator offer cooling ability greater than the origional MGA radiator. Thanks Gordon |
| Gordon Harrison |
| Thanks all, Those of you using the B tank- Does the "dip pipe" run to the bottom of the tank on the inside? Bill, That looks like the rad I'm using, an AFCO product? Though still pricey it's about 1/2 of the price of having something custom made. What are you using as an expansion/surge tank? John |
| JohnB |
| John Yes, pipe goes to the bottom of the MGB expansion tank. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| John Can I ask what advantage you believe the crossflow has on the MGA. I have been led to believe that there is no advantage of one type over the other. It is usually the available space in the engine compartment that determines whether to go for down flow or crossflow. Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Steve, I'm putting this rad in a vintage racer. I've researched having the existing rad re-cored with a modern 3 row core but some say the modern core is too dense not allowing enough air flow. When installing this crossflow, the side tanks "hide" behind the mounting flanges on the A. The rad height over all is about 3" taller than stock (core vs top and bottom tanks), so I'm picking up about 1/2sqf more cooling area. As for the sealed MGB system, I could use this, but by the time I refurb a used rad or purchase a new one I may as go ahead with the cross-flow. The majority of other vintage guys are using them around here and I know they work. Lastly, the alum rads are about 1/3rd the weight and look cool too! j |
| JohnB |
| Nice to see Steve's set up - I bought an MGB exp. tank at an autojumble last summer and am about to try fitting it. I've had trouble with water being chucked out of the overflow - hope this will save me having to top up so often - . Cam |
| C Cunningham |
| Thanks for the info John, most interesting. Will we see photographs of the finished set-up? Cam, ditto. Not lost a drop of water in the last 2 years. I struggled to find a suitable place for the tank and eventually settled for the position in the photograph. It can be a bit of a pain there and I usually remove it when I want to work on the carbs. I was also worried about lack of cooling air around the carbs but have not had any problems - I guess my consumption is so high (heavy foot) that the fast flow of petrol through the fuel bowl is keeping it cool!!! Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| I also want to fit one of these tanks, but it can't go where Steve has his (that space is occupied by the drive pulley and belts for the supercharger). I am thinking it will have to go in front of the rad - how important is it to keep the height of the top of the expansion tank above the radiator top tank? |
| dominic clancy |
| The point about it is that it can be mounted below the rad tank level. No problem mounting it in front of the rad Dominic. |
| Bob (robert) I used to own a Morris Oxford |
| Steve the only problem is sealing the original rad cap in a way to allow fluid movement from the rad to the expansion tank. I modified the original cap how did you do this? |
| Bob (robert) I used to own a Morris Oxford |
| Bob I removed the innards of an old cap. Glued up the area around the remnants of the shaft and fitted a large rubber washer to make an airtight joint with the filler neck. Alternatively, I suppose you could fit one from an MGB, or is it a different size? Picture of my radiator cap innards is added to my website: http://freespace.virgin.net/stephen.gyles/radiator_expansion_tank.htm All the best Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| If I wanted to purchase an Aluminum MGA radiator, does anyone stock them, or do I have to contact Griffin Radiators, or an equal. Someone asked if an MGB Radiator will fit. Any chance they have the same mounting and dimensions. thanks. |
| ASH Andrew |
| Andrew, I'm told a B rad will fit though the mounting holes will not line up- 2 on each side vs 3. Griffin can make a custom cross or down flow alu rad for btwn $450-$600 If you search Google Images for MGA Aluminum Radiator you will find an outfit in the UK that makes a BEAUTIFUL MGA rad clone out of polished alum. I think it was about $800us. Kent Prather sells one for about $460. I'm going with a bi-pass crossflow unit from AFCO. It's called a "Scirroco Style Universal Dragster Rad" 13"x22" both inlet and outlet are on the same side, so plumbing will be midified for my vintage race use. I'm also going to have to cut a small amount of the cowl to make it fit. Don't panic! This is already the 2nd cowl grafted to the front of this frankenstein! It's about $229 from Summit Racing. Keep us posted on what you plan on using. John |
| JohnB |
| An early B rad has three bolts each side, not two. No idea if the hole pitch is the same. |
| dominic clancy |
| Bob "the only problem is sealing the original rad cap in a way to allow fluid movement from the rad to the expansion tank. " I run a setup similar to Steve's, but with the overflow tank a litle lower and back against the fender. Only water loss I have experienced is a couple of weeks ago when the connecting hose sprung a leak (after 4 or 5 years of use). Plain sealing (no pressure relief) caps are available from your local auto supply store. I use the original pressure cap on the overflow tank. HTH Larry 58A |
| Larry Hallanger |
| Yes I did that also Larry when I did mine a couple of years ago. I just wondered how others had sealed the original rad top. Mine was the same as Steves in so much I made a rubber gasket for the top. |
| Bob (robert) I used to own a Morris Oxford |
This thread was discussed between 13/01/2006 and 18/01/2006
MG MGA index
This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.