A little bit further up but mine was done at Advance Auto Cooling on the Bath side of Bristol. Their website says they deliver into Somerset - http://www.advancedautocooling.co.uk/ - think it was about a 3 day turn around and they did a decent job - same radiator and engine as you.
They modified the existing radiator by fitting a new core - think it was a 3 core - the core ends up a bit wider so very little clearance by the steering rack but does fit. Just looked at the receipt the bad news is it was £95 + the dreaded VAT in July 2009 - not sure if that is good or bad but think I did ring around a few places. Basically dropped off a rusty old unit out the car and picked up what looked like a new radiator about 3 days later. My receipt lists it as a "special core" in Chevette Radiator, not sure if Chevette and Viva were actually the same rad anyway. They did the work themselves on site so you can at least talk to the person doing the job - was reasonably happy when I walked in and guy could tell me it was vauxhall rad etc straight away which I guess shows they have been doing it for a while :-)
Hi Steven, The company you want are Rayson Radiators of Yeovil. They are old school. Will do what you want, good quality and price. Turn around time is also good. I send all my difficult one offs to them. That said if it is an overheat problem I would really want to know it was a problem with the rad before going down this route. Rayson would do a flow test on your old unit which might be a starting point.
Dont forget that as well as sorting the rad you should ensure that there is packing around any gaps so that the airflow is forced thru the rad when driving rather than being alowed to flow past where it can. I'm also fitting a Clio electric fan as nice and shallow and comes on a handy bracket which can be modded. The current one looks a bit useless. On the subject of the original Viva rad these engines were only 1256 cc or thereabouts so your MGB is pushing it a bit anyway so 3 core is the way to go. I heard an Austin Maxi does the job but finding one might be a challange!
Thanks for the replys guys. Its fine on the long distance trials just gets abit warm on the pcts when reving abit. I have 2 fans and removed the stat. I think it is the size the of the rad as peter said. Iv changed all hoses. It will drive fine all day on the road. Thats a good point about blocking the gaps. Thank you steven.
Yeah thers loads of vents in the bonnet. Its a rebuilt engine with a unleaded head. Dads jago over heats aswell, i think its purely due to the fact the engine is being ragged around a field for upto 4 hours. I think the rad with extra cores is the way to go. Never had problems with my 1300cc dutton but that was a 1600cc rad lol.
The thermostat's restriction ensures even waterflow round the block. Without it you risk to overheat cylinders 3 & 4. Consider fitting an electric water pump if overheating problems persist (but £££!). It would be interesting to hear if your 3 core radiator does the job.
Agree 100% with Richard - DON'T remove the thermostat, that is not the answer. From my experience, and talking to others ... three core rad + electric fan, plus a good flush-through to make sure everything is working as it should, will keep an MGB-engined Marlin cool 95% of the time, nothing will solve the other 5%.
I had no choice but to remove the stat at the time cause i was on an event at the time but i would like a new 1 in ther so im hoping a 3 core will do the job. Iv just removed my radiator so will be ringing round tomorrow.
Iv just ordered a new stat. Dont be to harsh on me cause i had a stroke a week after removing the stat and learning to walk again was more important lol. Plus im really thick now aswell :(
Got my radiator. £115 plus vat so it worked out at £138. So i had it changed to a 3 core and the filler modified so it can be easily filled in a marlin. happy days. Thanks for the advice guys.
I am about to do the same, Steven would you mind posting the dimensions of the radiator and if possible a picture? I'd like to see how the filler has been modified and to see how the radiator would fit my car.Many thanks.
A thought, it might be a good idea if you were to take off your water pump and check that the impeller is OK, I have heard of ones that have rusted away.
A little bit further up but mine was done at Advance Auto Cooling on the Bath side of Bristol. Their website says they deliver into Somerset - http://www.advancedautocooling.co.uk/ - think it was about a 3 day turn around and they did a decent job - same radiator and engine as you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for replying, so did they modify your old rad, or did you get a new 1??
ReplyDeleteThey modified the existing radiator by fitting a new core - think it was a 3 core - the core ends up a bit wider so very little clearance by the steering rack but does fit. Just looked at the receipt the bad news is it was £95 + the dreaded VAT in July 2009 - not sure if that is good or bad but think I did ring around a few places. Basically dropped off a rusty old unit out the car and picked up what looked like a new radiator about 3 days later. My receipt lists it as a "special core" in Chevette Radiator, not sure if Chevette and Viva were actually the same rad anyway. They did the work themselves on site so you can at least talk to the person doing the job - was reasonably happy when I walked in and guy could tell me it was vauxhall rad etc straight away which I guess shows they have been doing it for a while :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Steven, The company you want are Rayson Radiators of Yeovil. They are old school. Will do what you want, good quality and price. Turn around time is also good. I send all my difficult one offs to them. That said if it is an overheat problem I would really want to know it was a problem with the rad before going down this route. Rayson would do a flow test on your old unit which might be a starting point.
ReplyDeleteDont forget that as well as sorting the rad you should ensure that there is packing around any gaps so that the airflow is forced thru the rad when driving rather than being alowed to flow past where it can. I'm also fitting a Clio electric fan as nice and shallow and comes on a handy bracket which can be modded. The current one looks a bit useless. On the subject of the original Viva rad these engines were only 1256 cc or thereabouts so your MGB is pushing it a bit anyway so 3 core is the way to go. I heard an Austin Maxi does the job but finding one might be a challange!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the replys guys. Its fine on the long distance trials just gets abit warm on the pcts when reving abit. I have 2 fans and removed the stat. I think it is the size the of the rad as peter said. Iv changed all hoses. It will drive fine all day on the road. Thats a good point about blocking the gaps. Thank you steven.
ReplyDeleteFrom what you say it seems the under bonnet temperature is getting high. is there anywhere for the heat to escape upwards? - Michael
ReplyDeleteYeah thers loads of vents in the bonnet. Its a rebuilt engine with a unleaded head. Dads jago over heats aswell, i think its purely due to the fact the engine is being ragged around a field for upto 4 hours. I think the rad with extra cores is the way to go. Never had problems with my 1300cc dutton but that was a 1600cc rad lol.
ReplyDeleteThe thermostat's restriction ensures even waterflow round the block. Without it you risk to overheat cylinders 3 & 4.
ReplyDeleteConsider fitting an electric water pump if overheating problems persist (but £££!).
It would be interesting to hear if your 3 core radiator does the job.
Agree 100% with Richard - DON'T remove the thermostat, that is not the answer. From my experience, and talking to others ... three core rad + electric fan, plus a good flush-through to make sure everything is working as it should, will keep an MGB-engined Marlin cool 95% of the time, nothing will solve the other 5%.
ReplyDeleteI had no choice but to remove the stat at the time cause i was on an event at the time but i would like a new 1 in ther so im hoping a 3 core will do the job. Iv just removed my radiator so will be ringing round tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteIv just ordered a new stat. Dont be to harsh on me cause i had a stroke a week after removing the stat and learning to walk again was more important lol. Plus im really thick now aswell :(
ReplyDeleteJust dropped my rad off with raysons, hope its not gonna cost to much.
ReplyDeleteGot my radiator. £115 plus vat so it worked out at £138. So i had it changed to a 3 core and the filler modified so it can be easily filled in a marlin. happy days. Thanks for the advice guys.
ReplyDeleteIt always costs more than you expect!
ReplyDeleteI am about to do the same, Steven would you mind posting the dimensions of the radiator and if possible a picture? I'd like to see how the filler has been modified and to see how the radiator would fit my car.Many thanks.
A thought, it might be a good idea if you were to take off your water pump and check that the impeller is OK, I have heard of ones that have rusted away.
Iv fitted a brand new water pump and hoses. Have you got a email address so i can mail you the pics? im rubbish with computers.
ReplyDeleteIv just uploaded the pictures onto the photo section.
ReplyDeleteits **********
ReplyDeleteits richard@houlgate.co.uk
ReplyDelete