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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Aluminium radiator for my TF

I’ve just discovered a leak in the radiator of my TF. Not too much yet, but not something I should leave unattended.

The local radiator shop can repair it, but won’t guarantee the work because the radiator is 65 years old and should probably be re-cored at a cost of $350 plus 4 hours labour. By the time I get it back, it will be $500.

So I Googled “aluminium radiators for MG TF” and came up with https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Radiator-Fit-MG-TF-1953-1955-1-3L-1-5L-Silver-Spray/163657479310?fits=Model%3ATF%7CMake%3AMG&hash=item261abef48e:g:RfwAAOSw6JZcuoZX “Winner_Racing_Spares” for $284 + $50 shipping.

Has anybody tried one of these?

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

B&G want £288 for an exchange recon original rad here. I had mine rebuilt by a local specialist for less than that. I would be concerned about corrosion with an aluminium rad, even though they are used in modern cars, but with a different type of inhibitor.
Dave H
Dave Hill

I recall reading in the archives issues with replacement aluminum thermostat housing getting all clogged up and corroded?

Unsure if an aluminum rad is the way to go.

I'd bite the bullet and restore the original one.

Less headaches.

Frank

TF 1414

Frank Cronin

I PAID £170 LOCALLY FOR A REPLACEMENT ON MY 1500TF WITH AN INCREASED NUMBER OF CORES I SEEM TO REMEMBER IT WAS FROM 20 TO 25 SO A 25% INCREASE IN COOLING
JK Mazgaj

Gord,
You will be hard-pressed to find anyone who can weld/solder aluminum if you spring a leak, especially out in the middle of nowhere.
Tyler
C.T. Irwin

£170 sounds like a sensible price, but I suspect that's not a recent price. In any event its reasonably close.

If I don't get a positive feel for the alloy jobbie, I'll just rebuild my spare.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

I had mine re-cored 12 years ago locally with an additional row. Not cheap but I'm very happy with the results.
L E D LaVerne

Hi Gord. Radiator work was carried out by Ken Allen radiators in Plymouth UK. Took the rad from my 1500 in for flushing and pressure testing and whilst in conversation told me that he could infact upgrade the rad for £170. This was earlier this year. I've no relationship with this guy other than a previous happy customer. He'd previously cut out the back of the fuel tank of my 1250 TF derusted etc. and welded back in place and primed.
JK Mazgaj

I am always wary of products that suddenly flood the market - they almost always seem to represent a step DOWN in terms of quality and value.

Alu radiators from China seem to fit that bill, based on what I see on eBay.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

... still vacillating. Problem is with delivery - probably abt 6 weeks or more as most Chinese suppliers use consolidation services to keep the costs to a minimum. Have a daughter working in Beijing. She's coming home in a couple of weeks. Maybe I can work something ...

Thanks everybody.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

The EBay picture has holes in places that my TF radiator does not.

Has anybody bought one? I don’t need one.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Had mine recored with an extra row core. 90 degree days, slow traffic on asphault and it never gets too hot. I personally wouldn't use an aluminum rad on an antique car, especally one that sets a lot. PJ




PJ Jennings

This thread was discussed between 10/06/2019 and 12/06/2019

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