Hello all.
I had high hopes for this past weekend, planning to have the radiator flushed,
re-bush my front suspension, and adjust my valves and carbs. Well, I pulled
the radiator early Saturday morning & took it to the shop. By noon the guy
called me back with the bad news: the core was irreparable. The only solution
was to have it re-cored. "My supplier isn't open until Monday, so I'll call
them first thing and then call you with a price." Well, okay. Wifey says I
can take her Volvo to work.
FF to Monday morning; just arrived to work. The phone rings, and Mr. Radiator
Shop says "Your car must be a hot rod of some sort, huh?" Huh? No, I think
not. About as stock as could be. Eligible, in fact, for the new "Original"
class at the upcoming LBC Shows. "Well, the books all show 3-row cores for
MGBs, with very few exceptions, but yours definitely has a 4-row in it." He
notes the displacement and induction system for reference. "My supplier has
3-rows in stock, but they haven't had the demand for a 4-row in quite some time,
and will have to fabricate one." This translates as more $$$.
So the questions are:
1. Was my car ('74 MGB Roadster) originally fitted with a 3-row or a 4-row
radiator? Were there, in fact, a "few exceptions", and if so, for what
purpose?
2. Should I go for the 3-row or 4-row? I'm not a millionaire, so the 3-row is
more economical. But I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, which has a
six-month long summer, with temperatures approaching 100F at times. Nice
roadster territory, but demanding on the cooling system. Mr. Radiator
quoted me $180 for the 3-row; approximately $280 for the 4-row.
I need to call this guy back today or tomorrow; anybody have instant answers?
At least I got the valves adjusted, and half of the front suspension done.
-todd
todd@mudbug.nrlssc.navy.mil
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