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Old 08-30-2020, 10:01 AM   #1
stevests
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Default Best Replacement Radiator

What's seems to be the general consensus regarding the currently available replacement radiators for a '29 P/U as far as fit & efficiency ?
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Old 08-30-2020, 10:03 AM   #2
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

I brought a new one from Snyder’s which an excellent fit and price.


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Old 08-30-2020, 03:22 PM   #3
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

Recently I’ve heard good things about all of them, Brassworks, Bergs, and Snyder’s HD. Seems like Bergs might be the highest quality but you wouldn’t go wrong with any of them.
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Old 08-30-2020, 06:34 PM   #4
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

I had trouble with the radiator in my Phaeton a while ago. It was almost good enough but not quite. The temperature would slowly rise till after a lot of miles, it would boil. I put in a new Brassworks heavy duty radiator and there was NO difference. Money down the drain.
I have an old Model A radiator here with a honeycomb core. I have no idea how good it is but I think I will put a modern core in it.
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Old 08-30-2020, 06:38 PM   #5
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

I recently purchased a new one from Bratton’s. The fit was excellent.


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Old 08-30-2020, 06:46 PM   #6
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G'day 99! If that new Brassworks did not fix the problem...How long has it been since you changed your head gasket? We're suppose to torque them cold, once a year and most of us don't. I wonder if yours is loose or has failed...often a bad gasket does not give any evidence...yet when you pull the head, the gasket is toast! At that point, flush the block and the head...radiators often get blamed for things they did not do! Ask me how I know...Ernie in Arizona
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Old 08-30-2020, 07:21 PM   #7
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

There are volumes of opinions. Brassworks, Bergs and Snyder’s HD seem to all be in the same ballpark, Six of one and half a dozen of the other, flip a coin.
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Old 08-30-2020, 07:27 PM   #8
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

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Originally Posted by Ernie Vitucci View Post
G'day 99! If that new Brassworks did not fix the problem...How long has it been since you changed your head gasket? We're suppose to torque them cold, once a year and most of us don't. I wonder if yours is loose or has failed...often a bad gasket does not give any evidence...yet when you pull the head, the gasket is toast! At that point, flush the block and the head...radiators often get blamed for things they did not do! Ask me how I know...Ernie in Arizona

Is there a reference for the requirement to do an annual cold head torque? First I've heard of it!
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Old 08-30-2020, 09:20 PM   #9
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

My Bratton's radiator for my 28 Tudor fit like a glove and keeps three engine below 180 even on 90+ degree days.
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Old 08-30-2020, 10:16 PM   #10
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

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Originally Posted by Ernie Vitucci View Post
G'day 99! If that new Brassworks did not fix the problem...How long has it been since you changed your head gasket? We're suppose to torque them cold, once a year and most of us don't. I wonder if yours is loose or has failed...often a bad gasket does not give any evidence...yet when you pull the head, the gasket is toast! At that point, flush the block and the head...radiators often get blamed for things they did not do! Ask me how I know...Ernie in Arizona
Ernie, the head gasket has been replaced twice since then - (both times )unnecessarily.
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Old 08-30-2020, 11:44 PM   #11
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

Just because you bought the radiator from Snyder's or Bratton's does not mean they made them or even had them made for them. Not sure but I am thinking the Snyder's are made by Brassworks.
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Old 08-31-2020, 04:58 AM   #12
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

Bergs is the best.

It will outperform a Snyders HD (brassworks) all day long. You will pay a little more for Bergs, but there is a reason for that.
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Old 08-31-2020, 10:01 AM   #13
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

Thanks fellas - appreciate the input !
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Old 08-31-2020, 10:59 AM   #14
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

I think you will find that the Radiators that Snyders's and Bratton's sell (unless they state Brassworks) are most likely provided by Independent Antique Radiator Mfg. Inc. http://www.oldradman.com/ they list them as distributors, and the descriptions match up. I walked thru their facility in Algonquin Il. high quality, hand made, awesome radiator...
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Old 08-31-2020, 08:52 PM   #15
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

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I think you will find that the Radiators that Snyders's and Bratton's sell (unless they state Brassworks) are most likely provided by Independent Antique Radiator Mfg. Inc. http://www.oldradman.com/ they list them as distributors, and the descriptions match up. I walked thru their facility in Algonquin Il. high quality, hand made, awesome radiator...

Thank you.
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Old 09-01-2020, 09:18 AM   #16
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

I called Brattons last year asking who their supplier was for their radiators and I'm pretty sure it was IAR for the ones that weren't explicitly listed as Brassworks. What is confusing is that the BW website lists a 6 FPI and a 10FPI radiator for the exact same price as the Brattons/Snyders ones... maybe they're also reselling the IAR radiators?
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Old 09-01-2020, 10:10 AM   #17
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevests View Post
What's seems to be the general consensus regarding the currently available replacement radiators for a '29 P/U as far as fit & efficiency ?
My Berg's is amazing. I have had it out on 100* days, and it barely reaches operating temperature. Their's is also the only one with cast bronze hose bibs. Mine is in a 29 RPU. I'm thinking of using a thermostat to get the temp up in cooler weather. Expensive, but cooling is the number one priority for having an enjoyable ride.
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Old 09-01-2020, 12:13 PM   #18
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

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My Berg's is amazing. I have had it out on 100* days, and it barely reaches operating temperature. Their's is also the only one with cast bronze hose bibs. Mine is in a 29 RPU. I'm thinking of using a thermostat to get the temp up in cooler weather. Expensive, but cooling is the number one priority for having an enjoyable ride.

This is how I added my thermostat. It works great.


http://www.vintageprecision.com/prod...ing/index.html


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Old 09-01-2020, 03:48 PM   #19
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Default Re: Best Replacement Radiator

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Bergs is the best.

It will outperform a Snyders HD (brassworks) all day long. You will pay a little more for Bergs, but there is a reason for that.
So let me ask this, ...what makes one better than the other? Exactly what is the reason for the extra money?

If that was not clear enough, please allow me to ask this a different way, ...I know that Gery Bergbower is using original tanks while Lee is manufacturing his own tanks, ...but where is Gery getting his cores? I know where Lee is getting his.

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Old 09-01-2020, 03:58 PM   #20
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Brent, exactly what are you saying, without being coy?
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