Radiator woes
 

Hi All,

My 55' Crown Vic is in the shop getting new engine mounts, bushings etc. Apparently with all the new rubber this moved the engine forward slightly. The aftermarket fan (flex fan) was already close to the radiator. Apparently this minor move forward was enough to cause the fan to hit the radiator.

The fan is toast. The rad is likely original so that's a plus. Options are:

patch the rad and have it hobble along (yuck).
re-core the rad
buy new rad

I'd like to hear from folks who have gone through this - pros? cons? I know re-coring still doesn't get you a 'new' rad, but how good a job is this? Is it worth the savings? Are the new rads from Macs any good (quick search says they're $600 without much detail :()? Is there a better source? I'd prefer quality/ USA made over junk. Money is tight, but if I have to spend it to get a quality lasting repair, then so be it.

Re: Radiator woes
 

I've had several rads re-cored with no issues. Pick a shop that's been around since God was a lieutenant and does a lot of business and drive on with confidence. JMO

Re: Radiator woes
 

Brassworks. Lee will get you all sorted. Not the cheapest but the best IMO. Be advised they are 8-10 weeks out on filling orders, last I knew.

https://thebrassworks.net/

Re: Radiator woes
 

Just curious, they didn't turn the motor mounts around? It will move the engine forward or rearward. Don't help with radiator question but is engine close to firewall or pushed forward?

Re: Radiator woes
 

hmmm I never thought about that, I wonder if they did? that's a great point but one i'm not happy to pay for. I don't have my manual (its at the shop) - they look identical on macs website, but they do have different part #s so they must be different.

Edit: I take that back, if I look at the catalog instead of the website which can be easier to decipher sometimes, it appears there is only one product number that applies to a 1955 292. Sounds like the engine mount should be identical then, although if someone happens to be able to confirm or deny that that would be helpful!

Re: Radiator woes
 

they are the right ones as the only other ones that fit are 6 cyl ones and they will set your engine back.the opening in the mounts faces rearward.

Re: Radiator woes
 

Macs on Foster Rd should be a good place for your radiator needs. I've used them before and they looked like they work on anything. I think they've been around since the 40's/50's.

Re: Radiator woes
 

I think that’s who my mechanic Will be taking my radiator to to get re-cored! I checked for the Radiator identification numbers someone mentioned on another thread that indicate it’s an original radiator and I do have those so I figured I should work to keep the original Radiator instead of just simply replace it, plus that should save me a lot of money!

I was pretty sure that Macs auto used to have radiator shroud’s but they don’t now.. And upon some Internet searching, I cannot seem to find shrouds at all. Did these cars not come with them originally?

Re: Radiator woes
 

As far as I could tell mine never did and it's mostly original.

Re: Radiator woes
 

as to shroud no

Re: Radiator woes
 

Throw that flex fan in the trash get the original fan........

Re: Radiator woes
 

Is there a spacer between the water pump pulley and fan? If so, look for a shorter one. If it's already a short version you may be able to remove it, unless the back side of it hits something else.

Re: Radiator woes
 

Whether or not the car came with a shroud, we (the brassworks) can make a shroud for you should you want one. 805.239.2501

Re: Radiator woes
 

I would look into having the rear of the fan spacer shaved a 1/2" or so. This will bring the fan back 1/2" but make sure the rear of the fan is not going to interfere with something. I am not a fan of flex fans, I would go with a stock metal fan and you will have less movement to worry about it hitting something.

Re: Radiator woes
 

I believe the recomended distance between the fan & radiator is 1-1.5 in.
One way or another, you need to get that somehow.
And, as was said above, ditch that flexfan!!

Re: Radiator woes
 

Motor mounts should be mounted on the frame so that the open channel is at the back of the mount, so the bolts to the engine are inserted at the rear of the mount.
Get a '57 and later Y-block original 4-blade fan. It has same pitch as original '55 3-blade fan so it won't take up more room.
The '55/56 cars already have a fan shroud. It is at the bottom of the car, mounted to the frame (2 pieces of stamped sheet metal painted black). These serve as a fan shroud and to protect the generator from water/mud splashing into the commutator slots. If your car is missing those, I highly recommend you find these 2 pieces somewhere and install them. They are mounted to the frame with lag screws and there is one special snap-fastener that holds the two pieces together in the middle. If you can't find that middle fastener, substiute it for one 5/16 washer-head bolt and cage-nut or speed-nut.
BTW, see private message regarding radiator.

Re: Radiator woes
 

Hi All, thought i'd circle back. Between this spring being a bit hectic and my car basically stuck at the mechanics for a month, I opted to recore the radiator and just get it done, the preservationist way considering it still had the original tanks on top. Cost $930 if I recall correctly not including install which was discounted since the shop caused the damage. They located a stock 4 blade metal fan. It looks and runs great, so fingers crossed I don't need to deal with it for another 30 years.

Re: Radiator woes
 

Re: Radiator woes
 

HOLY CARP! I don't recall ever paying more than $150 or so to recore a rad. What's the core made of? Platinum?

Re: Radiator woes
 

My guess is that you haven't had a radiator recored in a while:cool: