The Ford Barn

art ebeling · 07-01-2015, 06:03 AM

My 31 victoria needs a new radiator and I am considering the Brassworks with dimpled fins as per the original for the correct look. Any recent experience with one of these? I saw an old thread but most posts were about rebuilding the original or about Bergs.

1929 · 07-01-2015, 06:22 AM

I bought the heavy duty radiator, which I think is from Snyders through the engine rebuilder for over $500, the Bergs was $800 and $56 for shipping.

Mike · 07-01-2015, 06:46 AM

BERGS ALL THE WAY !!! The fit is better and built better then the others, in my opinion.

mike

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 07-01-2015, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

BERGS ALL THE WAY !!! The fit is better and built better then the others, in my opinion.

mike

Mike, Bergs does not make a dimpled fin radiator for the 30-31. Brassworks is the only manufacturer of the correct-looking 1930-31 radiator.

aermotor · 07-01-2015, 07:01 AM

Is Bergs and Brassworks the only 2 choices and who sells which? Some suppliers don't say who makes theirs.

barkleydave · 07-01-2015, 07:20 AM

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I went with the Berg on my 29 CCPU. Since I do not have a fine point truck and tour I wanted the best heavy duty radiator I could find. I had a problem with an earlier repro the PO put in.

Pos: It worked great
Neg: Fit was excellent except had to enlarge mounting holes slightly to line up with cross member on truck. (about 1/8 off on each side)

Also since I do use a stone guard one would not see dimples anyway..

Oh BTW had a turkey buzzard fly up and into my stone guard the other day I was moving along at 45 MPH. NO damage to my radiator! Bird did not do as well.

fiddlybits · 07-01-2015, 08:54 AM

Since the closest I might ever venture to judging would be touring class I wanted the radiator that is going to do the most cooling.
After seeing the cast red brass inlet and outlet, the staggered center row of tubes, the 10 fins per inch and as it turned out a perfect fit, I went with the Berg radiator.

It replaced a reproduction 5/6 fins per inch, thin metal inlet and outlet with incorrect bottom tank radiator.

Drove the car on a 10 mile loop at 55mph (3 stop signs) before changing radiator and driving the loop again. No thermostat installed.

Old radiator - 196F
Berg radiator - 142F

what was most surprising was that the Apco gauge agreed with the thermocouple on temperture. ;-) The MotoMeter was at the bottom of the hole before and just barely visible after. (that's ok....it's job is to look cool on the front of the car)

P.S. · 07-01-2015, 10:21 AM

Opted to have the original radiator recored on the 31 Tudor when I installed the rebuilt motor. Way I see it, if you're already spending that much for a rebuild, then what is another $500 or $600 to protect it?

Anyway, the recore using the original top and bottom tanks works excellent. Judges at the roundup a month ago did not downgrade it. Motor never gets over 150 degrees, even on real hot days.

I'm sure you can find a shop near you that can recore your radiator.

msmaron · 07-01-2015, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.S.

I'm sure you can find a shop near you that can recore your radiator.

BERGS Radiator... the best i have found to date personally!

Mitch//pa · 07-01-2015, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msmaron

BERGS Radiator... the best i have found to date personally!

Mark
i also like the Bergs
how do you make out with judging using the bergs core not being dimpled

Bob Johnson · 07-01-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Mark
i also like the Bergs
how do you make out with judging using the bergs core not being dimpled

The cooling system is worth a total of 15 points. The radiator is worth 4 points. So the most you can loose is 4 points. If the top and bottom tanks were original It should loose 1 to 2 points depending on condition.

Bob

Mitch//pa · 07-01-2015, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson

The cooling system is worth a total of 15 points. The radiator is worth 4 points. So the most you can loose is 4 points. If the top and bottom tanks were original It should loose 1 to 2 points depending on condition.

Bob

thanks Bob

Wello · 07-01-2015, 01:26 PM

I went with Bert's in Colorado. They set up original tanks with their 4 row core. Perfect fit and no more heating issues.

mshmodela · 07-01-2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson

The cooling system is worth a total of 15 points. The radiator is worth 4 points. So the most you can loose is 4 points. If the top and bottom tanks were original It should loose 1 to 2 points depending on condition.

Bob

In the latest issue from MARC they mention the fine point judging on radiators as a matter of fact.

Fred K-OR · 07-01-2015, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wello

I went with Bert's in Colorado. They set up original tanks with their 4 row core. Perfect fit and no more heating issues.

I did the same. Have an extra thick Bert's rebuild and while over at the NWRM where temps reached 113 degrees, had only a slight red on my moto meter.

Brian T · 07-01-2015, 02:21 PM

I agree with Wello and Fred, the 4 row 10 fin from Berts in Denver cools great in my 29 Double A, temps in the 90*s + and long grades not a problem,
I do not believe I have had to add a quart for topping up the level to just over the tubes in the three years touring the back roads with our club.

Pat Martone · 07-01-2015, 02:37 PM

For my 1931 Slant, which is a touring class car, I am happy with the Berg's heavy duty, all new design radiator; it was a bit over $800, and is very well made.

Ed Wendell · 07-01-2015, 07:41 PM

Here is the Brassworks radiator I just purchased for our '29 Town Sedan. It was $700 including shipping to S. Calif.

Ed

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J Wade · 07-01-2015, 08:33 PM

I was told by a local radiator shop in San Angelo that my radiator had to be recored because it had too many leaks. Talked to Logan on the Barn & he recommended Kirby's in Ft Worth. My son had to go to Dallas for a meeting and was returning the next day. When I explained this he dropped it off around 3:00 PM, and they called me at 11:00 AM the next morning to tell me it was ready. Cleaned, disassemble, rod, vat, flush, rebuild top header, reassemble, and pressure test, in one day. $158.00 I think when we get this kind of service we should tell others, Thanks Loga.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-02-2015, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Wade

I was told by a local radiator shop in San Angelo that my radiator had to be recored because it had too many leaks. Talked to Logan on the Barn & he recommended Kirby's in Ft Worth. My son had to go to Dallas for a meeting and was returning the next day. When I explained this he dropped it off around 3:00 PM, and they called me at 11:00 AM the next morning to tell me it was ready. Cleaned, disassemble, rod, vat, flush, rebuild top header, reassemble, and pressure test, in one day. $158.00 I think when we get this kind of service we should tell others, Thanks Loga.

That sounds good. Please let us know how well it worked out after a road test.

It's nice to know a radiator shop that isn't afraid to work on Model A radiators.

07-01-2015, 06:03 AM	#1
art ebeling Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Hillsboro IL Posts: 479	new radiator reviews My 31 victoria needs a new radiator and I am considering the Brassworks with dimpled fins as per the original for the correct look. Any recent experience with one of these? I saw an old thread but most posts were about rebuilding the original or about Bergs.

07-01-2015, 06:22 AM	#2
1929 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New York Posts: 943	Re: new radiator reviews I bought the heavy duty radiator, which I think is from Snyders through the engine rebuilder for over $500, the Bergs was $800 and $56 for shipping.

07-01-2015, 06:46 AM	#3
Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ASTON, PA. Posts: 725	Re: new radiator reviews BERGS ALL THE WAY !!! The fit is better and built better then the others, in my opinion. mike

07-01-2015, 07:01 AM	#5
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: new radiator reviews Is Bergs and Brassworks the only 2 choices and who sells which? Some suppliers don't say who makes theirs.

07-01-2015, 07:20 AM	#6
barkleydave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Kentucky Posts: 502	Re: new radiator reviews Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I went with the Berg on my 29 CCPU. Since I do not have a fine point truck and tour I wanted the best heavy duty radiator I could find. I had a problem with an earlier repro the PO put in. Pos: It worked great Neg: Fit was excellent except had to enlarge mounting holes slightly to line up with cross member on truck. (about 1/8 off on each side) Also since I do use a stone guard one would not see dimples anyway.. Oh BTW had a turkey buzzard fly up and into my stone guard the other day I was moving along at 45 MPH. NO damage to my radiator! Bird did not do as well.

07-01-2015, 08:54 AM	#7
fiddlybits Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: N Illinois Posts: 447	Re: new radiator reviews Since the closest I might ever venture to judging would be touring class I wanted the radiator that is going to do the most cooling. After seeing the cast red brass inlet and outlet, the staggered center row of tubes, the 10 fins per inch and as it turned out a perfect fit, I went with the Berg radiator. It replaced a reproduction 5/6 fins per inch, thin metal inlet and outlet with incorrect bottom tank radiator. Drove the car on a 10 mile loop at 55mph (3 stop signs) before changing radiator and driving the loop again. No thermostat installed. Old radiator - 196F Berg radiator - 142F what was most surprising was that the Apco gauge agreed with the thermocouple on temperture. ;-) The MotoMeter was at the bottom of the hole before and just barely visible after. (that's ok....it's job is to look cool on the front of the car)

07-01-2015, 10:21 AM	#8
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,696	Re: new radiator reviews Opted to have the original radiator recored on the 31 Tudor when I installed the rebuilt motor. Way I see it, if you're already spending that much for a rebuild, then what is another $500 or $600 to protect it? Anyway, the recore using the original top and bottom tanks works excellent. Judges at the roundup a month ago did not downgrade it. Motor never gets over 150 degrees, even on real hot days. I'm sure you can find a shop near you that can recore your radiator.

07-01-2015, 01:26 PM	#13
Wello Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Paradise, CA Posts: 97	Re: new radiator reviews I went with Bert's in Colorado. They set up original tanks with their 4 row core. Perfect fit and no more heating issues.

07-01-2015, 02:21 PM	#16
Brian T Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Diego,Ca Posts: 1,377	Re: new radiator reviews I agree with Wello and Fred, the 4 row 10 fin from Berts in Denver cools great in my 29 Double A, temps in the 90*s + and long grades not a problem, I do not believe I have had to add a quart for topping up the level to just over the tubes in the three years touring the back roads with our club. __________________ Nothing can be made foolproof, ---- fools are ingenious bastards.

07-01-2015, 02:37 PM	#17
Pat Martone Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 495	Re: new radiator reviews For my 1931 Slant, which is a touring class car, I am happy with the Berg's heavy duty, all new design radiator; it was a bit over $800, and is very well made.

07-01-2015, 07:41 PM	#18
Ed Wendell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 149	Re: new radiator reviews Here is the Brassworks radiator I just purchased for our '29 Town Sedan. It was $700 including shipping to S. Calif. Ed DSC00433.JPG DSC00434.JPG DSC00435.JPG DSC00436.JPG DSC00437.JPG

07-01-2015, 08:33 PM	#19
J Wade Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 112	Re: new radiator reviews I was told by a local radiator shop in San Angelo that my radiator had to be recored because it had too many leaks. Talked to Logan on the Barn & he recommended Kirby's in Ft Worth. My son had to go to Dallas for a meeting and was returning the next day. When I explained this he dropped it off around 3:00 PM, and they called me at 11:00 AM the next morning to tell me it was ready. Cleaned, disassemble, rod, vat, flush, rebuild top header, reassemble, and pressure test, in one day. $158.00 I think when we get this kind of service we should tell others, Thanks Loga.