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MG MGA - MGA Grille

There was a thread a few years ago where was mentioned that incorrect slats shape in the repro grilles reduces air flow to the radiator. What is a gap between slats in the ORIGINAL MGA grille?
Thank you.
Nick.
Nikolai Skliadnev

Nick

Good question. I have never had any need to alter mine as I have never had overheating problems, so I am guessing that mine are set close to the factory settings. Looking directly from the front the visible gap on mine from the front edge of one strut to the back edge of the adjacent strut seems to average out at about 0.25"

Steve
Steve Gyles

Nick

Just to avoid any ambiguity I have attached a schematic.

Steve


Steve Gyles

I have a repro one fitted to the car but also still have my original 1500 grill. My repro one came from Moss about 10 years ago, there may different ones around.

I compared them side by side. Of course the main difference is that the repro slats are chrome where the original ones were stainless steel. The surround is chrome in both cases.

Both sets of slats are around 13mm wide. Looking straight on the original ONES gap is about 6 to 7 mm (as Steve says) When the previous discussion was alive I lightly twisted my repro slats to open the gap and they are now as the original one, and the angle is similar to the eye. I don't know what the gap was before but clearly it was less.

Beware on repros that edges of slats can be razor sharp!

I hopes this helps. I could take photos if useful

Paul

P M Dean

From us guys in the TD side. When you look at the front of the car you should be able to see the rad through the slats. I have a new grille from Moss and it is open and fits well all the way around. The slats are stainless steel and it is Chrome on Brass. Overall I think it is a well made piece.
CR Tyrell

Thank you all for taking part in the discussion.
Steve, thank you for picture. I compared it with my 4 y.o. grille from Moss. It looks similar. I remember you have original type of cell core in your radiator. Have you recored it and where?
Thanks,
Nick
Nikolai Skliadnev

Nick

My grill is stainless steel.

My original radiator sprang a leak about 12 years ago and I exchanged it through Bob West who had researched the design and found a local (to him) supplier who did the recoring to as close to original spec as modern pipe supplies would allow. As a result I have never had cooling problems on either radiator, nor the 2 engines I have used - the original 1500 and the 1800V since 2000.

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed on 21/05/2014

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.