The Ford Barn

Colonel · 02-11-2016, 10:17 PM

Looking to buy a new 30/31 radiator. Need an original type with dimpled and number of fins and flat tubes. Not sure if 2 or 3 rows are needed. Fit is important. What would folks recommend based upon their experience?

Larry Jenkins · 02-11-2016, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel

Looking to buy a new 30/31 radiator. Need an original type with dimpled and number of fins and flat tubes. Not sure if 2 or 3 rows are needed. Fit is important. What would folks recommend based upon their experience?

Brassworks advertises a dimpled Model A radiator for $665..

barnstuf · 02-12-2016, 10:27 AM

3 rows of tubes is best.

JohnB15632 · 02-12-2016, 10:52 AM

Three rows of tubes is essential especially if driving in hilly areas. The additional cooling is very necessary. The heavy duty three row radiators are best. I agree with barnstuf.

katy · 02-12-2016, 11:57 AM

You could check w/Berg's to see what they have available. http://www.bergsradiator.com/modela.html

Bob-A · 02-12-2016, 01:53 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Some people have had problems with BrassWorks radiators (including myself) in the past. Never heard a bad word about Berg's. If I ever need
a new radiator that is where I'm going.

Bob-A

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 02-12-2016, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colonel

Looking to buy a new 30/31 radiator. Need an original type with dimpled and number of fins and flat tubes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

You could check w/Berg's to see what they have available. http://www.bergsradiator.com/modela.html

If a dimpled-fin core is a requirement, then the only source is Brassworks.

1931 flamingo · 02-12-2016, 02:22 PM

I looked at Berg's radiators at Hershey this year. A thing of beauty.

Do a search here for Brassworks and then Berg's. FWIW
Paul in CT

CarlG · 02-12-2016, 02:34 PM

I really like my Berg's radiator, but like Brent says, the fins are not dimpled.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-12-2016, 02:37 PM

In the 80's I shaped the jaws on a pair of pliers to reshape the dimples in my Studebaker radiator.
A person could do the same for the Berg's radiator.

stewwolfe · 02-12-2016, 04:58 PM

My Cabriolet has a Brassworks, and my Roadster has a Berg's. They both work well, but I like Berg's better (it fit better).

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

brito36 · 02-12-2016, 04:59 PM

Berg's radiators are very well made.

CarlG · 02-12-2016, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

In the 80's I shaped the jaws on a pair of pliers to reshape the dimples in my Studebaker radiator.
A person could do the same for the Berg's radiator.

At my pace that would take "Years" to put dimples in all those little fins!

Roserock49 · 02-12-2016, 05:55 PM

I recently saw an article on dimpling the radiator fins. It is in the Tiny Tips book on page 170

skinnyfjoe · 02-13-2016, 01:35 PM

I have a bergs. Good fit

Brian in Wheeling · 02-13-2016, 08:38 PM

Bergs for me. I'm not going to Hershey. Very nice quality and no problems.

Brian

jack leavitt · 02-13-2016, 10:05 PM

Ive got a 1930 model a radiator on my 29 and i am looking to trade for a 29 radiator it your interested

Pete / MA · 02-14-2016, 08:46 AM

Bergs are top shelf. Excellent packaging, fit and look. Performance with T -stat in the northeast is excellent. Well worth the money.

Mike V. Florida · 02-14-2016, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brito36

Berg's radiators are very well made.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinnyfjoe

I have a bergs. Good fit

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian in Wheeling

Bergs for me. I'm not going to Hershey. Very nice quality and no problems.

Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete / MA

Bergs are top shelf. Excellent packaging, fit and look. Performance with T -stat in the northeast is excellent. Well worth the money.

He is looking for an original type with dimpled and number of fins and flat tubes, Bergs does not have such radiators.

Marshall V. Daut · 02-14-2016, 04:33 PM

Avoid the temptation of buying "cheap" and getting a two-row radiator. They're "cheap" for a reason, as is most junk. They won't cool a Model A engine in the upper part of Michigan in January during an ice storm - at midnight. Worthless, worthless, worthless! Maybe - and I mean a BIG maybe - a two-row radiator might have kept a Model A engine somewhat cool when the car was new and the passageways inside the engine block had not yet been coated with crud to reduce cooling ability. But 80 years later, even after boiling out the block, there will still be cooling problems.
J.C. Whitney used to offer the two-row radiator in the 1970's for a very reasonable price. I made the mistake of shopping with my wallet instead of my brains, and bought one. I couldn't keep my engine cool except during the winter, and even then it would occasionally boil over. There is nothing that will sour your overall Model A experience more than continually fighting a poor radiator and overheating. This is one area in restoring an antique car where one should not play it cheap. Bite the bullet and buy the absolute best radiator you can find, dimpled fins or not. That's only for show cars, anyway. You'll drive the car more than you will ever will show it. And a cheap-*ssed two-row radiator will be nothing but misery for you and your defenseless Model A.
Marshall

02-11-2016, 10:17 PM	#1
Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 251	New Radiator Looking to buy a new 30/31 radiator. Need an original type with dimpled and number of fins and flat tubes. Not sure if 2 or 3 rows are needed. Fit is important. What would folks recommend based upon their experience?

02-12-2016, 10:27 AM	#3
barnstuf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod MA Posts: 2,840	Re: New Radiator 3 rows of tubes is best.

02-12-2016, 10:52 AM	#4
JohnB15632 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Export, PA (Outside of Pittsburgh) Posts: 520	Re: New Radiator Three rows of tubes is essential especially if driving in hilly areas. The additional cooling is very necessary. The heavy duty three row radiators are best. I agree with barnstuf.

02-12-2016, 11:57 AM	#5
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,042	Re: New Radiator You could check w/Berg's to see what they have available. http://www.bergsradiator.com/modela.html __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

02-12-2016, 01:53 PM	#6
Bob-A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central FL, USA Posts: 1,137	Re: New Radiator Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Some people have had problems with BrassWorks radiators (including myself) in the past. Never heard a bad word about Berg's. If I ever need a new radiator that is where I'm going. Bob-A

02-12-2016, 02:22 PM	#8
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: New Radiator I looked at Berg's radiators at Hershey this year. A thing of beauty. Do a search here for Brassworks and then Berg's. FWIW Paul in CT

02-12-2016, 02:34 PM	#9
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: New Radiator I really like my Berg's radiator, but like Brent says, the fins are not dimpled. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

02-12-2016, 02:37 PM	#10
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: New Radiator In the 80's I shaped the jaws on a pair of pliers to reshape the dimples in my Studebaker radiator. A person could do the same for the Berg's radiator.

02-12-2016, 04:58 PM	#11
stewwolfe Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Chesterfield, VA Posts: 299	Re: New Radiator My Cabriolet has a Brassworks, and my Roadster has a Berg's. They both work well, but I like Berg's better (it fit better). Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ '31 40B '31 68C

02-12-2016, 04:59 PM	#12
brito36 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marengo. Illinois Posts: 262	Re: New Radiator Berg's radiators are very well made.

02-12-2016, 05:55 PM	#14
Roserock49 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fairfield, California Posts: 26	Re: New Radiator I recently saw an article on dimpling the radiator fins. It is in the Tiny Tips book on page 170 Last edited by Roserock49; 02-12-2016 at 09:44 PM.

02-13-2016, 01:35 PM	#15
skinnyfjoe Junior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Salem, NH Posts: 13	Re: New Radiator I have a bergs. Good fit

02-13-2016, 08:38 PM	#16
Brian in Wheeling Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wheeling, WV - U.S.A. Posts: 241	Re: New Radiator Bergs for me. I'm not going to Hershey. Very nice quality and no problems. Brian

02-13-2016, 10:05 PM	#17
jack leavitt Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Cathlamet washington Posts: 18	Re: New Radiator Ive got a 1930 model a radiator on my 29 and i am looking to trade for a 29 radiator it your interested

02-14-2016, 08:46 AM	#18
Pete / MA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brookfield, NH Posts: 102	Re: New Radiator Bergs are top shelf. Excellent packaging, fit and look. Performance with T -stat in the northeast is excellent. Well worth the money.

02-14-2016, 04:33 PM	#20
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,109	Re: New Radiator Avoid the temptation of buying "cheap" and getting a two-row radiator. They're "cheap" for a reason, as is most junk. They won't cool a Model A engine in the upper part of Michigan in January during an ice storm - at midnight. Worthless, worthless, worthless! Maybe - and I mean a BIG maybe - a two-row radiator might have kept a Model A engine somewhat cool when the car was new and the passageways inside the engine block had not yet been coated with crud to reduce cooling ability. But 80 years later, even after boiling out the block, there will still be cooling problems. J.C. Whitney used to offer the two-row radiator in the 1970's for a very reasonable price. I made the mistake of shopping with my wallet instead of my brains, and bought one. I couldn't keep my engine cool except during the winter, and even then it would occasionally boil over. There is nothing that will sour your overall Model A experience more than continually fighting a poor radiator and overheating. This is one area in restoring an antique car where one should not play it cheap. Bite the bullet and buy the absolute best radiator you can find, dimpled fins or not. That's only for show cars, anyway. You'll drive the car more than you will ever will show it. And a cheap-*ssed two-row radiator will be nothing but misery for you and your defenseless Model A. Marshall