Hi ausminiers!

I have a question about radiator types. I recently purchased a replacement alloy radiator only to discover it was a different type to my existing one (I had no idea there were more than one type, being the newb that I am).



To change over to the new one, am I correct in assuming that I need only change the thermostat housing and top and bottom radiator hoses to suit? Or is there a good reason I should stay with the older radiator type?

Many thanks,

Ben

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'77 Leyland Mini Van

The old radiator is 1978? The alloy one fits pre 78.
Sure a change of thermostat housing and hoses will fit if you don't have an air pump.

The radiator on the left is from a 77/78 model mini with a reverse thermostat, the one on the right is a front pointing thermostat which suits any other mini apart from a 77/78 model, easy solution is to change the thermostat husing to a front point type.

Doogie

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I won Hay once, here's the pic to prove it..


Hay, it's not about the car, it's not about the venue, it's about the people that come here. Peter Dwyer, Mayor of Hay NSW.

It is a '77 with an air pump, so that means that the forward facing thermostat radiator wont work then?

There must be a way around buying a new radiator. What if I extend the heater hose and reverse the bottom radiator hose to have the connection on the bottom of the hose?

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'77 Leyland Mini Van

Actually, I had no idea what I was talking about. There is no air pump. Disregard the previous post, please.

Thanks Doogie and TK for your advice!

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'77 Leyland Mini Van

I would check the thermo Housing in the photo

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" A Hundred Years From Now It will not Matter what my Bank Acount Was,
The Sort Of House I Lived in, Or The Kind Of Car I drove ... But The World May Be A Better Place
Because I was Once Important In The Life Of A Child"

yeah it looks like an early housing to me too John

& you may need to stuff with the top radiator bracket too

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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, John and Matt! I'll see how the bracket lines up once I get it all in! I assume it's not too different?

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'77 Leyland Mini Van

Im sure your Right Matt.

I remember when i changed the radiator on my 78 mini i had to change the top radiator bracket as the holes were in the wrong spot.

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