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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Staying Cool

I'm in the process of doing a 3.5 swap into a 75 B and have been looking at radiators and locations. I've read that several people seem to use 1965 Falcon radiators for this and was wondering if anyone has a Ford part # and or web site for purchasing one? Also what mods are necessary to fit it in. Does anyone sell a kit for this?

Paul
Paul Waters

Hi

I used a 63 3 row Ford Falcon Radiator bought from Amboy Auto Radiator 320 Convery Blvd Perth Amboy NJ 08861.
Sorry no web address or part number.
I bought it in 2000 for 143.50 + freight. I would think that these rads are easily available in California as well

I had to cut the flange off and fabricate wider ones to suit my 74.5 MGB. An easy job even with my limited welding skills.

The rad has worked well for me and I added a 300CFM fan from Rainbow Auto Products www.rainbowproductsonline.com Click on 'Products' and then 'Cooling Fans'



These radiators like to run with just the top of the cores covered and use the expansion tank at the top of the rad for the heated/expanded water.
However I added an external expansion tank and it is now a closed sytem.
I also had a drain cock added to the bottom.

FWIW

Bruce
Bruce Mills

Sorry, that should have read 3000CFM fan
Bruce Mills

Hi Bruce,
I have the same rad, what rad hoses did you use
Tony
Tony Bates

Hi

The upper rad hose is SS Braided Teflon lined and was scrap at a local pulp mill where I was working.
For a few years I had a combination of a couple of different hose's and a copper (plumbing) fitting to make the lower rad hose work. Now I have one of those thin walled flex-able hose's.


Bruce

Bruce Mills

Hi, Paul,
To elaborate a bit on Bruce's post; I'm using the '64-'65 Falcon/Mustang V8 radiator in my conversion, and I found it to be successful. It will mount between the "frame" rails with a little trimming of the flanges. I fabricated a dropped pan to duct all the air coming from the grille into the radiator as it's taller than the stock MGB unit. These radiators are available from any radiator shop. I think I paid about $130. I searched the Gates catalog and found that I could accommodate the larger (1-3/4") lower hose connection by using a combination of Gates #21511 and Gates #20704. these two hoses were cut and joined with an 1-1/2" brass sink drain tail piece and hose clamps. As a bonus, the cutoff from the Gates #20704 makes a perfect top hose. I'm using a 3000CFM pusher and have had no cooling problems.

C Jones

another picture:

C Jones

Paul,

Another option: I had a custom rad made up for my 3.5-powered '77 roadster. 20" tall, 4-core rad, stock width, ST spoiler to force air into the lower portion. Twin RB cooling fans in the stock location. Rad hoses are segmented, metal and bendable to any configuration.

This link shows the install:

http://www.britishv8.org/MG/SimonAustin.htm

So far, this set-up with the addition of the RV8 headers and scoop has worked very well in keeping things cool.

Cheers
Simon
Simon Austin

C-,
Thanks for the the information and the hose part numbers they will come in handy. I wanted to go with the Falcon radiator because I think it will be a lower cost than some of the racing radiators others use. Right now I'm on a tight budget and trying to stretch each dollar. I'm going to check National Parts Depot as I know they sell mustang parts and are near me.

Paul
Paul Waters

This thread was discussed between 10/10/2007 and 15/10/2007

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