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Old 08-30-2020, 12:03 PM   #21
Bob C
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Default Re: How are 28-29 and 30-31 radiators different?

Do you have a screw on cap or 1/4 turn? I measured my 1930 and the measurements
are fan blade 12 o'clock to core 1 3/4" tip of shaft 3/4" blade 6 o'clock 3/4".
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Old 08-30-2020, 01:20 PM   #22
J Franklin
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Default Re: How are 28-29 and 30-31 radiators different?

I am beginning to think you should leave this part of the project until the body is in place. To get things running just use the radiator as is for now. I think you are working/worrying too far ahead.
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Old 08-30-2020, 02:15 PM   #23
CabrioletDon
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Default Re: How are 28-29 and 30-31 radiators different?

BobC...The radiator has a 1/4 turn cap. I'm sure the fan that's on the car is different than yours, as it's a 4-blade, vs the original 2 blade, and the shaft literally sticks out as far as the blades themselves.

J (Franklin), maybe you're right...this car has run twice before--once in about 1992 when it was originally assembled, and once in the fall of 2018 before I discovered the cross member issue. I just hated to let the engine/trans/bearings/brakes sit too long while I work on the body...I've had the oil pan off and cleaned it out, but since the coolant channels in the engine have had water/coolant in them they are probably rusting now. I will begin assembling, welding, fitting the body components on a build table to avoid the wear and tear on the frame, but I figure it will be a year or two before all of the components are ready to go on the frame.
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Old 08-30-2020, 04:47 PM   #24
GPierce
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Default Re: How are 28-29 and 30-31 radiators different?

I’ve got. 30-31 radiator in my attic. Would a picture of that help?
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Old 08-31-2020, 07:59 AM   #25
CabrioletDon
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Default Re: How are 28-29 and 30-31 radiators different?

Thanks, GPierce...when you get a moment, I would love a photo of the radiator you have, and if the lower mounting brackets and holes are possible to show, that would be very helpful to begin to figure out what I've got and why it is not fitting correctly. I'm also working on getting some specs and measurements for the 28-29 vs. 30-31 radiators, which I'll post here when I get them...maybe they will help someone in the future!

Last edited by CabrioletDon; 08-31-2020 at 08:00 AM. Reason: forgot a word
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Old 08-31-2020, 08:19 AM   #26
ryanheacox
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Default Re: How are 28-29 and 30-31 radiators different?

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As long as the water neck is a 30-31 the hose should be a straight shot from the neck outlet to the radiator inlet. If the radiator were a 28-29 I don't think it would line up at all. The 1/4 turn cap would also indicate a 30-31. Also, just slip the radiator shell over it, if it fits then you're good to go.
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Old 09-01-2020, 08:42 AM   #27
GPierce
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Default Re: How are 28-29 and 30-31 radiators different?

Hope this helps. If you need somthing else let me know.
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Old 09-01-2020, 09:42 AM   #28
CabrioletDon
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Default Re: How are 28-29 and 30-31 radiators different?

Thanks so much for taking and posting these photos for me, GPierce, they were very helpful! What you showed is similar to my radiator in some respects (neck outlet, mounting brackets, etc.), but different in some ways, too. I talked with Lee at Brassworks yesterday and sent him some photos. Along with his assessment and your photos, I believe that my radiator is not OEM, but probably was made in the 80's or 90's to fit a 30-31, although some of the visual details are from the 28-29, like the design on the upper tank. From what I've seen and been able to put together so far, the 28-29 radiator core was shorter and wider at about 19 3/4" tall x 19 1/8" wide, where the 30-31 core is taller and skinnier at about 22 1/2" tall x 18 1/8" wide. The number and shape of tubes and and fin count (and profile) seems to vary widely based on the originality and cooling efficiency of what's needed--all the way from round tubes to oval tubes to flat tubes, and from as few as 5 fins per inch all the way to 10 fins per inch. Like many other decisions on our cars, I guess mine will come down to how much do I want to spend for the best cooling, the most original look, and the best fit. Thanks everyone to contributing to this question!
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Old 09-01-2020, 10:03 AM   #29
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: How are 28-29 and 30-31 radiators different?

The radiators used on the 30-31 cars were taller than the radiators that were used on the 28-29 model A cars . The radiators that were used on the pick ups and AAs were the same as the 28-29 radiators until around june 1930 . The taller radiators that was used on the AA trucks after june 1930 were thicker than the tall 30-31 car radiators .

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