Me and radiators just don't seem to be able to play together....
Last time I took the Elf out it overheated...
On starting try and clean it up decided time to get the radiator and head serviced...
So the other weekend I decapitated the Elf....
One look at the Radiator - and they said - Recore...
Now I used the Miniman trick to remove and replace the radiator....
a bit tight and some jiggling around the fan to be done - but job done with less fuss than with cowls off....
However the problem I had fitting it back in is that the upper front corner is fowling on the inner guard shroud on the body...
In fact the edge is so far out it is stuck under lip - and when looking more closely the shroud had been bent slightly to clear before... but this is now stuck hard against it.
How much clearance is there normally on a 998 60's mini between the radiator and shroud ?
Any ideas on what may be wrong ?
There are a few clues...
I put in new rubbers for the top mount bolts... so that would push it out a few mm. further than it had been.
There was a home made nylon washer under one top mount bracket - perhaps to push down the radiator slightly (?) (to be under the shroud)
I thought perhaps the top mount was wrong and a clubman one used - but dug into the box of bits that is the 850 - and the top mount is the same.
Thought perhaps front subframe to body fitting was misaligned - buts looks pretty even on both sides. ( and the body all looks to be straight and original )
So I am at a loss......
... and of course can't drive it like this...
- and John who sorted me out with a correct lower cowling 
)