MGB Register Forum

Does anyone have any experience of using an aluminium radiator, I've taken the present one off to get at the timing chain cover to measure it and fit a new pulley, as usual, looks to be a few different models/suppliers out there so any advice will be helpful, thanks..

For a normal 1800 MGB the standard copper/brass radiator should be more than adequate, especially in Britain. Why pay more for an aluminium one? One aluminium rad I bought for a V8 suffered with leaks from quite early on because of the way the tubes were punched into the tanks. Vibration shook them loose and they couldn't be refixed. A standard rad can be soldered, aluminium can't. Obviously they aren't all going to be like that. Aluminium is also a poorer conductor of heat than copper/brass. It's only advantage is that the strength of the aluminium allows more wider tubes to be fitted. I would stick with standard.

Bumpa wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 3:37 pm For a normal 1800 MGB the standard copper/brass radiator should be more than adequate, especially in Britain. Why pay more for an aluminium one? One aluminium rad I bought for a V8 suffered with leaks from quite early on because of the way the tubes were punched into the tanks. Vibration shook them loose and they couldn't be refixed. A standard rad can be soldered, aluminium can't. Obviously they aren't all going to be like that. Aluminium is also a poorer conductor of heat than copper/brass. It's only advantage is that the strength of the aluminium allows more wider tubes to be fitted. I would stick with standard.

Thanks, do you recall the make or where you got it from?

It came from Cambridge Motorsports. Some years ago now. They were good about the first rad failing and sent me another one, but that leaked also. Gave up after that and put a copper/brass one in. No further trouble.

Stick with the copper and brass type they are a much better conductor of heat than aluminium.

Thanks for the replies, it helps with my decisions. I've had a good look at what the big MG suppliers have to offer and the options don't look great and are very expensive. My existing radiator is fine, it's in good condition and I have no overheating issues, it is just a logistical issue, if I was away, say driving around the south of France, I may need to get a replacement radiator, so I was looking for something a bit more reliable, easy to obtain (anywhere) and replace. I've found some possibilities from VW, Ford and Toyota, about half the price of an MG one also may can fitted with the OEM electric fan and shroud, (present fan is a bespoke Kenlow and shroud). The options are a little bigger capacity too. I'll post my solution if anyone is interested...