The Ford Barn

Bolts · 02-13-2014, 10:16 AM

Harbor freight sells a tool like this. Has anyone used one or similar?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwzwboqN5Cw

Fordors · 02-13-2014, 10:21 AM

I have one and it works well. When working with fins I will say that patience is a virtue. Steady as she goes. I have also seen long nose pliers with the tips ground (home made) to appear like a duck bill for those fins really laid over.

fordscript · 02-13-2014, 03:46 PM

I have always used old hacksaw blades......the rounded end and the straight back.

rich b · 02-13-2014, 03:54 PM

Those combs are sized for condenser fins, the one I picked up did not match the fin count on either my '36 or '47 Ford radiators.

I had better luck using a straight slot screwdriver and a ground down duckbill pliers.

raceron1120 · 02-13-2014, 04:02 PM

I used to sell them years ago when working at a Ford heavy truck parts department. There were different sizes for fin variations on radiators, A/C condensers etc. Haven't seen any like the kind I sold for a long time. Can't remember who I got them from probably the radiator shop that did our radiator recores & repairs. We also called them radiator combs.

G.M. · 02-13-2014, 04:29 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The radiator comb that has 2 or 3 different spaced combs is still available. These are good for slightly bent fins. If the fin gets stretched it won't straighten out. There were duck bill type pliers with groves down the long length that crimped the fins
to "shrink" the fin material. This is the same idea as the pliers used on stove pipes for the female ends of a connection only much smaller crimps. G.M.

Alaska Jim · 02-14-2014, 09:51 PM

I bought one from my snap-on dealer. works pretty well, but depending on how bad things are bent a pair of duck bill pliers and a modified needle nose, are good to have.

ford38v8 · 02-14-2014, 10:20 PM

Looks good enough for a modern throw-away radiator, but for an irreplaceable antique radiator? Not on your bippy.

joe plumber · 02-15-2014, 05:00 PM

Count the number of fins you have per inch.just hold a tape vertical and measure 1"and count the amount of fins you have in that 1". There are several fin combs out there that are made for condensers.

02-13-2014, 10:16 AM	#1
Bolts Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 585	radiator fin straightener Harbor freight sells a tool like this. Has anyone used one or similar? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwzwboqN5Cw __________________ Nothing wrong with it except for the name on the front. Alex

02-13-2014, 10:21 AM	#2
Fordors Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orland Park,IL Posts: 1,408	Re: radiator fin straightener I have one and it works well. When working with fins I will say that patience is a virtue. Steady as she goes. I have also seen long nose pliers with the tips ground (home made) to appear like a duck bill for those fins really laid over.

02-13-2014, 03:46 PM	#3
fordscript Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oamaru, New Zealand Posts: 428	Re: radiator fin straightener I have always used old hacksaw blades......the rounded end and the straight back.

02-13-2014, 03:54 PM	#4
rich b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,028	Re: radiator fin straightener Those combs are sized for condenser fins, the one I picked up did not match the fin count on either my '36 or '47 Ford radiators. I had better luck using a straight slot screwdriver and a ground down duckbill pliers.

02-13-2014, 04:02 PM	#5
raceron1120 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ellsworth Michigan Posts: 1,824	Re: radiator fin straightener I used to sell them years ago when working at a Ford heavy truck parts department. There were different sizes for fin variations on radiators, A/C condensers etc. Haven't seen any like the kind I sold for a long time. Can't remember who I got them from probably the radiator shop that did our radiator recores & repairs. We also called them radiator combs.

02-13-2014, 04:29 PM	#6
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: radiator fin straightener Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The radiator comb that has 2 or 3 different spaced combs is still available. These are good for slightly bent fins. If the fin gets stretched it won't straighten out. There were duck bill type pliers with groves down the long length that crimped the fins to "shrink" the fin material. This is the same idea as the pliers used on stove pipes for the female ends of a connection only much smaller crimps. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

02-14-2014, 09:51 PM	#7
Alaska Jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 1,587	Re: radiator fin straightener I bought one from my snap-on dealer. works pretty well, but depending on how bad things are bent a pair of duck bill pliers and a modified needle nose, are good to have.

02-14-2014, 10:20 PM	#8
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,286	Re: radiator fin straightener Looks good enough for a modern throw-away radiator, but for an irreplaceable antique radiator? Not on your bippy. __________________ Alan

02-15-2014, 05:00 PM	#9
joe plumber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 820	Re: radiator fin straightener Count the number of fins you have per inch.just hold a tape vertical and measure 1"and count the amount of fins you have in that 1". There are several fin combs out there that are made for condensers.