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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 - TD Radiator Needed

Reinstalled the53's radiator after giving it a fresh coat of paint. Was going well until I got about about 2 inches from the top. A leak showed up. Danged! Took it to a radiator repair shop to have it repaired. They called a few minutes ago and said, "forget it". The car hadn't sat for almost 40 years with some coolant still in the radiator. Whatever was in there almost ate its way through the cores. The top and bottom tanks are fine. The cost to recore it is $460. Ugh! Anybody have one at a more reasonable price? Bud
Bud Krueger

That is cheap for a recore. Mine was done two years ago and it was 600 bucks. That is for a modern recore.
Tom Maine (TD8105)

Tom, can you elaborate on 'modern recore'? Bud
Bud Krueger

I had all new coring put in. More rows than the original. Used modern coils and the old shell. Fit like a glove. Three of us in the club have had that done and it seems to eliminate the overheating problems that the three of us had. Mine now runs maybe 90 on the hottest day during the longest runs. I am happy with it, not the price but heck a new one is expensive to.
Tom Maine (TD8105)

I'll pick it up tomorrow and see what's being proposed. One thing's for sure -- it's not in my budget today. All I'm trying to do is get this car together so that I can rid of it. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud, did you try Abingdon? I was there last week and did not see any, but then again I was not looking for radiators. eBay is worth a look too.
-David
D. Sander

I'll be giving A/S a call tomorrow. The one I have in Lazarus was provided by Gerry. It had been dropped on its head. So far, all I've seen on eBay seem to be of very questionable quality. Bud
Bud Krueger

This is missing parts. The mounting bracket across the bottom. However it may go cheep and with what you have it could work.

280754380551

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Thanks, Jim. I do have all the hardware. I've asked if it'll hold water. Something about that seller that I'm just not comfortable with. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud, If you just have a leak or two and you are going to move the car, why not pinch off and/or solder the offending tube(s) shut? You can do that yourself perhaps. George
George Butz

My son restored my rad to new condition. Remade the top L bracket where the brass plate is, new 4 row copper core and straightened the two tanks and side brackets. Wouldn't charge me any labor and his material bill alone was over $425. The cost of rad repair is much higher today mostly due to the EPAs restrictions on disposal of chemicals used in the process. It has forced some out of the business. PJ

The old and new'


P. Jennings

I got it back from the shop. They say that the tubes are too corroded to take solder. For that they charged me $35. They'd have been happy to fix the leak for $125, so I suspect that their analysis is real. But, at this stage what do I have to lose by digging out a torch, some flux and some lead?
Oh David, nothing at A/S, except at $1,149. Bud
Bud Krueger

Played plumber. Tubes will absolutely not accept solder. Too much corrosion. No one thought to drain the coolant when the car sat for 30+ years. Clipped off the obviously leaking tube and soldered up the holes in the upper and lower tanks. Figured that it wouldn't miss one out of 90 some tubes. Reinstalled the radiator and filled it. No apparent leaks. Started the engine and let it run until it warmed. The upper inch or so of the fins were wet from seepage. Yecchh! Bud
Bud Krueger

Worth a try. I would offer you my original core in the attic, but it is in the same shape as yours- a seeping weeping non-repairable mess. George
George Butz

This thread was discussed between 17/10/2011 and 20/10/2011

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