Lower radiator mount, yes no?

[Russell]

Graham Moag is making me a new radiator for my ’58 Brum, and has asked if I want the lower mount omitting to aid internal flow. What’s everyones thoughts?

[Barrie]

Ask Dave Bushell, he has a late Scott

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Barrie.

[Stan Thomas]

Hi Russell,

I would not advocate not providing the standard three-point fitting of the rad, as it weighs quite a bit (especially when filled with water)to hang on just two fixing points. Bear this in mind given the vibration and shock-loads involved in the light of brass having a tendency to age-harden and ultimately crack.

In point of fact, I’m not too endeared with the three-point system as it is anyway – and on my Scott I’ve brazed threated bosses to the frame and threaded the through-studs to form solid right-angled fixings for the rad to positively locate on, which eliminates the rhomboidal stresses of the rad hanging on to studs which otherwise droop down at an indescriminate angle.

Give it some thought.

Regards,

Stan Thomas.

P.S.

Don’t forget to earth the rad to the frame to reduce furring up!!

[dave bushell]

I agree with Stan. The rad needs all the support it can get. I must admit that on my Brum I don’t use the lower mounting hole but rely on thick wall hose that is cut to provide very tight fit between cylinder head and rad and provides good weight support for the rad without stressing it. The two upper mounts are mainly used to locate the radiator.

[Roy Fisher]

My “Brum” which I bought some 10 years ago came without mounting holes in the radiator which I believe was made by Jack Butterworth, presumably to specific instructions from the then owner. This same previous owner had constructed a supporting platform which could have been a part of the Forth Bridge it was so ugly and over engineered. I had no choice but to fabricate a replacement platform which utilises one of the radiator bolts to attach it to the front of the frame. The radiator sits on a thin but strong steel platform with Velcro to hold it in place. It has worked well, the Velcro is totally hidden and the whole platform is virtually invisible. The total weight of the radiator is taken by its base. The coolant hoses help of course.

Roy.F

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by Roy Fisher.

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