The Cooling Accessories catalogue covers the upgrades and consumables that keep a classic MG running at the right temperature in the conditions modern owners actually use the cars in, UK summer traffic, prolonged motorway running, hill climbs and the occasional track day. The original cooling systems were designed for the conditions of the time, and most have aged considerably since. A combination of an aluminium radiator, modern silicone hoses, an oil cooler and an electric thermostatically-controlled fan transforms the cooling margin of any classic without altering its character.
Aluminium Radiators
Aluminium Radiators replace the original brass-cored radiators that classic MGs left the factory with. Brass and copper, while period-correct and visually attractive, are a much poorer heat-transfer combination than aluminium core construction. A modern aluminium radiator core has roughly twice the thermal capacity of the original brass equivalent, runs significantly cooler at any given heat load, and reduces the chance of the car overheating in stop-start traffic on a hot day. The radiators are designed as direct bolt-in replacements, the mounting points, hose connections and overall package match the original, so installation is no more involved than fitting a like-for-like replacement.
Aluminium radiators are stocked for MGB, MGC, MGB GT V8, Midget and MGA applications, with the model-specific dimensions, header tank position and inlet and outlet diameters confirmed at the point of order.
Cooling Hose Kits
Cooling Hose Kits replace every rubber hose in the cooling system in one go, top hose, bottom hose, heater hoses and the connecting hoses for the bypass and overflow. Silicone hose kits in black, red or blue offer the visual upgrade alongside the technical one; silicone has a much wider temperature tolerance than rubber, does not perish with age, and lasts the working life of the car. Standard rubber hose kits remain available for owners committed to an originality-first restoration. A complete hose-kit fit is the sensible companion to an aluminium radiator change, eliminating the risk of an aged rubber hose splitting under the slightly higher operating pressures of a more efficient cooling system.
Oil Coolers and Revotec Cooling Fans
Oil Coolers, also covered under the Engine Tuning section, are a critical part of a comprehensive cooling solution. They shed heat that the water-side cooling system would otherwise have to handle, dropping oil temperature, water temperature and overall under-bonnet heat. Revotec Cooling Fans and Accessories cover the electric, thermostatically-controlled cooling fans developed in the UK specifically for classic-car applications. The fans replace the engine-driven viscous or fixed fan with a modern lightweight electric unit, switched on and off by a calibrated thermostatic sensor.
The benefit is twofold, the engine no longer drags the fan around at all times, releasing a few horsepower and improving fuel consumption, and the cooling effort is automatically applied exactly when needed regardless of engine speed. In stop-start traffic, where the engine-driven fan is moving most slowly precisely when cooling is most needed, the electric fan makes a substantial difference.
Forlife Coolant
Forlife Coolant, covered in detail under the Coolant section and at the sister site 4lifecoolant.co.uk, is the recommended specification for any classic mixed-metal cooling system regardless of whether the radiator has been upgraded or remains original. The brass, copper, gunmetal, cast-iron and aluminium combination used in classic cooling systems is incompatible with modern OAT and HOAT extended-life coolants, the organic-acid inhibitor packages attack the lead-tin solder seams and yellow-metal components. Forlife is formulated specifically for the classic-era materials and gives extended service life without the corrosion risks of using a modern-spec coolant where it does not belong.