I changed from stock 3 core to ebay 2 core alloy $85. Massive difference.
Way better cooling and I am running boost so engine is working hard
(The 3 core was new when I put it in by the way)

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1310 SC 1969 Morris Deluxe - 15psi boost
1293 1968 Morris Deluxe Miglia - 45 Weber
HSV Maloo Z Series - Comp Cam - 300rwkw
Ford DF LTD - 5Ltr

Can I ask what temp yours sits on in stop start traffic in warmer months? Mine will edge up to 195 - 200.

After reading these posts, I thought that I may as well try one of the e-bay aluminium radiators.

My "S" ran on normal as long as I sat above 55 MPH. As soon as I slowed down for a sharp corner or in town, the temperature gauge would go up to at least 3/4. As soon as I went back over 55MPH, the temperature gauge would drop back on normal. More often than not, by the time that I had driven through town and then slowly into the garage, it was very close to boiling. Old radiator was a new 3 core Special from Minisport.

Just took it for a run with the new aluminium radiator. Current outside temperature is about 30 degrees. It seems to run marginally cooler at 60MPH. There is a real difference when I slow down. Through town at 35MPH, it now sits on about 2/3 instead of 3/4. When I parked in the garage, it went up to 3/4 and if I increased revs to about 1500, you could see that it very slightly got cooler.

I am very pleased. For about $100, it was a bargain.

Regards Jon

Generally an engine should not differ in temp whether highway or around town or even stationary for that matter.
A rise would indicate a problem with the fan or perhaps the pump or partially blocked rad.

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Cheers Dave.

I thought exactly the same thing.

Attempting to cure overheating problems by fitting a different radiator is pretty common. Sometimes the issue is elsewhere - faulty or incorrect water pump (wrong impeller), clogged water jacket in the block, head or hoses, etc.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Way too common. There is a mini I help with that has cooling issues after fitting a rebuilt engine, the owner was told by multiple club members to put in an aluminium radiator. They claimed things like "new engines create more heat" etc. Of course it changed nothing at all, the old radiator had cooled the previous engine perfectly fine and it had a melted piston for ages. The radiator is the last thing I would check.

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1986 Mayfair (998 auto), 1974 S, 1974 Van, 1972 PMG Van

Too many minis

I was going to add... the best radiator for an engine is one that's attached to an engine that is clean and properly set up, they ran at Bathurst with standard radiators... but I'm in Brisbane for a while, I brought my mini with me - I went for a drive up and down hills with one of the qld clubs last weekend, then spent a while sweating in traffic - the temp gauge sits on ~85 degrees... ebay 50mm rad



Quite likely that there's cool air getting to the back of the temp gauge - I had that problem once, very misleading

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

I had that with the fuel gauge it was the voltage stabiliser vibrating with road vibes in the body. An electronic stabiliser fixed it.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I have been looking to update my radiator as I'm pretty sure I gummed it up with headgasket goo a while back..

I dislike the look of aluminium radiators.

I understand that the copper radiators that come out of the UK are pretty average. (Minispares made?)

Is an Aussie Cooper S Radiator is a good option?

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1964 MORRIS 850 - POST ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE CAFE RACER INSPIRED.

https://spotify.link/D0P4KtIP2yb

1098 +0.40
266 Kent Cam
GR Flat top pistons
HS6
1.3:1 Roller tip rockers
Stupid high CR

I dislike the alloy radiators too but they are 1/3 the price of getting a genuine one cleaned where I am.
I'm running my original 70 mini radiator and it works fine on the 1360 with or without the matic fresh air heater in circuit. It's been cleaned out twice in the 30 years I've owned it.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I’ve had a couple of the “super 2 core” Minispares ones and they’ve been decent

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Next time I need one I am going to try find if there are ones made in Japan.

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1986 Mayfair (998 auto), 1974 S, 1974 Van, 1972 PMG Van

Too many minis