Radiator Help

[Poor Boys Garage]

Hello I'm looking for some help with finding a good radiator for my Rat Rod 29 Model AA Pickup. There are a ton of manufactures out there but I'm aware of you pay for what you get. I'm not apposed to spending a little more for a good one and not buying cheap and having cooling issues. I'm running a 5 inch chopped grill shell and need to find one that wil fit my short 29 Model A grill shell, any of you hot rodders have any advice? I'm running a 1966 289 out of a Mustang with an automatic transmission so will need a trans cooler as well and be set up to cool a ford engine.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Wow, you may find more info over on the HAMB board. I realize they don't like the term Rat Rod there ...but many of here kinda feel the same way. The answer for a radiator for cooling a 289 s/b Ford and auto transmission in a Model A with a chopped grill might be better answered over there too.

[Poor Boys Garage]

Alrighty, didn't realize this site was only for restoration purposes only. I just needed some help and didn't know where to go. I can understand to a point of people not liking Rat Rods, but its better to save old rusted sheet metal than to see it crushed. The Model A truck I have was saved from the crusher but beyond worth restoring so why not build a Rat Rod.

[Mike V. Florida]

I did not read into Brents reply anything about negative about your project but rather he mentioned a site to go to to get a proper answer as well as a warning that many on the HAMB board don't like the term Rat Rod.

While you will receive answers here, I agree that you may receive better answers to your radiator question on a aboard that specializes in modified vehicles.

Good luck with your project and I wish you many safe years with it.

[1931 flamingo]

Lots of fellows run a mustang radiator, may fit your shell configuration.
Paul in CT

[Tinker]

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Ya I think a mustang radiator is what is used by most. Hamb is your friend.

The term Rat Rod is mainly used for a poorly constructed, unsafe, slapped together vehicles.

Most have spiderwebs, rubber rats, mailbox air cleaners, etc.

I think your car looks more like a hot rod or a street rod in the works. But you call it what you want, that's your right. It is a popular term.

[Poor Boys Garage]

Alrighty, thanks for the help and I total understand about the term Rat Rod taking it to a another degree. In my eyes a Rat Rod is close to resembling the vehicle but built with using a some pieces from other vehicle and paint left untouched and sit low and the ones who do add all the junk like the mailboxes, street signs and barb wire all over are taking it to an extreme and should fall into Trash Rod category not Rat Rod. The truck I'm building borders the line between Rat Rod and Hot Rod, I'm building it more towards a traditional style of hot rod but will be left rusty. The Model A Coupe will be a very nice Traditional Hot Rod. My 29 Pickup is a tall cab and all I had was 29 Sedan Doors so I modified the hinges to work. Here's a couple of pictures of the truck, I was mocking everything up so its still has more to go.

[Tinker]

Geez, guys would flip for what you have for raw building material. Why not spend the extra months and make it something that's painted.

Seriously if your not on the hamb you should sign up.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/

[Poor Boys Garage]

The Cab was saved from a scrap pile, just laying in pieces and I decided to build a cheap low budget truck to prove that it doesn't have to be a $20k show car to be cool. So far I'm into the whole build for about $500 bucks.

[700rpm]

Hey Kansas, you might consider doing this. "Ol' Rusty" was featured on the cover of The Restorer in Sept/Oct 2005. It's a sound running Model A but finished out like we want to find them. The article says he draws as much or more attention because people say, "That's the way I remember 'em."

[Poor Boys Garage]

I'll forsure have to take a look for that article, thanks alot!

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by Poor Boys Garage

I'll forsure have to take a look for that article, thanks alot!

If you can't find it, let me know and I'll scan it and email you a copy.

[Tinker]

Hey I get what your saying. The picture in my avatar is a shot of my father (over the engine) with his "jalopy" that he built as a kid so he and his buddies could do donuts and goof off in the ditches and fields. Washbasin for a seat and an extra rim welded to the rear wheel to run a corn auger. We always had something unique on the farm

It is just my opinion (which isn't worth much ) and just sharing ideas. I like your project!!!

It is getting a 289 mustang engine so it's not really a true period 40's - 50s rod. It will be a fast little truck

Heck, some sanding, a few patches, and even some rustoleum paint (house paint with a brush) isn't all that expensive!

Here's pictures of a A truck that is nice little setup.

[Poor Boys Garage]

Thats a pretty sweet little Model A Pickup!!! I'd love to find an old Y-Block for mine so it would fall into the true traditional 50's Hot Rods but I haven't come across one, not quite sure if I want to get into a flathead with the cost of em and I already have the 289 just sitting there. But it must be a Ford Motor! I'm not fond of Chevy motors in Fords cause I am a Diehard Ford Fanatic!

[Poor Boys Garage]

Thought you guys might get a kick out of seeing these pictures, the 1st pic was of the truck when I pulled it out of the scrap pile and had it loaded up in my truck and the 2nd is of a quick mock up to see what I was working with, just tied together with baling wire.( and yes I know the bed is backwards lol) but overall not a bad little truck to start with. The doors are off a 29 Sedan. It was a bit tricky to get the hinges to match but I succeeded. I scored a real good windshield frame for 30 bucks and scored free 29 head light buckets and 29 grill shell so I'm real good shape.

[reggiedog]

HI: Sounds like u r having some real good luck with your truck????. I just wish I could find headlights and other part's as cheap as u did build a truck for 500.00 That is one hell of a feet to do I hope u have real good luck with it but u might want to put some paint on the truck just some cheap paint would do fine or else just put a sealer on the truck but that is the way I remember seeing old truck farm trucks any way out in the fields. But at least u r having fun doing what u r doing keep up the luck and don't let it run out. Best of luck reggiedog

[Poor Boys Garage]

Thanks reggiedog! I most likely will paint the truck in the future but right now I find the rust patina on it pretty cool looking. I have a long road ahead of me with plenty of time in the future to do, I am only 27. My goal is the build this truck under $1500, I stilll have to buy a wiring harness and tires and the $500 in the truck doesn't include an engine and trans. The split wishbone setup came off our model a coupe thats my avatar pic which was a $1200 car, its a 95% rust free car so I consider the already boxed frame, front end, rearend and sbc a freebie.

[KCTA Chris]

There is a lot to be said for bringing back the "rough" I had the same issue with my project. Started out with a mild pre-war Go-Job style chassis. Planned on a roadster body but when a rough truck body came along it fell into place. There is a lot to be said for leaving it rusty, I've had a blast tearing down the dirt roads and not worrying about paint, build to suit. Even getting a larger crowd (which isn't my thing) at the cruise nights than the high dollar show guys.

I've built a few and take some time and plan before you build - that is if you go the later engine route there is a lot of issues to resolve and some money to spend, and safety is a must issue. If you go OHV V8 you'll need to box the frame, update suspension for not only the weight but torque, also steering, stopping rear end, M/C all those issues plus the space. Ford is a long block, cutting the tank and firewall, column mount all that starts to add up.

Don't rule out the flatty - If your wanting to go Ford and faster you might check the HAMB for references to the Bishop Tardel book, or search A-V8. Running a flathead will get you as much go but much more traditional without all the headache. You'll find most parts are easy to swap in and find fairly inexpensive.

700RPM - I'd love to get a copy if you scan the article.

[Poor Boys Garage]

True indeed Chris, I have takin all that into consideration and have metal to box my frame and I'm running a 1940 split wishbone frontend so I have juice brakes and running a drum setup on my rear. I'm using a AA frame so I have plenty of length and have set my cab back to fit a small block and my gas tank was already cut out when I got ahold of it. I figured a boxed AA frame should be plenty stout for my set up. I agree with the leaving it rusty and not having to worry about dirt/gravel roads, I plan to use this truck as my project hunter truck, being able to cruise old towns looking for my future projects and not worring about nicks and any abuse it might take.