The Ford Barn

malpais · 11-09-2012, 10:39 PM

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"!

1931 flamingo · 11-10-2012, 07:50 AM

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

Dick · 11-10-2012, 08:57 AM

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

malpais · 11-10-2012, 09:43 AM

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

V12Bill · 11-10-2012, 09:44 AM

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.

Kevin in MT · 11-10-2012, 09:49 AM

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

Dec211975 · 11-10-2012, 10:03 AM

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

Kevin in MT · 11-10-2012, 10:35 AM

39 pu radiator photos, hope this works

tom/illinois · 11-10-2012, 11:18 AM

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.

Dec211975 · 11-10-2012, 01:46 PM

Thanks for the pictures Kevin. Regards, Brian

V12Bill · 11-10-2012, 04:38 PM

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

Lamar Wadsworth · 11-21-2012, 04:30 PM

'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.

malpais · 11-21-2012, 07:51 PM

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

V12Bill · 11-23-2012, 11:16 AM

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?

11-09-2012, 10:39 PM	#1
malpais Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 506	'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"!

11-10-2012, 07:50 AM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: '39 commercial radiators Much cheaper than a replacement............JMO Paul in CT

11-10-2012, 08:57 AM	#3
Dick Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Deer Lodge, MT Posts: 680	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.

11-10-2012, 09:43 AM	#4
malpais Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 506	Re: '39 commercial radiators Thanks, I was thinking I'd have a recore. __________________ Don't mind learning from my mistakes. Just wish I didn't learn EVERYTHING from my mistakes..

11-10-2012, 09:44 AM	#5
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	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.

11-10-2012, 09:49 AM	#6
Kevin in MT Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 18	Re: '39 commercial radiators Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) i've never posted photo's but if you have a cell phone i could text you photo's of my 39 pickup radiator.

11-10-2012, 10:03 AM	#7
Dec211975 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Monroe, Wi Posts: 274	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

11-10-2012, 11:18 AM	#9
tom/illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southern illinois Posts: 155	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.

11-10-2012, 01:46 PM	#10
Dec211975 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Monroe, Wi Posts: 274	Re: '39 commercial radiators Thanks for the pictures Kevin. Regards, Brian

11-10-2012, 04:38 PM	#11
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Re: '39 commercial radiators Thanks for the picture. Mine is totally different. Like everything else on the truck.

11-21-2012, 04:30 PM	#12
Lamar Wadsworth Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 335	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.

11-21-2012, 07:51 PM	#13
malpais Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 506	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 __________________ Don't mind learning from my mistakes. Just wish I didn't learn EVERYTHING from my mistakes..

11-23-2012, 11:16 AM	#14
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	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?