MGA overheating is a subject that gets a lot of discussion, apparently
there are a lot of cars out there that have a problem with this. On the
way back from NAMGAR GT-22 in Dallas, where temperatures approached 100
degrees, my MkII never got over 200 degrees and rarely went over 195,
usually when I took the car over 70 mph. My secret:
1) New radiator 10k miles ago,
2) Rebuilt engine at same time, including a complete boil-out to clean
all passages, a new thermostat and new water pump,
3) Careful installation of fan (it is easy to get it backwards),
4) Careful tuning to factory specs with rebuilt carbs and all new Bosch
ignition components (Lucas is like the weather, everybody bitches about
it but nobody _does_ anything about it!),
5) Use of 50/50 antifreeze/water coolant with a bottle of Water Wetter
thrown in.
I also believe that the "stepped" MkII grill is much better at getting
airflow into the engine compartment. The earlier grills seemed designed
to purposely keep air out!
I have seen some period racing MGA's with the snaggle-tooth look you
describe, so it probably does help. Many 1500 and 1600 owners twist the
slats a few degrees to increase airflow, which may be a less drastic
alternative.
David Littlefield
Houston, TX
On Tue, 29 Jul 1997 10:26:30 -0400 (EDT) Len Bugel
<bugel@bianca.sms.k12.vt.us> writes:
>On the subject of heat in the footwell, and heat in general, my MGA
>doesn't really like it when the ambient temperature goes much above 85
>F.
>I should add that the car has an 1800 3-main engine, and the radiator
>and
>oil cooler to match. I have been looking at those pretty chromed vents
>on
>either side of the bonnet, and wondering if a 12V muffin fan under one
>or
>both, blowing out, would lower the under-bonnet temperature. I tied a
>piece of string to the near-side vent, and while it doesn't get sucked
>in,
>it sure doesn't blow out much, either! Any experience and/or opinions?
> Also, I have seen a couple of As with every other grille bar
>removed - don't much like the looks, but can someone tell me how much
>it
>helps?
>
> If I had the good sense to stay in Vermont this would almost
>never
>be a problem, but I find myself spending summers at Fermilab, near
>Chicago
>- a practice that seems destined to continue in the future - and it
>sure
>is hot out here!
>
>Len Bugel
>'51 TD
>'57 MGA
>
>
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