The Ford Barn

david801 · 02-09-2011, 11:18 PM

I am restoring a 1928 Fordor. The car did not have an engine, or radiator or many other parts. I have aquired two "original" 28-29 radiators, with the threaded neck. Everything I have read about the 28-29 radiators says that they have round tubes. Both of mine have the flat or "oval" tubes. One has 31 rows and the other has 35. Both have tubes 3 rows deep. Neither look like the tube patterns in the Model A Ford Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards for the 28 or 29. Mine looks like the drawing of the FORD 1930-31 with 102 Flat Tubes. Has anyone seen this? How well does it cool your car? Both are in good condition. Will the one with more tubes cool better?

Steve Plucker · 02-09-2011, 11:43 PM

I am guessing that you have aftermarket radiators which "resemble" the originals.

Can you post some close-up photos of the radiators especially the top tanks both front and back?

Thanks.

Pluck

Tom Wesenberg · 02-10-2011, 12:02 AM

As Pluck said it is an aftermarket core or radiator, but it should cool just fine, unless the tubes are plugged, or a bunch of fins are loose from the tubes.

steve s · 02-10-2011, 10:50 AM

Save yourself some heartbreak and aggravation: Take them both to a radiator shop for evaluation. There's a reason they are not currently in someone else's car.

Steve

Tinker · 02-10-2011, 10:52 AM

So who makes the best aftermarket radiator for the 28-29'?

david801 · 02-10-2011, 11:06 AM

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Thank you for the replies. Here are a couple pictures of the radiators.

Vanspeed · 02-10-2011, 11:51 AM

Those look like originals that have been re-cored at some point in their life. See the tag on the one in the first pic.

31Tudor · 02-10-2011, 11:55 AM

In 1928 the top tank inlet was funnel shaped. I am not 100% sure when that upper tank was discontinued but the inlet is not shaped like the one in the picture.

In my opinion Brass Works makes the best aftermarket one.

criswellnk · 02-10-2011, 12:27 PM

This picture was taken from page 108 of Technically Speaking, Volume 6. The tank on the left is the earlier 1928 tank with the wider rectangle brakcet for the support rods. And the one on the right is the later tak with the recess/groove for the lacing rivets from the shell to clear.

Both tanks have the "funnel" type pipe and the "X" pattern on top of the tank. Looking at the photos that you had posted I would believe that the radiators you have are both aftermarket.

Brassworks does make a fantastic radiator, Berg's also does a real nice job as well, especially if you have good, original top and bottom tanks. They can give you a new core using your old original tanks.

Special Coupe Frank · 02-10-2011, 12:47 PM

If you are restoring the car to be a points-winning show car, you would have to go with the original style round-tube core.

Suggest you contact Berg's Radiator about having one of yours recored.

I have a Brassworks "heavy-duty" 10 fin-per-inch radiator in my '28 Coupe, and it has worked well, although there are many folks (myself included ) that seem to have issues with Brassworks rads fitting correctly, with regard outlet conifguration and /or shell mounting brackets. Again, okay for a driver, but when you're dropping $500+ for a new radiator, one would hope it fits perfectly.

Only a true "Fordie" would know it's "not correct"....

Vanspeed · 02-10-2011, 05:46 PM

My radiator in my 29 has never been removed and I do not have a funnel neck.

Colorado Greg · 02-10-2011, 06:19 PM

It is my understanding that all of the '28-'29 radiators came with the funnel neck. I too thought that I had an original radiator but mine didn't have the funnel neck. I was taking it in to get rodded out and I happened to be going by Berts in Denver and asked them to look at it. Not original, no funnel neck!

Fred · 02-10-2011, 06:24 PM

Then You do not have an ORIGINAL 1929 radiator.. Look @ the pictures that are shown of them, That is what your car or truck had from day one at Ford..

Gary/IA · 02-10-2011, 07:29 PM

While we are on the subject of '28 and '29 radiators, did the original round tube radiator have a seam running the length of the tube or is that something you would see on an aftermarket radiator core?

Fred · 02-10-2011, 09:19 PM

It had the seam..

Vanspeed · 02-10-2011, 11:05 PM

Hmmm................................

Marco Tahtaras · 02-11-2011, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david801

Thank you for the replies. Here are a couple pictures of the radiators.

The first radiator looks CLOSE to the early '30 AA radiator but I
would need to see more details to know. If it is, the core on the front side would look exactly like the inset (upper right) in the photo below.

Chris Haynes · 02-12-2011, 12:38 AM

Have a radiator shop check your radiators. Have them rodded out if necessary. If they pass muster use them. In not, have one recored. Lots cheaper than a new one from brassworks.

Aerocraft · 02-12-2011, 05:08 PM

The original radiator top and bottom tanks had a "mechanical" attachment (rivets) holding the inlet and outlet tubes to the tanks in addition to the soldered joints. That is a plus for having Bergs replace the core for you, You will have less chance for failure of the joints using an original set of tanks. In addition, Berg does make and original style round tube core which I feel is a second plus. I have visited a local business that manufactures reproduction Model A radiators and they actually "butt" solder the inlet and outlet pipes to the tanks. It is only a matter of time until those joints will fail. Gar Williams

02-09-2011, 11:18 PM	#1
david801 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Farmington, Utah Posts: 77	28-29 radiator question I am restoring a 1928 Fordor. The car did not have an engine, or radiator or many other parts. I have aquired two "original" 28-29 radiators, with the threaded neck. Everything I have read about the 28-29 radiators says that they have round tubes. Both of mine have the flat or "oval" tubes. One has 31 rows and the other has 35. Both have tubes 3 rows deep. Neither look like the tube patterns in the Model A Ford Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards for the 28 or 29. Mine looks like the drawing of the FORD 1930-31 with 102 Flat Tubes. Has anyone seen this? How well does it cool your car? Both are in good condition. Will the one with more tubes cool better?

02-09-2011, 11:43 PM	#2
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Re: 28-29 radiator question I am guessing that you have aftermarket radiators which "resemble" the originals. Can you post some close-up photos of the radiators especially the top tanks both front and back? Thanks. Pluck

02-10-2011, 12:02 AM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: 28-29 radiator question As Pluck said it is an aftermarket core or radiator, but it should cool just fine, unless the tubes are plugged, or a bunch of fins are loose from the tubes.

02-10-2011, 10:50 AM	#4
steve s Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalamazoo Posts: 1,656	Re: 28-29 radiator question Save yourself some heartbreak and aggravation: Take them both to a radiator shop for evaluation. There's a reason they are not currently in someone else's car. Steve

02-10-2011, 10:52 AM	#5
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: 28-29 radiator question So who makes the best aftermarket radiator for the 28-29'?

02-10-2011, 11:51 AM	#7
Vanspeed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suttons Bay, Mich. Posts: 3,384	Re: 28-29 radiator question Those look like originals that have been re-cored at some point in their life. See the tag on the one in the first pic. __________________ *Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.*

02-10-2011, 11:55 AM	#8
31Tudor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 611	Re: 28-29 radiator question In 1928 the top tank inlet was funnel shaped. I am not 100% sure when that upper tank was discontinued but the inlet is not shaped like the one in the picture. In my opinion Brass Works makes the best aftermarket one.

02-10-2011, 12:27 PM	#9
criswellnk Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit Posts: 288	Re: 28-29 radiator question This picture was taken from page 108 of Technically Speaking, Volume 6. The tank on the left is the earlier 1928 tank with the wider rectangle brakcet for the support rods. And the one on the right is the later tak with the recess/groove for the lacing rivets from the shell to clear. Both tanks have the "funnel" type pipe and the "X" pattern on top of the tank. Looking at the photos that you had posted I would believe that the radiators you have are both aftermarket. Brassworks does make a fantastic radiator, Berg's also does a real nice job as well, especially if you have good, original top and bottom tanks. They can give you a new core using your old original tanks. __________________ *"Son, there are two ways to do this, your way and the right way." Thanks dad.* Looking for a copy or reprint of 1932 A.E.A. Universal Catalog of Genuine Electrical Service Parts

02-10-2011, 12:47 PM	#10
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: 28-29 radiator question If you are restoring the car to be a points-winning show car, you would have to go with the original style round-tube core. Suggest you contact Berg's Radiator about having one of yours recored. I have a Brassworks "heavy-duty" 10 fin-per-inch radiator in my '28 Coupe, and it has worked well, although there are many folks (myself included ) that seem to have issues with Brassworks rads fitting correctly, with regard outlet conifguration and /or shell mounting brackets. Again, okay for a driver, but when you're dropping $500+ for a new radiator, one would hope it fits perfectly. Only a true "Fordie" would know it's "not correct"....

02-10-2011, 05:46 PM	#11
Vanspeed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suttons Bay, Mich. Posts: 3,384	Re: 28-29 radiator question My radiator in my 29 has never been removed and I do not have a funnel neck. __________________ *Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.*

02-10-2011, 06:19 PM	#12
Colorado Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 241	Re: 28-29 radiator question It is my understanding that all of the '28-'29 radiators came with the funnel neck. I too thought that I had an original radiator but mine didn't have the funnel neck. I was taking it in to get rodded out and I happened to be going by Berts in Denver and asked them to look at it. Not original, no funnel neck! __________________ "Betsy doesn't leak oil - she just marks her spot"

02-10-2011, 06:24 PM	#13
Fred BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: California, Maryland Posts: 1,421	Re: 28-29 radiator question Then You do not have an ORIGINAL 1929 radiator.. Look @ the pictures that are shown of them, That is what your car or truck had from day one at Ford..

02-10-2011, 07:29 PM	#14
Gary/IA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ellston, Iowa Posts: 247	Re: 28-29 radiator question While we are on the subject of '28 and '29 radiators, did the original round tube radiator have a seam running the length of the tube or is that something you would see on an aftermarket radiator core?

02-10-2011, 09:19 PM	#15
Fred BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: California, Maryland Posts: 1,421	Re: 28-29 radiator question It had the seam..

02-10-2011, 11:05 PM	#16
Vanspeed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suttons Bay, Mich. Posts: 3,384	Re: 28-29 radiator question Hmmm................................ __________________ *Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.*

02-12-2011, 12:38 AM	#18
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: 28-29 radiator question Have a radiator shop check your radiators. Have them rodded out if necessary. If they pass muster use them. In not, have one recored. Lots cheaper than a new one from brassworks. __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

02-12-2011, 05:08 PM	#19
Aerocraft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 1,387	Re: 28-29 radiator question The original radiator top and bottom tanks had a "mechanical" attachment (rivets) holding the inlet and outlet tubes to the tanks in addition to the soldered joints. That is a plus for having Bergs replace the core for you, You will have less chance for failure of the joints using an original set of tanks. In addition, Berg does make and original style round tube core which I feel is a second plus. I have visited a local business that manufactures reproduction Model A radiators and they actually "butt" solder the inlet and outlet pipes to the tanks. It is only a matter of time until those joints will fail. Gar Williams