The Ford Barn

Mike Peters · 01-31-2022, 10:51 PM

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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,001
Default Re: Is it a 2 or 3 core radiator??
Sure, the number of rows of tubes affects the cooling efficiency of the radiator but another is the number of fins. More fins, more cooling. I've seen anything from 5 1/2 fins per inch to 11. All of that is assuming the fins are attached to the tubes well and all else (cleanliness etc) are right.

Rather than hijack another thread, I copied Arnold's comments (above) regarding radiator fins.
Some years back, a local Model A parts vendor told me that the more radiator fins per inch, the less air can pass through the radiator for cooling, and conversely, the fewer fins, then more air can pass, etc. So, the question becomes, at what point does the number of radiator fins per inch become restrictive to air flow, and reduce cooling efficiency? Vendors now offer a choice of 5 1/2 fins per inch, or an 8 fins per inch radiator, and claim that the 8 fin radiator does a better job of cooling. Arnold also mentioned an 11 fins per inch radiator. I have no idea if that would cause excess air flow restriction or not. Comments?

ETAModel · 02-01-2022, 12:24 AM

I noticed Bratton's has 5 1/2 fins per inch...Yikes...another thing to keep me up nights??? I'll have to brave the storm and go see for myself what she has.

nkaminar · 02-01-2022, 06:48 AM

My Bergs radiator has 3 rows and 12 fins per inch and cools very nicely. It is not any thicker than the stock radiator. The air seems to not be restricted at all. I suspect that Bergs has done the research to optimize the number of fins per inch. See http://www.bergsradiator.com/modela.html

Big hammer · 02-01-2022, 06:49 AM

My new last year Berg’s radiator has 11 fin’s per inch, it cools way to good ! It needed a thermostat so the engine would run better even in the summer (160*), I need to get a 180* for fall spring driving!

Mike Peters · 02-01-2022, 08:24 AM

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I didn't know that Bergs sells a 12 fins per inch radiator, and it works very well. Thanks for the info, guys.

01-31-2022, 10:51 PM	#1
Mike Peters Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 1,279	number of radiator fins per inch Senior Member Synchro909's Avatar Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 6,001 Default Re: Is it a 2 or 3 core radiator?? Sure, the number of rows of tubes affects the cooling efficiency of the radiator but another is the number of fins. More fins, more cooling. I've seen anything from 5 1/2 fins per inch to 11. All of that is assuming the fins are attached to the tubes well and all else (cleanliness etc) are right. Rather than hijack another thread, I copied Arnold's comments (above) regarding radiator fins. Some years back, a local Model A parts vendor told me that the more radiator fins per inch, the less air can pass through the radiator for cooling, and conversely, the fewer fins, then more air can pass, etc. So, the question becomes, at what point does the number of radiator fins per inch become restrictive to air flow, and reduce cooling efficiency? Vendors now offer a choice of 5 1/2 fins per inch, or an 8 fins per inch radiator, and claim that the 8 fin radiator does a better job of cooling. Arnold also mentioned an 11 fins per inch radiator. I have no idea if that would cause excess air flow restriction or not. Comments?

02-01-2022, 12:24 AM	#2
ETAModel Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Along the Red River, Texas Posts: 360	Re: number of radiator fins per inch I noticed Bratton's has 5 1/2 fins per inch...Yikes...another thing to keep me up nights??? I'll have to brave the storm and go see for myself what she has.

02-01-2022, 06:48 AM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,903	Re: number of radiator fins per inch My Bergs radiator has 3 rows and 12 fins per inch and cools very nicely. It is not any thicker than the stock radiator. The air seems to not be restricted at all. I suspect that Bergs has done the research to optimize the number of fins per inch. See http://www.bergsradiator.com/modela.html __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-01-2022, 06:49 AM	#4
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: number of radiator fins per inch My new last year Berg’s radiator has 11 fin’s per inch, it cools way to good ! It needed a thermostat so the engine would run better even in the summer (160), I need to get a 180 for fall spring driving! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

02-01-2022, 08:24 AM	#5
Mike Peters Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 1,279	Re: number of radiator fins per inch Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I didn't know that Bergs sells a 12 fins per inch radiator, and it works very well. Thanks for the info, guys.