Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011
Posted 14 July 2015 - 10:37 AM
My Mk.1 'S' rally car runs a standard original type 'S' radiator and it is absolutely fine. The proper original 'S' rad was always fine, even on very powerful engines. I run a 6-blade export fan with an electric auxiliary fan which is only ever needed in very hot weather when stuck in a queue.
Personally I would never run an aluminium radiator from an unknown source as the engine is too valuable to risk, but everyone can make their own decisions on this.
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 14 July 2015 - 01:25 PM
well, i always heard (and read in the blue vizards book) that cooling was inadequate when you are in hit weather and a traffic jam
I have to dissagree on 1 part, the standard rad for the cooper S was insufficent.
In what way? Every single Mini to leave the factory, up to Mpi, ran the 3 core rad without any trouble. If there was an endemic issue, the factory would have dealt with it. The only time the factory changed anything was with the use of a 'hot climate' fan on some export models. Even the later models, where an electric fan was fitted, rarely saw the additional fan kick in.
Fundamentally, if your standard Mini overheats, there is a cooling system fault. The solution is to locate the fault and correct it. Not fit an oversized radiator and hide the, still existing, fault.
Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011
Posted 14 July 2015 - 04:00 PM
well, i always heard (and read in the blue vizards book) that cooling was inadequate when you are in hit weather and a traffic jam
I have to dissagree on 1 part, the standard rad for the cooper S was insufficent.
In what way? Every single Mini to leave the factory, up to Mpi, ran the 3 core rad without any trouble. If there was an endemic issue, the factory would have dealt with it. The only time the factory changed anything was with the use of a 'hot climate' fan on some export models. Even the later models, where an electric fan was fitted, rarely saw the additional fan kick in.
Fundamentally, if your standard Mini overheats, there is a cooling system fault. The solution is to locate the fault and correct it. Not fit an oversized radiator and hide the, still existing, fault.
Not so if the cooling system is in good order, the correct thermostat is fitted and the water pump is a 'cast-impeller' type with the correct size pulley.
There was never a cooling problem with the original Cooper 'S' which had a better radiator than a standard 850. Then the radiator was standardised at the one for the 'S' in all the Minis.
They only overheat if the cooling system is in some way lacking, but the Mini parts businesses would have you believe otherwise, as with lots of Mini stuff.
There are many myths about original parts and how we drove 25000 to 30000 miles per annum in cars like the 'S' back in the 60's with standard parts is a mystery if you read some of the ads around in the two 'comics'.
Super Mini Mad
Posted 14 July 2015 - 04:25 PM
...........but the Mini parts businesses would have you believe otherwise, as with lots of Mini stuff.
Some of the Mini parts businesses 
Edited by ado15, 14 July 2015 - 04:26 PM.
Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011
Posted 14 July 2015 - 06:00 PM
...........but the Mini parts businesses would have you believe otherwise, as with lots of Mini stuff.
Some of the Mini parts businesses
I take your point.
Not that I blame the vendors as they have a living to make, but some vendors sell special parts as vital when, in fact, they might be 'nice to have if you can afford them', but vital they ain't.
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 14 July 2015 - 06:32 PM
Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011
Posted 14 July 2015 - 06:48 PM
We all know you need 6 pot calipers and coil springs all round to have a succesfull 1380 engine.. ;)
Well said. And you absolutely daren't go out without Hi-Lo's, adjustable camber brackets, Minifin alloy rear drums, braided steel brake hoses, straight cut drop gears, - the list is long. All very nice unless you are on a budget, in which case completely unnecessary for a road car.
Super Mini Mad
Posted 15 July 2015 - 11:27 AM
I've always maintained, and advised customers, that for a fun road car all you need is totally standard components. They just need to be of good quality and in good condition. Then you will have a fun Mini.
One area where I do suggest mods will transform a later car is replacing the rubber front subframe mounts with solid. Then the front suspension will work the way it was intended.
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