The Ford Barn

fts1966 · 03-06-2018, 08:50 PM

our radiator is shot very bad condition, since we are rebuilding the engine we are looking into radiators as well. should we use the stock unit or is the new pressurized unit better or is there a reason to change?

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 03-08-2018, 07:23 AM

An original-style radiator Radiator will more than suffice.

kenparker · 03-08-2018, 08:09 AM

What Brent said. Unless you are going to push that new engine to its limits on a regular basis. ex. cruising for one or two hrs at 50 mph in Texas or Kansas summer heat. 50 plus mph at 100 degreees for an hour you is gonna need more radiator.

I would go for at leeast a Snyder HD (8 fins per inch) radiator - unless your are building a show car.

WHN · 03-08-2018, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

An original-style radiator Radiator will more than suffice.

I agree.

We have never had an overheating problem with a good original style cooling system.

The Model A engine is designed to run in the 160 to 170 degree temperature range.

The natural flow of heated water up and out, cooler water down and in, along with the pump. Moves a lot of coolant.

Pressure will only raise the boiling point of whatever coolant you are using. Heat can become an enemy to your engine.

fts1966 · 03-08-2018, 09:11 AM

okay thanks for all the information. we will not be pushing it to it limits mostly
45 MPH on occasion and lot of city 25-35. I will check out the one that the others are talking about on other threads.

again Thank you all

George Miller · 03-08-2018, 09:16 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If you use pressure you will likely have leaking water pump, unless you have one built for pressure.

Dave in MN · 03-08-2018, 09:48 AM

I agree with the guys above based on your description of how you plan to use your car.

I happen to use my touring car often like Ken Parker describes. I do use a Brassworks 4# pressurized system with an expansion or reclaim tank using a 50/50 antifreeze and water solution. I also have a 180 degree thermostat in the upper hose. The operating temp stays between 180 and 200 depending on how hard I push it.

Related to George's comment: I do use a "leakless" water pump built by James Rupert with the 4# system and do not have leaks. I think we drove close to 8,000 miles last summer and fall without adding coolant...so it works for me. To each his own...

My "stock" '28 pickup has an unpressurized system but I keep the speed under 55.

Good Day!

Purdy Swoft · 03-08-2018, 01:04 PM

I agree with others but use the heavy duty eight fins per inch radiator for good measure . A pressurized radiator could cause leaks with the primative cooling system of the model A .

kenparker · 03-08-2018, 04:19 PM

Dave in MN. Minor point of correction. There are two Ken's in Texas. Ken Davis is the one on Ft Worth that builds A/C units ans shock kits. The Ken refered to in your post above is Ken Parker of Van, Texas. I used to build the F150 OD kits and post regularly here on FB. Maybe i need to start signing my post KenP isntead of just ken.
kenP

Dave in MN · 03-08-2018, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenparker

Dave in MN. Minor point of correction. There are two Ken's in Texas. Ken Davis is the one on Ft Worth that builds A/C units ans shock kits. The Ken refered to in your post above is Ken Parker of Van, Texas. I used to build the F150 OD kits and post regularly here on FB. Maybe i need to start signing my post KenP isntead of just ken.
kenP

Ken, My mistake due to...Well, I don't know why! Senior moment I think? ...Thanks for the correction.
I will now go back and change the original post.
Good Day!

gustafson · 03-08-2018, 04:38 PM

I have to wonder where else the 'primative' Model A cooling system could leak? Radiator is biggest concern. I know of several hobbyists who run their A's pressurized and they have had no trouble for years. Especially if you got the Rupert pump

Ernie Vitucci · 03-08-2018, 04:56 PM

Good afternoon all...For me it depends on the engine that you have in your A. If it is standard bore and bone stock...and you don't live in the south or south west...then ok.
However if you do live in an area where it gets u over 90 or so in the summer, or you are going to climb lots of hills or your engine is bored out 100 over with a Snyder 5.9 head and a B Carburetor...then you are going to need more radiator to keep that modified engine running cool. For me the added safety and peace of mind that would come with a Brass Works heavy duty 4# system and a leakless water pump will just simply increase your enjoyment of your A with a lot less worry. Ernie

WHN · 03-08-2018, 04:57 PM

We should not forget, no matter whether we like or dislike a pressure system, that the Model A engine was “NOT” designed that way.

A well running engine, with a properly restored and maintained cooling system, will do everything we would expect it to do.

Please remember, pressure just raises the temperature at which a fluid will boil. Enjoy.

barkleydave · 04-25-2018, 08:14 AM

I and several others on her use the Berg HD radiator on my Touring CCPU.
It is a tank! Very well built. It is pricey but solved my overheat concerns driving in hilly country and Blue Ridge Mountains. I have a Rubert leakless pump and a 160 thermostat. Runs constant around 170-180 even at higher alt. and 90+ degree days.
(APCO temp gauge)

03-06-2018, 08:50 PM	#1
fts1966 Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: kansas city mo Posts: 34	radiator information our radiator is shot very bad condition, since we are rebuilding the engine we are looking into radiators as well. should we use the stock unit or is the new pressurized unit better or is there a reason to change?

03-08-2018, 07:23 AM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,508	Re: radiator information An original-style radiator Radiator will more than suffice. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

03-08-2018, 08:09 AM	#3
kenparker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Van, Texas Posts: 1,122	Re: radiator information What Brent said. Unless you are going to push that new engine to its limits on a regular basis. ex. cruising for one or two hrs at 50 mph in Texas or Kansas summer heat. 50 plus mph at 100 degreees for an hour you is gonna need more radiator. I would go for at leeast a Snyder HD (8 fins per inch) radiator - unless your are building a show car.

03-08-2018, 09:11 AM	#5
fts1966 Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: kansas city mo Posts: 34	Re: radiator information okay thanks for all the information. we will not be pushing it to it limits mostly 45 MPH on occasion and lot of city 25-35. I will check out the one that the others are talking about on other threads. again Thank you all

03-08-2018, 09:16 AM	#6
George Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NC Posts: 2,975	Re: radiator information Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you use pressure you will likely have leaking water pump, unless you have one built for pressure.

03-08-2018, 09:48 AM	#7
Dave in MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 1,411	Re: radiator information I agree with the guys above based on your description of how you plan to use your car. I happen to use my touring car often like Ken Parker describes. I do use a Brassworks 4# pressurized system with an expansion or reclaim tank using a 50/50 antifreeze and water solution. I also have a 180 degree thermostat in the upper hose. The operating temp stays between 180 and 200 depending on how hard I push it. Related to George's comment: I do use a "leakless" water pump built by James Rupert with the 4# system and do not have leaks. I think we drove close to 8,000 miles last summer and fall without adding coolant...so it works for me. To each his own... My "stock" '28 pickup has an unpressurized system but I keep the speed under 55. Good Day! Last edited by Dave in MN; 03-08-2018 at 08:19 PM.

03-08-2018, 01:04 PM	#8
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: radiator information I agree with others but use the heavy duty eight fins per inch radiator for good measure . A pressurized radiator could cause leaks with the primative cooling system of the model A .

03-08-2018, 04:19 PM	#9
kenparker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Van, Texas Posts: 1,122	Re: radiator information Dave in MN. Minor point of correction. There are two Ken's in Texas. Ken Davis is the one on Ft Worth that builds A/C units ans shock kits. The Ken refered to in your post above is Ken Parker of Van, Texas. I used to build the F150 OD kits and post regularly here on FB. Maybe i need to start signing my post KenP isntead of just ken. kenP

03-08-2018, 04:38 PM	#11
gustafson BANNED Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 128	Re: radiator information I have to wonder where else the 'primative' Model A cooling system could leak? Radiator is biggest concern. I know of several hobbyists who run their A's pressurized and they have had no trouble for years. Especially if you got the Rupert pump Last edited by gustafson; 03-08-2018 at 08:07 PM.

03-08-2018, 04:56 PM	#12
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 611	Re: radiator information Good afternoon all...For me it depends on the engine that you have in your A. If it is standard bore and bone stock...and you don't live in the south or south west...then ok. However if you do live in an area where it gets u over 90 or so in the summer, or you are going to climb lots of hills or your engine is bored out 100 over with a Snyder 5.9 head and a B Carburetor...then you are going to need more radiator to keep that modified engine running cool. For me the added safety and peace of mind that would come with a Brass Works heavy duty 4# system and a leakless water pump will just simply increase your enjoyment of your A with a lot less worry. Ernie

03-08-2018, 04:57 PM	#13
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,819	Re: radiator information We should not forget, no matter whether we like or dislike a pressure system, that the Model A engine was “NOT” designed that way. A well running engine, with a properly restored and maintained cooling system, will do everything we would expect it to do. Please remember, pressure just raises the temperature at which a fluid will boil. Enjoy.

04-25-2018, 08:14 AM	#14
barkleydave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Kentucky Posts: 502	Re: radiator information I and several others on her use the Berg HD radiator on my Touring CCPU. It is a tank! Very well built. It is pricey but solved my overheat concerns driving in hilly country and Blue Ridge Mountains. I have a Rubert leakless pump and a 160 thermostat. Runs constant around 170-180 even at higher alt. and 90+ degree days. (APCO temp gauge)