The Ford Barn

spdster · 11-10-2016, 08:11 PM

In the last 6 months I have purchased two 1934 Ford oem original radiators. One in Canada and one at Hershey 2016 both had the same back history - you know the one - was taken off a running car blah blah blah both fellows appeared trustworthy. You live an learn the one from Canada was a religious icon - very holey- if it wasn't for the mouse nest and mouse by-products it would have leaked like Niagara Falls, the second one had a smaller mouse nest and was less religious (holey). Mea Culpa was that I should have inspected closer but you don't want to insult the seller, they both looked good it is amazing what paint and putty will do. Fortunately the between the two of them and a new core I was able to come up with one decent flathead (the Hershey radiator had been converted for a Chevy motor) radiator. I would have been further ahead buying a reproduction rad but I wouldn't have learned anything about radiators from an old timer - like explosive rivets.

cas3 · 11-10-2016, 09:08 PM

i too have a couple questionable ones, and went with the new 1100.00 brassworks to avoid more problems. new core is cheaper if you have good tanks, but 80 year old brass is brittle and can crack when your repair shop is trying to make it work. new is a lot of $, but one less headache

Kurt in NJ · 11-10-2016, 10:26 PM

on the other hand----at Hershey I bought a 36 radiator because the top tank looked good,wanted it for "practice"before working on my "good" one 25$, probably less than scrap---when I got it home and looked close the core is perfect, tubes clean, holds water--both side straps are gone--rusted away to nubs on the lower mount
looks like my "good" radiator is loosing it's side straps

Fortunateson · 11-10-2016, 10:32 PM

I have a '32 Model B tank that probably needs a new core. I want to use it with an 8ba engine. Is it feasible to convert the tanks for dual inlet/outlets? Or unless I can find very reasonable shop go see the bank manager and arrange a loan? LOL

Newc · 11-11-2016, 12:30 AM

Hi all; The '32 V8 rad has different tanks than the B. Especially the bottom tank. Newc

stangblue · 11-11-2016, 07:50 AM

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my 02. I found that when storing old radiators for some some length of time without coolant (Anti Freeze) in them they tend to rott on their own. I know plugging them and filing with coolant makes them heavy but it tends to keep them in better shape over time.

11-10-2016, 08:11 PM	#1
spdster Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Great White North Posts: 20	1934 Ford radiator - mea culpa In the last 6 months I have purchased two 1934 Ford oem original radiators. One in Canada and one at Hershey 2016 both had the same back history - you know the one - was taken off a running car blah blah blah both fellows appeared trustworthy. You live an learn the one from Canada was a religious icon - very holey- if it wasn't for the mouse nest and mouse by-products it would have leaked like Niagara Falls, the second one had a smaller mouse nest and was less religious (holey). Mea Culpa was that I should have inspected closer but you don't want to insult the seller, they both looked good it is amazing what paint and putty will do. Fortunately the between the two of them and a new core I was able to come up with one decent flathead (the Hershey radiator had been converted for a Chevy motor) radiator. I would have been further ahead buying a reproduction rad but I wouldn't have learned anything about radiators from an old timer - like explosive rivets. Last edited by spdster; 11-10-2016 at 08:16 PM.

11-10-2016, 09:08 PM	#2
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,577	Re: 1934 Ford radiator - mea culpa i too have a couple questionable ones, and went with the new 1100.00 brassworks to avoid more problems. new core is cheaper if you have good tanks, but 80 year old brass is brittle and can crack when your repair shop is trying to make it work. new is a lot of $, but one less headache

11-10-2016, 10:26 PM	#3
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: 1934 Ford radiator - mea culpa on the other hand----at Hershey I bought a 36 radiator because the top tank looked good,wanted it for "practice"before working on my "good" one 25$, probably less than scrap---when I got it home and looked close the core is perfect, tubes clean, holds water--both side straps are gone--rusted away to nubs on the lower mount looks like my "good" radiator is loosing it's side straps

11-10-2016, 10:32 PM	#4
Fortunateson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 511	Re: 1934 Ford radiator - mea culpa I have a '32 Model B tank that probably needs a new core. I want to use it with an 8ba engine. Is it feasible to convert the tanks for dual inlet/outlets? Or unless I can find very reasonable shop go see the bank manager and arrange a loan? LOL

11-11-2016, 12:30 AM	#5
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,484	Re: 1934 Ford radiator - mea culpa Hi all; The '32 V8 rad has different tanks than the B. Especially the bottom tank. Newc

11-11-2016, 07:50 AM	#6
stangblue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 370	Re: 1934 Ford radiator - mea culpa Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) my 02. I found that when storing old radiators for some some length of time without coolant (Anti Freeze) in them they tend to rott on their own. I know plugging them and filing with coolant makes them heavy but it tends to keep them in better shape over time. __________________ Assumption is the mother of all foul-ups.