Hi,
im up for a new radiator, anyone had experience with the aluminium radiators on ebay. they seem too cheap not sure the quality is going to be great on them and will they fit in the standard shroud? or should I be looking at one from say mini sport?

thanks

I can't speak for the ebay ones, but the originals can be repaired very cheaply.

I had the tanks removed and cleaned on mine and a new core fitted. good as new and only cost about $200.

Ryan

_________________
Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

There's been a few of them used around here. You don't hear many comments about them, apart from the fact they're being used....so that may be a good thing...(?) They've been around a few years, so some long term experiences should be good.

I'm with Ryan. The originals can be claened and rodded out if they're in good shape. Copper is still copper after 50 years. Last one I had done cost a little under 90 dollars and does good service on a 1330 in the summer heat.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I know a few people that are running them , no drama's , they work well .

There has been quite a few posts on here about these radiators , and the general consensus is that they are well worth the money .

I've been tempted to buy one as a spare to put on the shelf , they are cheap enough .

I brought one of the ebay $115 cheap alloy radiators. This has been its second summer now and no dramas what so ever. Engine temp sits on 85 degrees, even on a 40 degree day. I fitted an expansion tank as it has that type of radiator cap fitted. No coolant top ups since I fitted it.
I got the 60mm wide one (50mm wide core) which was NOT a straight fit. I had to cut a bit off the fan shroud and lengthen fan shroud mounting holes to get it in. No cutting required on the body side though.
I must say I am on the whole happy with it.

_________________
1963 Morris 850

I got a "Super 2 Core" from Karcraft - about $230 and it fits perfectly and looks pretty close to a stock one. You could buy 2 ebay alloy ones for that much. I didn't think it was worth it in the end - one dodgy join or weld could not just cost you another radiator, but another engine too...

_________________

My ebay one has been pretty good in the short time I have had it. I used the original shroud, but if I remember correctly the holes didn't quite line up with where they had welded the bosses. Simple enough to fix, I just drilled the holes in the shroud into slots

_________________
'77 Leyland Mini Van

Hey mate. I really skimped cause I was worried about the quality ofthem. I bought a $79 one. The only bad thing I can say about itis it took them 3 weeks to get it too me. Really good quality welding good flow. No leaks.

Worth a shot I say.

_________________
The best part of fixing your mini is the test drive

Minis..

1976 van daily drive
1975 van
1968 deluxe in the shed
1967 deluxe high strung 1310
1959 austin healey sprite

had mine in for a couple of years now, no dramas, looks rather spiffy too!

_________________
Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

had mine in 4 yrs, no problem, looks good & is light weight

_________________
1275

Are there any cooling advantages to alloy radiators?

I would have thought copper was hard to beat!

Alloy supposably transfers heat better. Plus they look better

_________________
The best part of fixing your mini is the test drive

Minis..

1976 van daily drive
1975 van
1968 deluxe in the shed
1967 deluxe high strung 1310
1959 austin healey sprite

They certainly look good. I might research more on the heat transfer properties of alloy, cheers Rodney

A normal old style radiator has brass or steel tubes and headers,brass tanks and copper fins . Copper is MUCH better at heat transfer than aluminium, about the best you can get , the only reason they are using aluminium now is that it is much cheaper ,lighter and cheaper to manufacture a radiator, everything is just welded together ,rather than the time consuming task of soldering everything . Its not too bad at heat transfer although nowhere near as good as copper

Edit: Some large earthmoving equipment and haul pack trucks etc. often have copper tubes and steel tanks . Large bulldozers use steel tubes and headers, for strength in a tough environment ,with copper fins

_________________
1965 Morris 850
1966 Morris Mini Minor
1967 Morris Cooper 'S'
1977 Leyland LS

I stand corrected. Cheers aj

_________________
The best part of fixing your mini is the test drive

Minis..

1976 van daily drive
1975 van
1968 deluxe in the shed
1967 deluxe high strung 1310
1959 austin healey sprite