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Old 05-28-2018, 07:57 AM   #1
dnkcurtis
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Default Radiator Replacement

I'm having a problem with my original radiator, the over flow tube seems to have cracked or broken off at the baffle.
Taking it to a shop this week,to see the out come.
Just looking at New replacements if needed. Any input on the new aluminum styles on the market, or a good one from the Model A catalog guys??
Thanks for any input.
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Old 05-28-2018, 08:51 AM   #2
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

If you want to go cheap, they are on ebay starting at $175! However I've been told they are a bear to fit, and quality is supposedly horrendous. Search past threads, this has been discussed here before. I would go with an original style, get input from a reputable dealer like Bratton's, Snyder's, etc. They may have some well made aluminum available as well.
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Old 05-28-2018, 10:36 AM   #3
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

Copper/Brass only way to go in my opinion. the only reason OEM changed to Aluminum was for a weight saving not cooling efficiently which they are not as efficient.
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Old 05-28-2018, 06:04 PM   #4
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I purchased a rebuilt radiator from Bert's in Denver for my Huckster. Has worked great. Never overheated.
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Old 05-29-2018, 09:36 AM   #5
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

Brassworks or Bergs are the only 2 new ones ive heard worth a darn. A properly rebuilt original would also be good as long as its properly cleaned, recored, etc.
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Old 05-29-2018, 09:37 AM   #6
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin/TN View Post
Copper/Brass only way to go in my opinion. the only reason OEM changed to Aluminum was for a weight saving not cooling efficiently which they are not as efficient.
dont forget cost savings that didn't get passed to the consumer!
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Old 05-29-2018, 10:12 AM   #7
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

Just put in a new core. You won't have to deal with fitment issues.


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Old 05-30-2018, 08:39 PM   #8
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

heads up but 2 members have said brassworks lower radiator connection is way undersized so it will never seal right. Company said "tough luck" to them after spending nearly $800 on it.

Id go with Bergs or proper recore....
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Old 05-30-2018, 10:53 PM   #9
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

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heads up but 2 members have said brassworks lower radiator connection is way undersized so it will never seal right. Company said "tough luck" to them after spending nearly $800 on it.

Id go with Bergs or proper recore....
Tough luck my ass. I hope he used a credit card because it's time for a charge back to your card!!!! Now lets see how funny it is to just say "tough luck".
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Old 05-31-2018, 11:07 AM   #10
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I have a brassworks radiator it seems fine for tube sizes, I got it about 2 years ago.
it works well. I just put new hoses on last weekend and they fit fine, these were new hoses I got from one of the main A parts suppliers.

So what are the proper/design spec and as built OD dimension for the inlet and outlet on a radiator ?
What is the OD tube sizes of the brassworks radiator ?
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Old 05-31-2018, 11:45 AM   #11
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

If radiator is good but overflow tube is cracked take a piece of tygone tubing and fit it inside old tube and use a little water proof sealer, did this years ago and works fine...
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Old 05-31-2018, 01:37 PM   #12
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I replaced my Radiator in my 30 Coupe, got it from the Brass Works; the inlet was not correct, my radiator cap would not fit, I called the Brass works and they would not correct it. I will never purchase anything from them again.

When the Brass Works was in Turlock, CA they did excellent work, the guy that has the business now is sure not as reliable and will not correct problems, just kisses you off.

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Old 05-31-2018, 05:04 PM   #13
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

The last radiator that I bought came from Smith and Jones in Columbia South Carolina . I bought the heavy duty 8 fins per inch version and It fit my 30-31 roadster perfectly . It cools good and the original radiator cap fits well .
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Old 05-31-2018, 07:08 PM   #14
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

How many different fins per inch are made. I have heard about 6,8,and 10. Mine seems to be 8. Just wondering if more fins per inch dramatically improves cooling.
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Old 05-31-2018, 10:13 PM   #15
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I think that 10 fins per inch is the most fins per inch offered . The more fins per inch that are used will look less original . Eight fins don't look that bad and most won't notice the difference . More fins have been said to improve cooling and it seems to work good for me . More fins cost more but I was most concerned with cooling .
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Old 06-01-2018, 08:44 AM   #16
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

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Originally Posted by Ron in Quincy View Post
I replaced my Radiator in my 30 Coupe, got it from the Brass Works; the inlet was not correct, my radiator cap would not fit, I called the Brass works and they would not correct it. I will never purchase anything from them again.

When the Brass Works was in Turlock, CA they did excellent work, the guy that has the business now is sure not as reliable and will not correct problems, just kisses you off.

Ron
Most credit card companies will stand behind the purchaser. Ifn a CC was used for the purchase I would contact them about the fitment problem.
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Old 06-01-2018, 11:34 AM   #17
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I have just noticed that BrassWorks is no longer listing Model A or AA radiators on their website.
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Old 06-01-2018, 11:54 AM   #18
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

Berg's is the way to go. I got 3 in recent years at Hershey and Chickasha and all were good. Saved some money on shipping and he gave me some cash credit for an original core. Talk to him.


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Old 06-01-2018, 02:58 PM   #19
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I would do what Ron inQuincy suggests in post number 12 !!!
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Old 06-03-2018, 10:21 AM   #20
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I bought a Brassworks supposedly heavy duty radiator a few years back after having overheating problems with the old one. It was no better. I bought the one with more fins to the inch thinking that would improve cooling but the rotters had cut three rows back to two. It is about as useful as fly screens on a submarine.
If they are no longer listing A and AA radiators on their site, I take that as an admission they can’t do them and that makes them pretty poor performers in their line of business.
Radiators seem to be an ongoing problem for Model A owners. Surely someone can make a good one or are they like tubes and good ones are a memory.
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Old 06-03-2018, 03:16 PM   #21
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I would have the original radiator recored,the only problem that I had was the steel mounting strap under the radiator bottom tank was not flush and it would not mount correctly,I brought it back to the shop and they fixed it.
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Old 06-03-2018, 04:11 PM   #22
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

Like mentioned before, Bert's in Denver have great rebuilt ones.
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Old 06-03-2018, 08:33 PM   #23
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

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Originally Posted by Fred K-OR View Post
Like mentioned before, Bert's in Denver have great rebuilt ones.
I bought one from Snyder's last year I didn't tell them what I wanted what I did tell them was to send me the best radiator they had. It fit like a glove and cools the old model A like a champ. These vendors know what they have and if you can't trust them don't do business with

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Old 06-04-2018, 12:26 AM   #24
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I got Bratton's heavy duty radiator for my 28 Tudor a few months ago. Fits like a glove, cools great. Solved my overheating problem and looks good.
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Old 06-04-2018, 07:58 AM   #25
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I just replaced my old leaky radiator last weekend. I got a Berg's radiator based on a search of posts from this site which all seemed to have good things to say about Berg's. It fits perfect and appears to be really well-constructed!
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Old 06-09-2018, 11:17 AM   #26
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My 1930 Radiator, on the car I purchased just was beyond use. The car had been a cosmetic showroom vehicle and not really used. I did some looking around, and found a fellow on ebay, which can be kind of scary, but, I took a chance and bought a radiator from him. He is in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Installation of a replacement showed up a difference in the top neck length but other than that a perfect fit, and no more overheating. It has 9 fins per inch flat fin style, and has three rows of about 100 tubes ( a bit more than the one I took off)
Here is the title on ebay! His feedback is 100% Brand NEW Ford Model A Radiator HEAVY DUTY 1930 1931 Aftermarket BRASS & COPPER
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Old 06-09-2018, 09:54 PM   #27
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I just bought one from Bergs. Looks great and heavy duty!
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Old 06-09-2018, 11:18 PM   #28
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

Just fitted a 10 fin radiator from Snyders - took a minimum amount of fitting and works great. Car runs cool even in the 95 degree Texas heat. Don't forget to add an outlet filter!
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Old 06-13-2018, 01:08 AM   #29
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement



The Brassworks site still shows they have Model A & AA reproduction radiators.. I see that multiple posters say they’ve removed from their website, but they’re listed.

Does anyone recommend any of the radiators from Snyder’s? I see that Bratton’s, Model A Medic, and Bert’s all sell the Brassworks radiators.


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Old 06-13-2018, 10:04 AM   #30
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I spoke with Snyders and Bergs yesterday. Snyders are made by Independent Radiator Co.

Bergs wait time is at least 4 weeks. Bergs are $200 more than Snyder.
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Old 07-15-2018, 09:01 AM   #31
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I installed a Bergs 13 fin radiator. It is a first class build. WOW, WOW,WOW. Oh did I say wow.

It cooled me off by at least 30 degrees. Before on 20 minute run at 55-60 i would get up to 200-210. No front license plate installed. At 45 mph and under it would stay around 185. The problem was always at speed.

Now, on a 90 degree day at 60 mph for 45 minutes the car stayed at 170-175. And this was with the front license plate installed.

This goes to show you that a flow tested radiator doesn't mean much as far as cooling.
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Old 07-18-2018, 11:15 AM   #32
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

Last fall I installed a 4 row radiator from Bert's Model A Ford Center in Colorado. I just came back from the MAFCA Convention in Sparks. It was 95 degrees everyday. I took one long hill climb tour to Virginia City. I also took a tour to Lake Tahoe. Went through Carson City and over the 8,000 ft Spooner Pass in 95 degree heat. Used 2nd over for over 5 miles during the climb. I also drove across California's Central Valley going to and from the Convention. Now for the good part; my A never went over 180 degrees climbing mountains, and, in fact, the A stayed at 175 degrees on a flat road. I totaled over 800 miles on this tour. I am super happy with the Bert's 4 row radiator!!!!!
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Old 07-18-2018, 01:43 PM   #33
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Quote:
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Just fitted a 10 fin radiator from Snyders - took a minimum amount of fitting and works great. Car runs cool even in the 95 degree Texas heat. Don't forget to add an outlet filter!
Outlet filter?
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Old 07-21-2018, 03:21 AM   #34
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Outlet filter is installed in the upper radiator hose to catch crud from going into the radiator. You can buy an expensive gano filter or go to Amazon or the dollar store and get some stainless screens that work very well.
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Old 07-21-2018, 01:07 PM   #35
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I installed the 10 fin radiator I purchased from Snyders about 3 months ago. Very pleased with it, as I have been running my '29 around town in 100 degree-plus Texas weather for several days and no overheating issues at all. Snyders shipping and services is awesome, as well. I also installed a transparent plastic Gano filter and can tell you it does a great job, but admit I'm a bit concerned about its life span, as its beginning to craze a bit. Its still in one piece, so time will tell. If doing it over, I think I would have gone with the brass-bodied version.
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Old 07-22-2018, 11:10 AM   #36
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Default Re: Radiator Replacement

I have had a Bert’s 4 row radiator for several years in my Tudor. It is a very good quality radiator.

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