MG Car Repair: Oil Cooler Removal, mgb roadster, oil coolers

Question
I have an oil leak from my oil cooler on a 74 MGB roadster and have problems undoing the pipe connectors. I've sprayed wd40 and wire brushed but the connectors are stuck fast. Should they disconnect easily ? Is it possible that someone has used a sealent or resin when connecting the oil cooler last time. There seems to be an irregular line on the thread where the connector is screwed on. Like a jagged line of solder. The cooler stub end just bends when I apply attempt to unscrew the pipe. Thanks Tony.

Answer
Hi Tony,
That is a problem on many of the British cars with an aluminum oil coolers. The manufacture failed to apply any anitsieze compound on the threads and they lock so many are destroyed just trying to remove them. Some of the coolers had a hex on the cooler fitting that you can put a wrench on so as not to put a twist on the fitting. This helped a little but not much. I have gotten some to break loose by heating the nut and wrapping the cooler fitting with a wet shop rag. But the trouble is that aluminum expands more than steel when heated so the best I have found is to heat the nut and cool it down and do that several times. Even then when I would get it off it took most of the aluminum threads with it.

Sorry, I don't have a sure cure for the problem. If anyone reading this has a better cure write in and let us both know.

Howard