Radiator Fittings

[Matt RSP]

I was fitting a new radiator into my Mk2 Cooper today and the new radiator from MiniSpares has a six bolt fitting as per later cars with the one piece shroud. The two piece shroud on my car has already been modified to take such fittings but annoyingly only three holes line up, two on the front and the top hole on the back. The old radiator fitted very nicely with the older four bolt fitting system.

So, does anybody know if there is anywhere that supplies radiators with the older style fittings? Or should I just leave it with three bolts in? I'd be concerned about vibration if I did that.

Thanks all,

Matt.

[minibitz]

Isn't it the other way, 6 bolts for two piece and 4 bolts for one piece shroud? Doesn't answer your question though. Which rad do you have? I've used ARP2000 with both shrouds without issue.

[Spider]

Have you your original radiator?

Maybe consider having that re-cored.

[Matt RSP]

It's an ARP2000 that I have. Thinking about it I guess six bolts would make sense with a two piece shroud, but on the old radiator the four mounts were a couple of inches closer to the wing. That would mean an ARP2000 wouldn't fit a car with that system without modification to the shroud which is why I assumed the four bolt would be the older system thinking the ARP2000 would be designed to fit the majority of cars left on the road.

I'm just about to have another attempt but may consider a refurb if I can't get it to fit properly. It's so frustrating when one tiny little bolt delays what should be a minor job!

Thanks again,

Matt.

[Matt RSP]

Just to update this - I'm stupid.

It turns out that on comparing the radiator in my Mk2 with that of my later S I see where my confusion lay. I now realise that whether four bolt or six bolt the holes all sit in the same line hence why aftermarket radiators fit any Mini. What was clouding my judgement initially was that my Mk2's shroud has been modified at some point in its life and the radiator fitted despite looking very similar to a Mini radiator, is not.

The four bolts that hold that radiator sit closer to the inner wing, on the next 'section' of metal.

So as the shroud has been modified in such a way that a normal radiator can't fit, and the old one fit so well I decided to just get it recored.

Colchester Radiator Specialists (who make the better radiators for Minispares) did the job quickly and installed a drain plug too. It's back in and again fits like a glove.

Matt.

[evonaut]

How much was the re-core, by the way?

[Matt RSP]

It was £90 all in with the tap etc so a bit more than a new rad but worth it as otherwise I would have had to buy a new shroud too.

Matt.

[evonaut]

that is actually slightly less than the rad i just bought......... did it include repainting of the top tank etc? oh well.....

[dklawson]

90 GBP for a re-core? That is a great price! The last time I inquired about a re-core for my GT6 I was told $450... which is about the same as the brass reproduction radiator and more than an aluminum aftermarket item.

[Matt RSP]

In that case I'm quite pleased with that! Yes £90 for a re-core to standard three core and fully painted with the drain plug fitted.

It was a 48 hour service from CRS.

Matt.

[ianh1968]

Colchester Radiator Specialists (who make the better radiators for Minispares)
did the job quickly and installed a drain plug too.

How about you add a link to them on the
"Recommended Parts Suppliers / Useful Web links" Board?

I've been looking for something like this for ages...
The "Austin Allegro" rad in my Mini-Marcos could do with some attention.

Ian

[Matt RSP]

Will do.

Matt.