Hi
the gap in the radiator I think had been put there so if you have a bump the radiator will bend and twist, with out bursting
now you've reinforced it odds are it would just rip it self apart
new radiator going to last 10 years plus even with out been reinforced, toyed with the idea with my new radiator, but ended leaving it as it was designed, there must be a reason it was done
cheers
Joe