ausmini :: View topic - alternitive radiator mounting

There is a mod you can do to the bottom shroud to make it 2 pieces. This allows very easy in and out of the radiator. Involves cutting the bottom shroud into 2 pieces, a pic is worth a thousand words, I sent some to Kev (DRMINI) sometime ago, he may still have them.

You end up with a small part of the shroud (above the bottom hose) that remains attached to the rad by the screws. The other part of the bottom shroud is set up to be bolted to the engine via the bottom mount in the normal fashion. There is a strengthening bracket under this shroud (that bottom bracket bolts to) that you DO NOT cut thru. This strengthening bracket is used to locate and support the other piece of the shroud on the radiator. A couple of locating lugs are needed here to allow this to work.

Before separating/cutting the shroud, find the spot welds on the strengthening bracket on this end and drill these right thru with approx 1/8" drill. These will be for your locating lugs. I have used machine screws about 3/8 - 1/2" long welded to the underneath of the strengthening bracket to protrude upwards. You may need to clearance the holes in the other piece of the shroud to allow it to sit over these screws/lugs, which should make the shroud sit back together as 1 piece again.
All that is needed now to remove radiator is - top and bottom hoses engine end (top hose your choice), loosen fan belt, top mount and bottom 2 shroud screws at the front of the car. Presto, rad can be lifted out.

Hopefully Kev can post pics, all will become clear.

Author:	I_AM_THE_WAHL [ Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:47 pm ]
Post subject:	alternitive radiator mounting
has any one here done an alternitive radiator suport as trying to get those damn back screws in is near impossible

Author:	gafmo [ Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:50 pm ]
Post subject:
I hear you on this one...

Author:	drmini in aust [ Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:09 pm ]
Post subject:
Leave the back screw out of the bottom support bracket- it does f/all.. I've not used one for 10 years! But I do leave the rubber grommet in the bracket..

Author:	gafmo [ Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:24 pm ]
Post subject:
Pffff I have no screws in at the moment except the top mounts...but I was think of attaching the rad to the guard some how...may be some Alloy brackets

Author:	drmini in aust [ Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:36 am ]
Post subject:
gafmo wrote: Pffff I have no screws in at the moment except the top mounts...but I was think of attaching the rad to the guard some how...may be some Alloy brackets Gaf I'm talking about the stepped mounting bolts, not the little shroud screws you don't use!! If you bolt the rad to the guard, the fan will probably hit the shroud as the engine rocks..

ausmini https://ausmini.com/forums/

alternitive radiator mounting https://ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8679	Page 1 of 2

Author:	gafmo [ Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:05 am ]
Post subject:
The two at the Bottom...yer they are a pain also....Bugger the shroud ...fling that also. Just the Rad to the Inner gaurd as is

Author:	drmini in aust [ Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:29 am ]
Post subject:
Might overheat in traffic if you fling the shroud.. Why not just fit some new 6mm nuts into your (2 core) rad surround and attach it properly.

Author:	gafmo [ Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:40 am ]
Post subject:
That to difficult I still need those clips

Author:	justminis [ Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:24 am ]
Post subject:
There is a mod you can do to the bottom shroud to make it 2 pieces. This allows very easy in and out of the radiator. Involves cutting the bottom shroud into 2 pieces, a pic is worth a thousand words, I sent some to Kev (DRMINI) sometime ago, he may still have them. You end up with a small part of the shroud (above the bottom hose) that remains attached to the rad by the screws. The other part of the bottom shroud is set up to be bolted to the engine via the bottom mount in the normal fashion. There is a strengthening bracket under this shroud (that bottom bracket bolts to) that you DO NOT cut thru. This strengthening bracket is used to locate and support the other piece of the shroud on the radiator. A couple of locating lugs are needed here to allow this to work. Before separating/cutting the shroud, find the spot welds on the strengthening bracket on this end and drill these right thru with approx 1/8" drill. These will be for your locating lugs. I have used machine screws about 3/8 - 1/2" long welded to the underneath of the strengthening bracket to protrude upwards. You may need to clearance the holes in the other piece of the shroud to allow it to sit over these screws/lugs, which should make the shroud sit back together as 1 piece again. All that is needed now to remove radiator is - top and bottom hoses engine end (top hose your choice), loosen fan belt, top mount and bottom 2 shroud screws at the front of the car. Presto, rad can be lifted out. Hopefully Kev can post pics, all will become clear.

Author:	drmini in aust [ Sat Jul 02, 2005 10:48 am ]
Post subject:
Steve it was a while ago- not in my pics now and I've probably deleted them from mail.. can U send again please..?

Author:	gafmo [ Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:42 pm ]
Post subject:
I'll have to have a good look at my spare tomorrow morning...It maybe the first mod I do for the Van...LOVE the Idea

Author:	justminis [ Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:
Thanks to Kevin for posting the pics. To make this mod successful and hassle free, it is important to ensure the engine piece of the shroud lines up with the rad on installation. Some bending of the 3mm steel monting bracket may be required. What you want is this part of the shroud sitting in the right place to line up with the rad when you put it in, not at an angle that puts pressure on the 2 piece shroud or the rad. I have down this mod to my minis for some years now (inc race mini) and never had a problem. Given the pain in the ##se job removing the rad normally is, getting a rad in and out with this mod is an absolute pleasure and still amazes me how easy and trouble free a job it is now. Enjoy! PS - every person who uses this mod must send me $5.00

Author:	I_AM_THE_WAHL [ Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:
this definatly looks like the way to go will see about doing it soon as it looks like the motor may be coming out soon any way

Page 1 of 2	All times are UTC + 10 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/