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MG MGA - MGA Twin Cam bottom Radiator Hose

Any experience from owners would be welcome. I'm just in the process of replacing some very suspect coolant hoses on my Twin Cam (replacements from Classic Silicone Hoses, old style wrap type) and have come to what looks likely to be the difficult one, the bottom rad to engine hose. There is only about a one inch gap between the radiator 29mm spigot and the 35mm one from the engine, to get the 3 and a half inch length hose in between and plugged on to each. Before I try wangling and damaging the hose, how have others done this?
Bruce.
Bruce Mayo



Good luck is all I can say Bruce. This is an awful job on a twin cam. If only the gap between the radiator and the front tray was larger.
I've seen some cars, nicely folded about 10mm over of the front oil cooler tray panel,which would help considerably.

Some soap on the rubber helps.

Someone wrote an article and posted it to the yahoo group a year or two back which may help.

Good luck.... It's at 2-3 beer job on a good day.

Mark
Mark Hester

Mark
Greetings and thanks for the quick response. My first look suggests there can be little forward movement of the radiator even if I unbolt it. Is that what you are saying also? So it's just a wangle and grunt job then?
Bruce.
Bruce Mayo

Unbolt the rad and wiggle it up. Put the hose on the rad side and pull the hose down towards the alu extension part. This will allow a bit more space to wangle the hose. Spray both ends first with WD 40 or similar to make the rubber slide better.
If the alu extension is corroded You can take off the first few mm. to give more clearance.
The tensioners can be attained with a screwdiver through the bottom opening in the wheel well.
If You are lucky, it's a 30min job.
If You are not,You could lose a full day and several hoses,(Been trough when the alu extension was damaged and cut in the hose(corrosion),hence my advice to cut it off when corroded.
Succes!
Dirk/Antwerp
D. Van Ussel

Thanks guys. First a cup of tea then out to do battle! Will report back.
Bruce.
Bruce Mayo

Success! Job done. In case it helps anyone else - as Dirk said above, it can't be done, realistically, without unbolting the radiator. On mine I took five of the holding bolts out, leaving the top one loose but still attached on the opposite side of the car from the bottom hose. Then the bottom hose side of the radiator can be swung upwards, only an inch or so, but enough to plug the hose onto one of the spigots. As the radiator cannot be moved forward, unfortunately, then it's just a very ugly and non-professional wrestling match to persuade the other end of the hose into the gap and eventually onto the other spigot. Not my proudest moment and lots of cringing at the contortions forced upon the poor old hose! Fortunately the modern silicone hose is a lot more flexible and malleable than an old style, hard rubber hose. It looks undamaged and ready to go.
Bruce.
Bruce Mayo

This thread was discussed on 27/12/2014

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