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MG MGA - oil cooler placement on rad shelf

While I wait for the patterns,for my front bumper brakets to arrive, I am going to install my oil cooler. It will be in front of the radiator, behind the grill.

Does it matter how far away from the radiator,I put it? Is there a "preferable" placement so that air flow is maximized and turbulance is reduced to a minimum? Should it be closer to the grill....closer to the radiator ....or in the middle?

Can the oil cooler "decrease" the cooloing effect of my radiator,if placed in this location and if so,is there a better location for it.

BTW: it is an origional "British Motors Works" 13 row type cooler.

Thank you, Gordon

Gordon Harrison

I hope you get some good of input Gordon. In my experience, I put mine approximatly where they were in the later models, about 3.5 inches from the radiator. Now there's holes and its not easily moved. They do cause turbulence there. It would be less origional but I would now prefer it up against the radiator as in modern cars. Another option I think I would prefer is to invert it so it hangs from the shelf: less air-flow to the cooler but more air flow to the radiator. I did move my horn from where I found, it on top of the shelf, to under the shelf. Sounds the same, better air flow.
Steve
Steve Meline

Gordon,

I just installed an oil cooler (234-925 from Moss) and the enclosed instructions direct you to mount the cooler as close to the radiator as you can. It causes less turbulence and loss of cooling ability in the water radiator. I spaced mine about .5 inch from the radiator.

Dave
David Ahrendt

Hi Gord.

"British Motors Works"???? Don't tell me you're installing BMW parts on you 'A!

Derek Nicholson

Gordan- The original shop manual has a section devoted to the installation of the oil cooler in section A45. It is mounted 4 1/4" foward from the rear of the radiator duct panel. It also has you relocating the horns, but I don't remember having to do that. If you need other dimensions let me know. Gary
gary starr

If mounted under the shelf, as I did, you need to supply airflow to it or it does not do much good behind the bumper and valance. I eliminated the front bumper and used a racing type fiberglass valance with an air hole front and center with the oil cooler as far forward as possible. I did this to cool a 200 HP Mazda Rotary. On a stock or near stock set up, as on my MK11, this is not necessary.
I chose to mount it in the stock location on the MK11 for "correctness" instead of closer to the radiator for better efficiency. I believe there is a drawing in the Moss parts book for original location.
Many choices different reasons.
Randy
R J Brown

Gordon

Garry is right - the optional oil cooler position is given in the original manual and also shows the more forward position of the horn mounting brackets on the chassis. Don't know anything about turbulance, but I found the oil cooler needed to be this far forward to clear the fitment of an electric fan. It also ensured the pre-bent steel pipes passed neatly under the radiator and over the steering rack. That's what I found with mine anyway...
Once you have drilled them holes - that's it!

Pete
Pete Tipping

I made a mistake, the oil cooler is an origional 10 row/hard lined MORRIS MOTORS WORKS. All origional and "rare?".

Steve, your right, once the holes are cut thats where it stays.

David, That close to the rad puts it right above the rack & pinion. Will the hard lines not be blocked by the R&P ?

Derek, my brother has two spare BMW motors. Maybe I will put one of them in. LOL

Gary,when you relocate the horns...where do they go?

RJ. I want to keep the origional bumpers so under the rad pan is out.

Pete, I have an origional manuel (green soft cover) but every time people speak of the origional manuel, it does not correspond to mine. Is there another book I need to get?
Gordon Harrison

Gordon

Again Gary is right. The "Oil Cooler Kits" is section A45 within "THE engine" section. At the bottom of the page is has: "M.G. 'MGA'. Issue 1. 40954"
Mine version states it was issued by BMC - MG Car Division. Mine is about eight years old, I got it from MGOC.

Am no expert on other versions - sorry.

I could try to enlarge the drawing by photocopying and then scan it and email it to you - if legible?

It shows the oil cooler centre line at 4 1/4" in front of the rear edge of the rad pan. Also shows new horn bracket hole posns.

Pete
Pete Tipping

Well 4 1/4 inches....in front of the rad and on top of the rad shelf. thanks everyone.
Gordon Harrison

Here you go Gord. Check out page 15.

http://www.1978mgmidget.com/MGA_Special_Tuning.pdf

Derek Nicholson

Thanks Derek - saved me the trouble - off you go Gordon!
Pete
Pete Tipping

Gordon,

FWIW - I mounted my oil cooler under the radiator duct panel at the suggestion of Doug Jackson of British Automotive (www.mgbmga.com - I believe he has a drawing showing where to drill holes.). I was concerned about blocking the radiator air flow-doesn't the hot "exhaust air" from the oil cooler go toward the radiator when the cooler is mounted on top of the radiator duct panel? - and like the undermount idea. It was simple, clean and only required that I cut a vent into the valance which is attractive and not at all obvious. The down side is that the starter crank can't be used anymore (small loss in my opinion). The good news is that the horn doesn't need to be moved.

Randy
'59 roadster, coupe
Randy Myers

This thread was discussed between 06/05/2006 and 09/05/2006

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