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MG MGA - Front Apron?....does it have any useful function?

I have often wondered what this apron shelf in front of the radiator achieves ..ie why is it there ?
It horribly restricts access , does not support anything and would seem to be a considerable restriction to airflow .
Would appreciate comments ...and has anyone removed it ( affect?)
Neil Ferguson

I have seen one car with it cut out. It did not run any cooler apparently
dominic clancy

Neil,

The radiator has an air resistance to the air coming in the front grille.
The air flow will always follow the path of least resistance and so will come in through the grille and go out where the apron is missing, not passing through the radiator.
Note that for MGA's without a heater MG also fit a blanking plate over the hole at the side of the radiator where air normally feeds to the heater.
For the same reason as the apron.

Mick
M F Anderson

Agree somewhat re airflow .....ie ram effect ......but air volume coming through slats will go up tremendously and still has to turn through 90 deg downwards. In front of the radiator so I would consider there is a good chance that All that is needed is a short ledge just in front of the radiator to get considerable air rate increase....and ram effect.
Neil Ferguson

Partly a body stiffening brace, and partly to force air through the radiator. I would not remove it.
Steve S

No, Mick is right - you need the pan as a duct to the radiator.

If you don't believe that ducting to prevent air from escaping around the sides of the rad is effective, remove the felt pad that seals between the bonnet and radiator some time.

Or if you don't have it, as many don't, buy one and install it and watch the drop in temperature.
Bill Spohn

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2013 and 19/04/2013

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