The Ford Barn

Tom Grz · 01-31-2024, 06:30 PM

I’m currently trying to salvage the radiator on my 31 pickup project, just hoping to get a couple more years out of it while I work on the rest of the truck. Being on a tight budget, I’m doing the repairs myself, so I’ve been reading a lot of the posts related to radiators. I’ve seen a few pictures of square shaped baffles, but none that look like mine. Can anyone give me some background on this style baffle, like when it went into production? Thanks
IMG_4612.jpg

Ray in La Mesa · 01-31-2024, 09:01 PM

I have the "pipe" style in two of my radiators & they work great. The neat thing is you can look down & see the water level. They are after market tanks though. I've been running the one in my '28 roadster pickup for 50 years.

Tom Grz · 01-31-2024, 09:12 PM

I’m glad to hear they work good, that was my concern. Does the overflow tube go up against the back of the pipe or the front, or doesn’t it matter with this type of baffle?

Ray in La Mesa · 02-01-2024, 09:03 AM

Back side as the flow of water from the upper hose is directed to the front of the tank & goes right into the tube.

Tom Grz · 02-01-2024, 09:52 AM

Thanks Ray!

Pete · 02-01-2024, 05:35 PM

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Here is some info that was posted here on Fordbarn about 10 years ago.
There was a drawing of the baffle there at the time also.

The info from Marco will work but it is a bandaid, not a fix for the basic problem.
A top tank baffle is not a primary cure for puking water out.
It is primarily designed to stop aereation. The secondary benefit of this is
stopping water from being forced out due to expansion from air trapped in the water.
A proper baffle will cover the whole top section of the radiator inside the top tank. It will have openings along the side and ends and have 1/2 inch holes spaced regularly throughout to center area. These holes will be approximatelt 3 inches apart. The side openings will vary in size according to the capacity of the radiator.
Another common belief is that slowing the water down will make it cool better. That is wrong. If you don't buy that, look up Boyle's laws of thermodynamics or ask an engineer involved in cooling processes.
You don't need water hoses the size of a fire hose to cool a flathead either. You DO need them to look proper for judging though.

01-31-2024, 06:30 PM	#1
Tom Grz Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Mahwah NJ Posts: 13	Radiator baffle I’m currently trying to salvage the radiator on my 31 pickup project, just hoping to get a couple more years out of it while I work on the rest of the truck. Being on a tight budget, I’m doing the repairs myself, so I’ve been reading a lot of the posts related to radiators. I’ve seen a few pictures of square shaped baffles, but none that look like mine. Can anyone give me some background on this style baffle, like when it went into production? Thanks IMG_4612.jpg

01-31-2024, 09:01 PM	#2
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,167	Re: Radiator baffle I have the "pipe" style in two of my radiators & they work great. The neat thing is you can look down & see the water level. They are after market tanks though. I've been running the one in my '28 roadster pickup for 50 years.

01-31-2024, 09:12 PM	#3
Tom Grz Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Mahwah NJ Posts: 13	Re: Radiator baffle I’m glad to hear they work good, that was my concern. Does the overflow tube go up against the back of the pipe or the front, or doesn’t it matter with this type of baffle?

02-01-2024, 09:03 AM	#4
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,167	Re: Radiator baffle Back side as the flow of water from the upper hose is directed to the front of the tank & goes right into the tube.

02-01-2024, 09:52 AM	#5
Tom Grz Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Mahwah NJ Posts: 13	Re: Radiator baffle Thanks Ray!

02-01-2024, 05:35 PM	#6
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,409	Re: Radiator baffle Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Here is some info that was posted here on Fordbarn about 10 years ago. There was a drawing of the baffle there at the time also. The info from Marco will work but it is a bandaid, not a fix for the basic problem. A top tank baffle is not a primary cure for puking water out. It is primarily designed to stop aereation. The secondary benefit of this is stopping water from being forced out due to expansion from air trapped in the water. A proper baffle will cover the whole top section of the radiator inside the top tank. It will have openings along the side and ends and have 1/2 inch holes spaced regularly throughout to center area. These holes will be approximatelt 3 inches apart. The side openings will vary in size according to the capacity of the radiator. Another common belief is that slowing the water down will make it cool better. That is wrong. If you don't buy that, look up Boyle's laws of thermodynamics or ask an engineer involved in cooling processes. You don't need water hoses the size of a fire hose to cool a flathead either. You DO need them to look proper for judging though.