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...

There's some give in the bolts holding the lower radiator mounts to the engine. You can try and move the radiator about once you have looseend these a little. Same trick can be done with the other mounts under the radiator and on the thermostat.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

There are at least 2 different bottom and top brackets depending whether for Clubby or roundy. If you have the wrong ones in a roundy it gives this problem as they push the radiator further out from the motor..

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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.

There are Three different lower Radiator Lower cowls, If you look from the side of the cowl you will notice that the bracket that secures the lower mount to the radiator can be located in three different positions
1.. almost flush with the front edge
2... aprox the centre
3... towards the rear
there are also at least three different types of lower brackets

If it`s fouling at the top, then you can "adjust" the upper rad bracket somewhat,,, in otherwords you can oval-ate the mounting holes where it bolts to the thermostat housing,,,

i could go on about all the different brakets & all the play avaliable to sort things with regards to the lower end & loosening the engine mount bracket & body miss-alignments & & & etc etc etc--->, but if it`s the top that`s fouling then just get a die grinder or even a drill & make the mounting holes at the thermostat end of the upper rad bracket oval & pull the radiator in towards the engine a tad, & then re-tighten it ... job done, easy-peasy

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

Thanks for the answers and ideas ....

It's the top that's fouling .... (it was the bottom I had problems with last time on another car - and John who sorted me out with a correct lower cowling )

In this case the bottom looks fine - just the top that is causing grief....

Must admit had been thinking along the modify a top bracket to fit as TheMiniMan describes... as I have multiples of these the same - so if I work out what is going on can replace back a correct unmodifed bracket. (or fit the right bracket if this type turns out to be the wrong one.)