'39 commercial radiators
 

Took one of my '39 commercial radiators to an old school radiator shop today. Before they saw it, the father of the outfit said "no problem”; the son said, "no, the top tank on a 39 is wide (deep) and has a curved bottom so we can't get a core". They proceeded to discuss if the 39 should have wide top tank with fan indent, or not. They work on lots of flathead radiators, but they thought 39-40 somewhere was a transition years, with 40 being narrow top tank "for sure".

So.......what should a 39 commercial have? I have 3 radiators, with wide top tanks and fan indents....are they all wrong? I took two of em out of '39 pickups, and one's in my 38.

Also, seems shops mentioned on the Barn could get curved-topped cores?

May be of no concern, as they poked around, found the tubes to be solid, and the fins are good so they said they could rebuild it. Said they would have to remove the tanks to clean and maybe rod, and some old work on the tanks would need cleaning up, and there are some dents that we'll have to fix while we have the tanks off, so they warned me "it may be $200 or $250"!

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

Much cheaper than a replacement............JMO
Paul in CT

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

That's close to what I've been paying in my area. Last one was $220 and I agree with Paul.

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

Thanks, I was thinking I'd have a recore.

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

I would like to see some pictures of the top radiator tank of a commercial or pickup. My 1939 appears to be somewhat correct with the indent for the fan, but the top of the tank does not slope down and the bracket that is mounted to the side braces for the grille appears to be wrong. I suspect that the radiator came from a 1938 passenger car or maybe a 39 Standard car.

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

i've never posted photo's but if you have a cell phone i could text you photo's of my 39 pickup radiator.

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

I would also like to see a picture as I am redoing a 39 and it did not have a radiator when I obtained it. Brian

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

39 pu radiator photos, hope this works

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

Looks exactly like the one in my sons '39 we rebuilt last year (pick-up). Had it repaired at a old time shop west of Chicago, did a good job.

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

Thanks for the pictures Kevin. Regards, Brian

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

Thanks for the picture. Mine is totally different. Like everything else on the truck.

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

'38-'39 85 HP radiator has 81C stamped on the top tank near one of the hose outlets. 60 HP pickup radiators are stamped 82C on the top tank. Big truck radiators (which fit pickups, just have a thicker core) are stamped 81T.

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

Thnaks Larmar. I'll check for those #'s when I get back to Colorado. currently in Ohio for the holiday. Have a good Thanksgiving.

Gordon

Re: '39 commercial radiators
 

My radiator has "85" stamped on the tank near the right upper hose. Would that be for the 85 horsepower engine, and for what year?