36 sheet metal alignment

[Rockymountainsparky]

I installed the radiator, front fenders and grill for my 36 3 window coupe over the weekend. I had read someone's post that had step by step instructions and followed those. He had said make sure 5he radiator support rods are adjusted so that you have exactly 33 inches between the rear hood hinge support and the back edge of the hood ornament. I did this but the grill is about 1/2 inch too far back for the front mounting holes on the ornament to line up. Any suggestions on how to fix this would be greatly appreciated.

[325w]

What happens when you adjust the steady rods out that 1/2 inch?

[Rockymountainsparky]

I'd have to increase the length of threads on the rods but that isn't a big deal. It decreases the space for the hood. I suppose I could give it a try, but I'll have to cut down the length of the stainless hood hinge coupler.

[ThirstyThirty]

if it was mine, and it was some time back... 2 36 Ford 3-windows... I would further explore options, dims, etc before cutting anything that is original FOMOCO tin!

[Brian]

So, the hood fits okay at the moment does it? Looks to me like you need to move the radiator back relative to the grill.

[TagMan]

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Do you have the radiator mounted in the right holes? As I recall, there are two sets of holes for the radiator to mount on - one set for cars, one for trucks, but I don't recall which were which.

I also recall having to adjust the rods to get a proper fit.

[KiWinUS]

What radiator are you using? If stock has it been taken apart and reassembled by a radiator shop? Is it a stock Ford grill or an aftermarket? If stock fFord is it one piece or two piece grill? Are the backs of front fenders hard up against the cowl and butted up to running boards? Be sure to install running boards to locate fore and aft of fenders/ grill. Is the radiator in correct holes at bottom in chassis.

[Joeyv]

I had the same problem with my 36. The issue I had was because I had taken my radiator to a radiator shop to get it re cored. You may have a completely different issue, but I thought this story might help. When I reinstalled the radiator after the shop re-cored my radiator, the hood no longer fit properly. I returned it to the shop several times, even with a separate old 1936 radiator that fit properly in my 36 to use as a template. It still came back with the same problem. After several returns to the shop, the radiator shop said I could keep the radiator with the new core. They gave me my money back and suggested I find another shop. I took it to a different radiator shop in town that also had a reputation of being able to do quality work on older radiators. The owner’s son now runs the business and said he preferred not to work on old car radiators because the money is working on and swapping out, radiators on newer vehicles, but he would try to correct the problem. He was unsuccessful in two attempts to correct the problem with the radiator. I decided not to continue with another shop. Eventually I purchased a new radiator from BrassWorks. There was a long wait to get it, it wasn’t inexpensive, but it dropped right in, all the sheet metal lines up correctly, and it works well. You may have a radiator shop in your vicinity that can fix your radiator. The radiator’s height and the tank’s angle and relative position on the core is key to having the sheet metal fit properly. If all else fails, and you can live with an incorrect radiator, Brassworks is an option. Good luck!

[Rockymountainsparky]

Yes, I had the radiator recored. Right now I'm waiting for a friend to get back in town to lengthen the threads of my radiator support rods. Then we'll see how it goes from there. Thanks for all your replies.

[Willit Stop]

The rods on my 5 window measure 29 5/16 tip to tip. The nuts are at the very ends of the rods. inside to inside measurement of the mounting brackets is 28 inches. I hope this helps.

[Steve in Denver]

I too purchased a Brass Works radiator for my '36, fit right in. As I have an 8BA, I needed an electric fan in front. That took two trys, I think I would up with a 14 inch fan in order to clear the grille.
I highly recommend Brass Works.