The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

OK Folks, I got my original 53 Monterey radiator out. I'm taking it in on Monday to see if the radiator shop can repair it. Hopefully he doesn't slam the door on me. LOL. I'm not sure why the fan would have beaten the heck out of it?
What do you think? Does it look like a goner?
Has anyone had one repaired that looks this bad?

Has anyone added a fan shroud to a 52 or 53 model?

Fingers crossed.

Here's the only new radiator that I have been able to find for my car. It's $714.
Shhhhhh, don't tell the wife.

http://www.usradiator.com/mercury-1939-1956-car-1952-53-v8-flathead-radiator.html

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

See where the fan penetrated the core, but otherwise think a good shop shouldn't have too much of a problem bringing it back. My '39 was in worse shape than yours, and it came back looking like new. However, it depends on the shop you have access to. I was lucky and hope you will be, too.:)

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

do yourself a favor and don’t even bother with the radiator shop ,that core is rotted away and in rough shape ,if your not into original looks ,get the new aluminum one ,for the price you can’t go wrong

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Might want to check the motor mounts.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Re your question about a fan shroud: Looking at your picture we can see that the fan has been pulling through the vast majority of the radiator. I think any improvement in air flow from a shroud would be negligible.

For any shroud to function as intended the fan needs to be at the outlet opening, fan blades half in/half out of the shroud. If the fan is left at its location close to the radiator, a shroud is doing nothing. Unless there is a shroud available with only about 1-1/2 inches of depth, you would need to relocate the fan back away from the radiator to the shroud's outlet. I don't know how that could be done.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Thanks for the reply. I will mention that to my mechanic next week.

I am no mechanic. Are new motor mounts a costly repair?

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Thanks for the reply Jay. I may just drive it the way it was built without a shroud. I'm only going to be doing local driving around town.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Many shops will tell advise that you need a new core. That will be $700+. If the fan chopped into the tubes, that may be your only solution for an original look. If it just bent over the fins, you can straighten them yourself to open the air flow. With nothing more than a metal fingernail file and a few hours you can straighten up the fins. If the leaks are tiny, Barr's Leaks will probably do the job. If the tubes are not too badly crudded up internally, you are back in business.

And, figure out why the fan hit the radiator in the first place.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

That's what worries me. We only have one radiator shop around here. It's an older man, and his shop has been around forever. I remember bringing a radiator to him once from a 72 Olds Cutlass that was in way better shape, and he said it couldn't be fixed.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Thanks Joe. I've only found one place so far that carries a radiator for my car.
It sounds like that may be my only option. It is $714 but looks like the original.

Here it is:

http://www.usradiator.com/mercury-1939-1956-car-1952-53-v8-flathead-radiator.html

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Guess it boils down to your budget and how "original" you want it to be. Lots of aftermarket alternatives that work well.

Since you have it out, might be worth a trip to the "old guy" for an opinion?

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Oh yeah, I'm going to stop by to see him for sure.
The new one I found from US Radiator will take a month to receive. Covid has them backed up right now.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Thank you for the input.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Its a long time ago but I seem to recall the motor mounts being worn out on this 52 Merc and allowing the fan to contact the radiator. I could be wrong though.
A real old time handy radiator guy did some major repairs on a rad for my 64 Chevy II. He got salvage yard parts from a newer vehicle and basically cut a core to fit my tanks. It bolted right in. looks original and works great.
On my 52 the main seam on the tank blew out when I overheated it. My own fault as I had the radiator covered for a winter drive and let it get too hot. I have not taken it to a radiator shop yet but am using the 53 radiator on the 52 for now. Good luck with yours.
http://https://youtu.be/KO6QzVe_xGY

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

On further inspection of your picture I can see solder repairs on the tank seam just the same as where mine blew out on the 52. I tried a little soldering on mine but gave it up as I was never much good with solder and would not trust my work on even a low pressure system like this one. Sometimes the expensive option is the cheapest one in the long run.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Thanks Ralph. I have a feeling a brand new radiator is in my future.

Next will be a gas tank. Are you able to measure that gas tank that you have sitting in your 53' parts car?
Remember the gas tank on Ebay? Heres the measurements that he states in his ad:
Tank measures 31 1/2" x 23" x 8"

I'm wondering if those measurements match the tank you have before I consider ordering one.

Thanks for your help,
Doug

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Check your motor mounts I had that same think happen to me in 1962

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

I'll check and measure this 53 tank later today.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Does anyone make an aluminum one for your car ? If so , how much ?

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Sound like you have been using it as is ,pretty beat up ! as a tampery measure lay it face down and fill it with washing soda for 2/3 days then water blast it through the top, straighten the fins as the others have said ,you can get a model A plastic Shroud that might fit ,within a 1" of the fan will do or you could cut it , Or you could make one .

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

I'd say its a match. I measured this one, took a few pictures. The top of the tank is pretty near rust free but I see a couple of holes in the bottom. As well as the huge dent from the fork lift.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Ralph,
Thanks so much for doing that for me. It makes me feel a lot better ordering one off of Ebay now.
-Doug-

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

I believe an aluminum one is $865.

http://www.usradiator.com/mercury-19...diator.html#HE

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Actually, I just bought the car two weeks ago. I have never driven it yet. I bought it and had it towed right to a repair shop because the carb was leaking at the upper gasket. I have ordered a carb rebuild kit. The mechanic took me for a quick drive to show me how smooth the car runds and drives.
He loved it so much that he wanted to buy it from me. LOL.

I saw the radiator leaking when we got back from the drive, so I know that needs to be repaired or replaced.
The gas tank has loose rust in it because I see it sitting in the glass bowl filter.
Slowly but surely I wil get it back on the road again.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Good Nice car ,a lot of Radiator shops don't like messing with old Radiators ,a good one is best for the Flathead ,

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Take the radiator out of the car. Since we are all locked up anyway, what you need is a good radiator comb. You could have that looking like new in a day.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Yikes !! I guess that option is out .

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Time to start finding salvage yards in your area that have old cars. It can be a fun day just walking through the cars seeing what is left that you can use. It will also give you a chance to see parts of the car that you would never otherwise see.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

LOL. Yeah, I thought that was the price for a GOLD one!:)

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

I'm wondering how much difference there can be between a $285 aluminum radiator for a "shoebox" Ford and an $865 unit for your Mercury? I know I would at least look into it.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

I think thats the way it will end up in the long run. I bought the car cheap enough and knew I would have to do some repairs. I thought the radiator, gas tank, and floor pans would be interchangeable with Fords, but no such luck.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Wow! Thats a fun looking salvage yard. Is that by you?

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Dumb question.....
Would I send mine in and have someone build me an aluminum one, or are you saying there may be one out there that would bolt right up?
I'm not finding anyone on line that sells one for my car except US Radiator for $713.
Anyone you could recommend for a cheaper option?

Maybe someone with a 53' Merc that has replaced their radiator can chime in?

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

They (2) are about 50 miles north of here. But have to believe there are ones around you too.

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Here's one for $209.95 and free shipping. It has dimensions so you can measure yours and see if it's close.:)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-1949-1...&hash=item2cb3

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

I would try calling...........ShoeBox Ford.........they might be able to help with interchangeability.
Paul in CT

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

Factory .....................................Alum
Core width - 20" ....................... 20 7/8"
Overall width - 24" ......................24 3/4
Overall height - 26".......................28 1/2"
Top hose - 1 1/4" ..........................1 1/4"
Bottom hose - 1 3/4".....................1 3/4"



Factory 53' Merc radiator

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

I bet that yard would have a pillar mounted dome light switch for my '48 Ford, but, alas, it is too far for me to drive out and see!

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

According to this EMS Automotive video much of the floor panel patches are the same between Ford and Mercury for 52-54.
https://youtu.be/kWW0EkvgRQQ

Re: The Radiator Blues - Let's Pray
 

It has been awhile since I have been up there:

HWY 34 Auto & Truck Sales Inc
8405 U.S. Hwy34
Windsor, CO 80550

Cell: 970-590-5478 ask for Charles
Phone 970-686-9391 ask for Charles
Fax 970 686-1202
[email protected] attention Charles