With no engine in the bay it was easy to look at the radiator and its fitting. It didn't look too fresh. On removal it was still 2/3rds full of old anti freeze and showed signs of being furred up, just like the engine block.
Fitting was a simple matter of nuts and perished rubber washers over studs mounted on the frame cross member. (One of the studs had been replaced by a coach bolt of the same thread.) This early type of radiator is different to those on later engines & as such requires different top and bottom hoses. Once removed and the chasis cleaned, the studs will be replaced with titanium ones from a Mini after market supplier. I was lucky enough to track down a second hand radiator, but when it arrived I tested it and found it leaked ! With a bit of research I found a company that did re cores and to lower the cost, took both rads in for treatment myself & then picked them up.
2/8/2013 and the radiators look great. The overflow pipe was in good order so will be refitted once cleaned, along with a new cap. The drain cock at the bottom corner has also been refitted and a new one sourced for the spare radiator. In the meantime they will be placed up somewhere safe whilst the strip down continues.