Winter Radiator Muffs

Post by **Gareth** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 3:11 pm

Hi all,

Following on from Twinkle's request for suppliers of new radiator muffs (Radiator Muffs) can anyone shed any light on how they fix to the car?

I presume that each manufacturer had a different method, but I'd like to know if there's a way of fitting them without drilling unpleasant holes. Anyone got any pictures? Ta.

Post by **Onne** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:33 pm

I have got an inbuilt little curtain in my MM. Whicj has a chain going inside the car.

Post by **Cam** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:23 pm

Onne wrote:I have got an inbuilt little curtain in my MM. Whicj has a chain going inside the car.

WHAT?!?!?!

Explain further mister! (preferably with photos).

Post by **Onne** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:41 pm

It's not on the car atm. It's in a box, and rather scruffy.

It sits in front of the radiator (Which is the best place I guess...) And is like a kitchen blind upside down. Works rather crudely I think. I am going to do it up again, so it works again.

I'll try and post some pictures.

Post by **Onne** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:42 pm

This is it. I think there are more bits to it, but they are still on the radiator housing.

Post by **Gareth** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:00 pm

I've seen those roller-type radiator blinds before - usually on pre-war motors. Quite ingenious!

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:07 pm

If someone has accsess to a scanner and the AA "Book of the Car" there's a section in there about fitting radiator muffs.

My edition is the 1972 one.

If no-one else has got one we'll have to ask PyoorKate nicely to scan it as we don't have a scanner

Post by **Onne** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:28 pm

Oh so there is my post. Got me worried.

Post by **Gareth** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:06 pm

I used to have a copy of the AA book on [cough] long-term loan from the Library, but one day when I was feeling public-spirited, I thought I'd better hand it in... they've probably chucked it out by now, so they have more room for 'beach novels' and adult education leaflets...

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 7:49 pm

hi gareth

there was an old minor in the car park of the museum we went to for the web rally which someone said had mounts for a rad muff

the mounts were on the grille

consisted of three vertical metal bars about a centimetre wide

one at each end of the grille and one in the middle

don't know if that helps at all?

juliet xx

PS Onne that thing should be in a museum

Post by **bigginger** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 9:33 pm

...and so should the radiator muff

Post by **Onne** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:22 pm

Not when you have a thermo syphon engine. I would love to get it working again!

Look at it as if it were a thermostat. Because my car doesn't have a proper thermostat

Post by **Matt** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:28 pm

thermosyphon engines are great! (The truck below has one too!)

Post by **Onne** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:30 pm

At least your waterpump can't break! Nor the thermostat. nor will you ever have problems in removing the thermostat housing!

I can't wait to get her running again!

Post by **simmitc** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 12:34 pm

As regards how to fit them, I can remember one that was basically a sheet of material with a couple of straps. The bulk went over the radiator grill, the straps round the top and bottom bars and then attached to the sheet via poppers. Easy to fit & remove, no alteration to the car. It even had a cut-out section to allow air into the heater intake (on a 1000). Should be easy enought to make. Mind you, the old piece of cardboard held on with binder twine does the same job. Have to say that I like Oone's roller blind better though. The idea of a chain insie the car sounds a bit like having a hammer on a piece of string in order to hit the fuel pump.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 1:14 pm

i don't know if it's any help but there's a NOS one on ebay atm: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUSTIN-MORRIS-110 ... dZViewItem

It says it's for "BMC Austin/Morris 1100 Mk1 models" though

juliet xxx

Post by **Gareth** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 3:27 pm

That's the one that got me thinking, actually - I know it won't fit a Minor, but this phrase...

There do not appear to be any fastenings with this to fit it to the grille but no doubt something suitable can be obtained.

... concerned me somewhat. I shall have to have a think, or it might be a return to the piece of damp cardboard and treasury tags... (but not today, what with it being uncharacteristically warm...

).

Post by **mal** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:56 pm

Damm ....... when I bought my spoked steering wheel last weekend the chap asked me if I wanted a complete radiator blind for the Moggy, it was in excellent condition and was something like Onne's photo, comlete with mechanism for opening and closing from inside the car, he said I could have it for a fiver seeing I'd bought some other stuff off him...... I declined his offer

still, I like my old tinfoil

Mal

Post by **Onne** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:50 pm

Oh Mal I would have offered you a lot for it! I still have to remake mine..

You don't happen to have his address do you?

Post by **guydenning** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:51 am

If it's the same make as the one in fifi (which we've now taken out) the chain ends with a little lead ball. It's got that sort of 1930's outdoor khazi chain aesthetic... nice.