$170 and it doesnt fit - the "legs" are too close together and i suspect the side mounts are in the wrong location too - but those i can make up a plate to mount to then the plate to the OE holes...

Any advice about where to go next? Id rather not take a grinder to the existing holes and make them oval but if that the advice, I will.

 

if they are as close to being correct as they look i would simply take a file or grinder to the holes.

i had my mech install one on my '67 mk2. he said that, "...ya it needed a bit of adjustment.." but implied that it was a simple task. so i wouldn't be surprised if the side fasteners don't line up either.

 

about an 1/8th of an inch out either side, ill take a dremel to them then... i dont like removing "car" if i dont have to - not like it grows back, but then again... the next radiator (if it ever needed one) will also be chinesium again i guess, so "future proofing"?

 

You could always grind down the side of the threaded bolt so it has a flat edge which fits inside the hole. The nut will still go over the thread as long as you are only taking of a 1/4 off each bolt. If you are grinding down the thread leave the nut on fully wound to the top so you can unwind the nut and clear the thread as the nut comes off.
That said two things. First you can do this as it is not a strength held point just an bolt holding the rad down. Secondly on the other hand cutting the body work is not a problem as you will never be able to see it and if you are intent on using the Chinese alloy rad I doubt if you would need to go back to the original rad.

 

I had to do a little grinding on the car to get my aluminum radiator to fit. Was hesitant at first but like Cass said, no one will ever see it again.

 

As my rusty old car stands, one of those radiator support brackets has fallen off and the other doesn't look great. I'd not hesitate about making the hole oval. Those pieces are very easy to repair or replace or simply attach a washer. After spending more time on my car's rear spring hangers, I don't expect anything to fit or even be close to fitting.

 

I am in the process of fitting a cheap Chinese radiator. And yes I have the same fitment problems.

For the 2 bottom studs, I cut them off flush, drilled a new hole on each side so they line up with the holes in the frame. The holes are then tapped, I think I used 5/16-18. then fitted studs. Get a bottom tap so can tap the entire hole.

NOTE>>>>> Do not drill too deep as you will drill into the radiator. Use some sort of mark on the drill. The bosses where the studs are are quite wide so there is plenty of space to offset the new studs on the boss.

Next problem, the radiator is too tall and if use the rubber thick washers under the bottom studs, the two ends of the radiator will hit the hood, so be careful when fitting. By not using the bottom upper rubber washers, it just fits in my case.

Next problem. For the two side brackets.....Guess what, they are also are not at the correct location to allow them to bolt to the holes on the vertical frame on each side.. To fix this we used a right angle drill attachment to drill a hole on each side at the proper height to align with the ears. Then installed a rivnut. Think I used a 1/4-20.

I still have not started car with new radiator in place. We will see...

Good luck
jjsandsms

 

Im too scared to drill into my radiator - for the reasons you mention, i have the touch of a baby elephant at times (ex army, says it all).

I think i will grind the holes a little, as others have done - but good catch on the height issue - i was about to order all the spacers and washers from Moss, I think i will eyeball it then get what i need from Ace up the street.

 

IMO...good choice to grind 'em. after all, there's no good reason that those holes couldn't have been ovalized at the factory to provide a bit of adjustment during assembly. they just didn't is all.

 

Spoke to the seller on ebay, he claims they fit his "test car"

I dont believe for a second some bloke in China has a spare Mk II Laying around but he did offer a $20 partial refund.... so i took that.

 

So you getting 20 bucks back and still keeping the radiator. Not a bad deal as long as it finally fits. Use the 20 bucks to buy all the stuff you will need to make it fit.
I should do the same but I only paid about $75 for mine and it looks exactly like all the others. See the photos below in the link.
Good luck.

I really wanted to have my original radiator re-cored. But the local one man band shop retired last year and I cant find anyone with in driving distance to re-do it. Se my recent post on this. Looking at the photos of my original radiator it may be beyond saving.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/m...or-fit-286316/

jjsandsms

 

yeah I intend of a visit to ace this weekend.