The Ford Barn

Seth Swoboda · 03-17-2023, 09:34 AM

I'd like to straighten some fins on radiators that have gotten bent flat. Can anyone reccomend a good radiator comb? The plastic ones for sale on line are too wimpy.

marko39 · 03-17-2023, 10:50 AM

If you can’t find a good comb, you can use a pair of duckbill pliers, that’s all I’ve ever used.

Als48 · 03-17-2023, 10:58 AM

Curry-comb for horses comes to mind. Check Tractor Supply, I've never tried it tho. The teeth/bristles might be a little too short.

solidaxle · 03-17-2023, 11:42 AM

I seem to remember Eastman had them.

Terry,OH · 03-17-2023, 12:03 PM

I have used the plastic fin combs and find you have to get several different widths. The fins seem to vary in width some tighter together and some slightly wider on the same radiator. Some fins are bent too sharply and have to be picked apart. I have seen fin combs made of metal with four different combs around a central handle. Visit your local HVAC supplier.

DavidG · 03-17-2023, 12:42 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Needle nose pliers, patience, and perseverance.

Alaska Jim · 03-17-2023, 03:29 PM

snap-on tools sells one with several different fin widths and thicknesses, although the "teeth" are plastic

Lawson Cox · 03-17-2023, 03:34 PM

I have always used a couple of putty knives.

Merc Cruzer · 03-17-2023, 03:56 PM

I have had this one for years and have never broke a tooth out of it. If I remember right, I picked it up at Harbor Freight.

35fordtn · 03-17-2023, 10:13 PM

I’ve always used popsicle sticks two of them takes a ton of patience.

Ford Freak · 03-18-2023, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidg

needle nose pliers, patience, and perseverance.

x 2!

drolston · 03-18-2023, 02:55 PM

I used a metal fingernail file and popsicle stick, and it took only a few hours to do both sides of the truck radiator in my '41 coupe.

Alaska Jim · 03-18-2023, 04:31 PM

The tool that Snap-on sells looks exactly like the one that Merc Cruzer posted pictures of. It works pretty well.

aussie merc · 03-19-2023, 04:16 AM

hard plastic work better than the metal one. If you get to enthusiastic the metal ones can tear the fins

Robert/Texas · 03-19-2023, 05:49 AM

Google "radiator comb" and you will find lots of these tools.

rich b · 03-19-2023, 05:57 AM

Maybe the combs are different now; but the one I bought never matched the fins on my radiators. Fin counts were always different.

Read they were actually made for HVAC condensers and evaporators.

Used flat nosed pliers, putty knives, and sticks to straighten my stuff.

TJ · 03-19-2023, 10:19 AM

I have the Snap-On tool. It has several combs of different widths for the fins. It works well for me.

03-17-2023, 09:34 AM	#1
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,795	Radiator Comb I'd like to straighten some fins on radiators that have gotten bent flat. Can anyone reccomend a good radiator comb? The plastic ones for sale on line are too wimpy.

03-17-2023, 10:50 AM	#2
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: Radiator Comb If you can’t find a good comb, you can use a pair of duckbill pliers, that’s all I’ve ever used.

03-17-2023, 10:58 AM	#3
Als48 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Paducah Ky Posts: 279	Re: Radiator Comb Curry-comb for horses comes to mind. Check Tractor Supply, I've never tried it tho. The teeth/bristles might be a little too short.

03-17-2023, 11:42 AM	#4
solidaxle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: upstate NY Posts: 478	Re: Radiator Comb I seem to remember Eastman had them.

03-17-2023, 12:03 PM	#5
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: Radiator Comb I have used the plastic fin combs and find you have to get several different widths. The fins seem to vary in width some tighter together and some slightly wider on the same radiator. Some fins are bent too sharply and have to be picked apart. I have seen fin combs made of metal with four different combs around a central handle. Visit your local HVAC supplier.

03-17-2023, 12:42 PM	#6
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: Radiator Comb Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Needle nose pliers, patience, and perseverance.

03-17-2023, 03:29 PM	#7
Alaska Jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 1,575	Re: Radiator Comb snap-on tools sells one with several different fin widths and thicknesses, although the "teeth" are plastic

03-17-2023, 03:34 PM	#8
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: Radiator Comb I have always used a couple of putty knives. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

03-17-2023, 10:13 PM	#10
35fordtn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: McMinnville, TN Posts: 2,327	Re: Radiator Comb I’ve always used popsicle sticks two of them takes a ton of patience.

03-18-2023, 02:55 PM	#12
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: Radiator Comb I used a metal fingernail file and popsicle stick, and it took only a few hours to do both sides of the truck radiator in my '41 coupe.

03-18-2023, 04:31 PM	#13
Alaska Jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 1,575	Re: Radiator Comb The tool that Snap-on sells looks exactly like the one that Merc Cruzer posted pictures of. It works pretty well.

03-19-2023, 04:16 AM	#14
aussie merc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: sydney australia Posts: 1,034	Re: Radiator Comb hard plastic work better than the metal one. If you get to enthusiastic the metal ones can tear the fins

03-19-2023, 05:49 AM	#15
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 681	Re: Radiator Comb Google "radiator comb" and you will find lots of these tools.

03-19-2023, 05:57 AM	#16
rich b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,827	Re: Radiator Comb Maybe the combs are different now; but the one I bought never matched the fins on my radiators. Fin counts were always different. Read they were actually made for HVAC condensers and evaporators. Used flat nosed pliers, putty knives, and sticks to straighten my stuff.

03-19-2023, 10:19 AM	#17
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: Radiator Comb I have the Snap-On tool. It has several combs of different widths for the fins. It works well for me.