Radiator

[claymanhotshot]

My roadster has an mgb 1.8 engine. The rad is from a viva I believe, but it is always running hot and the kenlow fan cant kkep up.
Does anyone have an uprated rad or a landcrab for sale? thanks!

[stevejgreen]

Re: Radiator

If you search the forum under overheating roadsters you will find loads of information about curing the problem.
Probably the most asked about subject........
Perhaps the best starting point is to remove the existing rad and have an additional core fitted. Searching the forum will probably locate a company in your area that can carry out the work.

[cameronfurnival]

Re: Radiator

Hi Gary - cfurnival (at) btinternet dot com :-)

[lil_red_roadster]

Re: Radiator

Having been researching options to Viva/Landcrab/expensive custom made here are some OEM alternatives. The first is a Merc 190 item...one of our Dutch members (Pierre or Frans...not sure which) was trying to fit one but as he hasn't posted in a while I'm not sure of progress (inlets were awkwardly positioned). He also suggested a BMW E30 318 item...which from sizing up looks like it might be a tight squeeze. Both BM & Merc items come in various sizes depending on CC & whether AC fitted etc. Always look for the smallest..! Search under Nissens on eBay and they supply nice scale drawings.

But the best candidate I've found is a Honda Civic (91-95)...which is actually narrower than the Viva and only slightly taller. The VTi version (for a 1.6) comes with a standard ally 26mm core.

The best news is that all-ally uprated versions are available (at about half the cost of a custom-built job) with thicker cores. It would mean adding a surround to duct all the air correctly and some fiddling to add some brackets, but at less than £200 for an all-ally 45mm cored rad with 32mm spigots I might ask Santa if I can have one.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nissens-Aluminium-Radiator-HONDA-CIVIC-1-6-VTi-91-95-/180372040443?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles _CarParts_SM&hash=item29ff02eafb

http://www.japshop.co.uk/acatalog/civic_96-00_cooling.html This 45mm cored item is actually cheaper than the "standard" Nissens 26mm item.

So they are some options out there.

[claymanhotshot]

Re: Radiator

Thanks for everyones help. Funny enough my cousin has a civic rad! I hope he still has it anyway. Im guessing these are good at cooling due to them being more modern.
What rad do you have cameron?

[cameronfurnival]

Re: Radiator

Its from a Maxi 1750cc, has the cowling for the fan and holds about 4.5 l of coolant. Its New Old Stock. These rads for front engined BLMC cars were pretty good as they were often found sideways in the engine bay (like the Mini). And carry a goodly amount of liquid. With an electric fan and placed in a marlin nose they should work fabulously. If youwant it to try it thats fine just send it back if you dont like it :-)
HOwever, im off to Greece for a week so wont be able to sort anything out till 1st Aug. HOpe this helps.

[claymanhotshot]

Re: Radiator

Thats fine. If you could contact me when your back (claymanhotshot(at)yahoo.co.uk) and let me know what you want for the rad and to post it. Thanks

[Pierre_Smits]

Re: Radiator

Hi,I see my name mentioned in one of the postings :-). True Ive been not that active up to now. Today troubles started again... big troubles!
My mercedes 190 radiator was quite a succes in the beginning however, the original in- and outlet were not positioned ideal. Therefore, I changed them: closed the outlet and positioned it from the side to the back. Unforunately, the polyamide is very hard to glue (even with special PA-glue). If you want to use a MB 190 radiator you better have it customised: remove the black polyamide parts (top and bottom) and have those replaced with aluminum including the correct positions for the in or- outlet.

Yesterday, I re-changed the MB190rad for a standard 2core viva which had been in a 1800Marina before (Thanks Lee!) The car kept quite cool today during the ride with 100km/h, about 90-95degrees. When you like to drive fast (120km/h or 4000rpm + )you better install the 3 core MB! This will keep the engine cooler.
I think I have found the real reason why my car went that hot before. Something inside the engine was wrong! This caused probably a lot of friction (although it sounded mechanically fine). My final result was skocking: a 5cm hole in the engine! it bursted open (or how do you say that in English?) close by the oil filter. I guess the connecting rod has come through the engine wall (lots of oil on the road...). I do not want to scare you, but installing a large radiator is only a solution when you are sure the rest of the car is fine!! I learned it the hard way. (maybe I am wrong and today's troubles are caused by something completely else but I think it is something to consider...)
good luck!

[stevejgreen]

Re: Radiator

Sorry to hear about that con rod failure.
Perhaps it's time for a complete new engine. Perhaps an opportunity for a Zetec.
Con rod failure is very rare and usually related to lack of lubrication rather than overheating though it is difficult to prove which happened in your case.
A larger capacity and perhaps an aluminium cored rad with greater cooling capacity must be a good thing.
A starting point could be to drain and re-fill the cooling system with as much antifreeze as possible, a trick used by Spitfire engineers in the 1940's.

[lil_red_roadster]

Re: Radiator

Ouch...that's really bad luck Pierre. I hope you can get back on the road soon...with any kind of rad..!

Even though the circumstances aren't the best we now know MB190 rads offer an alternative and a standard MB core with custom headers could be cheaper than a fully-built custom job.

[r.wood970]

Re: Radiator

Re Viva radiator. I have had trouble with my Marlin overheating but hopefully have found the solution. I have part exchanged my old Viva radiator for an uprated Triple Core Viva radiator for only £90.. I have an 1800 B series and the radiator seems to cope (fitted new thermostat and 30% coolant) Dixon Radiators, Crown Point, Hyde Road, DENTON
Manchester M34 3AG 0161 336 2705 Give him a call he is a classic car radiator specialist and a great bloke. If anyone needs a Viva radiator for uprating I have a spare