Radiator Rubber Pad Thickness

[Y-Blockhead]

I pulled my radiator out today due to a crack along the seam of the top tank and took it to the shop for a "Tune Up"..

While waiting for the radiator shop to do their thing I'm collecting parts for the reinstall.

I noticed the rubber radiator pads that were installed are flattened, brittle and hard as a rock. I ordered new pads but of coarse they are not the same as the ones that were in the car. And who's to say the ones that were in there are correct. Does anyone know the proper thickness (or an educated guess) of the stock pad thickness?

Thanks,

[Tom Wesenberg]

About 3/16" should be good.
My 1928 has the original pads, which are made from woven brake lining, that looks like it was compressed by a thousand ton steam roller.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

About 3/16" should be good.
My 1928 has the original pads, which are made from woven brake lining, that looks like it was compressed by a thousand ton steam roller.

Thanks Tom. The new ones I got are ~1/8". The old hard ones that I pulled out look like at one time were ~5/16".

[Tom Wesenberg]

The main thing is to get good hood and body gaps, so adjust as needed.

[katy]

How about making new ones from the sidewall of an old tire?

[Y-Blockhead]

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Originally Posted by katy

How about making new ones from the sidewall of an old tire?

Thanks Katy, I was thinking along those lines. I have some muffler mount straps for a modern car that appear to be made from tire sidewall I have been eyeing. They are ~ 3/8" thick so I can trim them to any thickness I need as Tom suggested for the hood gaps. They already have holes drilled in them altho a little small for the radiator mount bolts.

I'll have to wait 'til I get the radiator back to see what I need.

[figment]

The cars originaly had a black reinforced rubber pad or a oak tanned leather pad . Either of them measured 1 3/4 inches by 1 1/4 inches and about 5/32 thick. The hole was offset to one side to line up with the radiator mounting flange. This information and more is in the restoration guidelines. Norm

[Y-Blockhead]

Thanks Norm. Ya know, I didn't even think of looking in there. I swear, sometimes...

[RonC]

They were brake lining

[Tom Wesenberg]

I picked up a mud flap in the ditch, from a semi, and that is made from fabric reinforced rubber, which is perfect for making shims.

[denniskliesen]

Y-Blockhead, If there is a OSH Orchard Supply up your way they have what they call diaphragm material that is in thickness of 1/8" and 1/16" they cut to the size you need. It is woven reinforced 2 plys in the 1/8" and single woven in the 1/16" I used it for my body mounts recently and is working perfect. Like Tom said hood alignment will determine thickness. Make sure your lower radiator neck and hose is not resting on the crossmember. My body mounts are all 3/16" measured old pads that were not compressed on edges, radiator pads ended up 1/8" for a perfect fit hood alignment.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by denniskliesen

Y-Blockhead, If there is a OSH Orchard Supply up your way they have what they call diaphragm material that is in thickness of 1/8" and 1/16" they cut to the size you need. It is woven reinforced 2 plys in the 1/8" and single woven in the 1/16" I used it for my body mounts recently and is working perfect. Like Tom said hood alignment will determine thickness. Make sure your lower radiator neck and hose is not resting on the crossmember. My body mounts are all 3/16" measured old pads that were not compressed on edges, radiator pads ended up 1/8" for a perfect fit hood alignment.

Awesome, Thanks for the tip.