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MG MGA - Origional MGA Radiator Cores

I just had the unfortunate luck of having my rad leak (around the upper neck solder & just under the upper tank) and my rad guy says the core is finished. He says I should replace it with the modern style cores and that the origional design is no longer available.
Question #1...can we still get origional rad cores for MGA'S ? Question #2 ... is it worth it or should I use the new style core and ??? get better cooling? Thanks Gordon
Gordon Harrison

Original-style, cell cores are still produced by a company in the State of Maine, USA. A radiator shop near me that handles a lot of antique radiators re-cored mine with a new cell core made by this Maine company. Total cost (including labor) was about $250, and it has performed well. Whether the "originality" is worth it is really a personal question.

Regards,
M.D.
'57 Coupe
M. D.

Beware the newest repros. I ahve fitted one, and the thing is so efficient I cannot get my car up to oerating temperature....
dominic clancy

A GOOD radiator shop will know how to get the proper core for any radiator. The cores are available from Modine (recently sold and under a different name, but still producing cores). It is necessary for the shop to measure the core to get one the proper size, but there is no reason that they can't get an exact fit.

Dominic - is your thermostat doing it's job? The thermostat should remain closed until the engine temperatur come up to the minimum temperature set by the thermostat. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Thanks guy, in order to track down the origional type core ....is there a particular name I should ask for. IE: honeycomb / open-celled / crossfow or tubular? Part of my problem is ...a new repro from Moss is $199.00 US...MD says origional core from Maine is about $250.00 US and my rad guy says $175,00 Can for todays type cores. Will there be a "MEASURABLE" cooling
difference between the old style core and the new? If it will cool better with a modern core I will go that route. Gord
Gordon Harrison

The reproduction core that I bought from Moss doesn't seem to be as efficient as the original. I have to be very carefull to stay out of traffic on hot days, or the car starts to run poorly, and will push coolant out of the overflow tube. I don't remember ever having this problem with the original radiator, but it has been over 25 years since I drove with it, and I may be only remembering the good stuff.
Ed Bell

I have fitted a new 70 degree (C) thermostat, which made no difference at all, and I am getting condensation ice on the inlet manifold (above the exhaust!), it's running too cold. I know that supercharged engines tend to run cooler, but this is ridiculous. I can't even maintain 55 degrees C on the move, and that's with a heavy right foot.

The engine is as clean as a whistle inside, and so is the head, it's basically a brand new rig.
dominic clancy

Gordon,
The original core is called a 'cell core', as has already been mentioned there is only one source for these in North America located in Maine, any good radiator shop should know where to get this core. IMHO, the original cell core is more effient than a tube and fin type of core of equal size.

Frank
Frank Graham

Dominic:
Have you tried a radiator blind? Might help.

Regards,
M.D.
'57 Coupe
M. D.

Thank you everyone. As mentioned by M.D. "cell cores" are available from a company in Maine. Would you have the name and contact details for them. Thank you .Gord PS to MD: My MGA is a 57 1500 Ash Green Coupe w/w
Gordon Harrison

I have a fair idea of the construction of a cell type radiator core, but I have a hard time explaining it with words only. So now you have me searching for a picture. I would like to have a section picture or a diagram of a cell core to post on line. Does anyone have such a thing? How about contact information for that "company in Maine"?
Barney Gaylord

M.D. from Massachussetts.....PLEASE RESPOND. You mentioned a local supplier for origional rad cores that had a business in Maine. Is there any possibility you could offer more information on this company IE: name...address...city or even a telephone number would be appreciated. Thank you, Gordon
Gordon Harrison

Barney,
You've got mail. Cell ccore photos.
Regards,
Doug
D Sjostrom

Gordon:

Sorry, I've been away from the list for a few days. I'm afraid I do not know the name of the company in Maine. The local rad shop that recored my radiator sourced the cell core from the Maine company, so that's how I heard about them. I will try to call my local radiator shop on Monday to get the name of the Maine company for you.

Regards,
M.D.
'57 Coupe
M. D.

Now I have covered up 75% of the radiator with a piece of plywood, I can reach 70 degrees Celsius. Next job is to tape up the oil cooler, which will be a bu**er because the rad is moved forward for the supercharger belts.

That's also an issue with the new rads, the tank is a fraction taller, and fouls the bonnet on the corners when the rad is moved 1cm forward - more work for the universal screwdriver!
dominic clancy

Thanks to Doug Sjostrom we have some nice close up pictures of an original cell core type radiator core. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/cooling/cool_100a.htm
Barney Gaylord

Gordon:

The cell-core producer is Maine Auto Radiator, in Lewiston, Maine and their weblink is below (check under "products"). NOTE that they WILL NOT sell to end users; they will only deal with qualified radiator shops. So do not bother trying to buy from them directly. You'll need to find a radiator shop that has established a relationship with them.

http://www.maineradiator.com/index.html

Good luck.

Regards,
M.D.
'57 Coupe
M. D.

This thread was discussed between 17/01/2006 and 23/01/2006

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