Why won’t it fit?

[docka]

Had an irate mechanic shouting at me saying the bits I’ve given him don’t fit! He’s now cut the cowl but still can’t get the radiator in. Engine in car obvs.

1330A+
Timing cover with breather
Cooper S cowl and bottom bracket
MS rad
Plastic fan

I’ve told him to undo engine mounting and lift engine up.
What else am I missing here??

[Herbert]

Have you got the correct bottom bracket? 12A293 (its got a kink in it!) not a 22A29 !!!

Also the top bracket if not original will need the holes on the thermostat housing to be elongated.

[docka]

Yes both lower and upper brackets are the S ones

[Nick W]

It is difficult with a breather, but just about doable if it's the flat breather pipe, you could modify the lower cowl to make it easier.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22337

[AndyPen]

Some radiators are wider than original as well don't forget, so is there a spacer fitted to the rear of the fan??

[Polarsilver]

i file the Rad; Lower Mounting Bracket bolt holes into slots ..then there is some slideable adjustment available .. in my case this was done to align all Radiator area components ..yes with a reproduction inner wing Rad Shroud fitted & painted only then i found this aftermarket Square Shroud was being too wide at the front end & just fouls onto the Radiator. .. but with my lower Rad Mounting Bracket now having some adjustment i got away with the issue without a major rework ..next time i will measure all the OE datum & clearances gap "before" the Rad.& Engine comes out & the bodyshell is reworked & painted.
Beware its not just Door Shuts that need attention best add onto the list the Radiator inner wing Shroud is not oversize to later cause problems.

[GraemeC]

On an A+ block why not just use a later cowl and bracket? Would save a lot of faffing I think

[docka]

Some radiators are wider than original as well don't forget, so is there a spacer fitted to the rear of the fan??

Yes

[docka]

On an A+ block why not just use a later cowl and bracket? Would save a lot of faffing I think

True but spoils the look...

[docka]

Thanks for the replies.
So he was right to cut the lower cowl then, phew.
Think he was just having a bad day and I got the brunt of it.

[docka]

And he’s also just told me the steering rack is knackered.
Another thing on the ‘should have checked first’ list

Turning into a bit of a nightmare scenario this