Overheating Issue SOLVED!

[Ken/Alabama]

Today I removed the reproduction 40 radiator from my 40 Tudor then removed the radiator from my 40 Coupe and put it in the Tudor. Took it on a 20 mile run and got into some stop and go traffic. Temp gauge never got above the Normal mark.

[petehoovie]

[oldskool]

glad you found the problem them radiators aren't cheap i was lucky to find a real nice original one for my 40 runs cool like yours maybe a little cooler as i added a shroud

[swoopNZ]

Was your repro one from Drake - they look pretty good.

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by swoopNZ

Was your repro one from Drake - they look pretty good.

Yes it is , It looks great and fits great but it just will not cool. As we say here in the south,$850 up a Hogs azz !

[cadillac512]

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Good job,Ken. Geez....I'd be a bit cross after spending the bucks for that sub-standard rad.


Terry

[cas3]

That is quite a story. I wonder if somehow some of the tubes got plugged? When people make radiators, Drake or whoever, they all buy the generic cores from only a few places that make them. They are cut to size, then the headers and tanks installed that make them vehicle specific. Certainly the manufacturer could not survive sell expensive things that don't work, so I suspect there is something wrong with yours. I also suspect Drake will tell you to take a hike. Good you got it figured out.

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by cas3

That is quite a story. I wonder if somehow some of the tubes got plugged? When people make radiators, Drake or whoever, they all buy the generic cores from only a few places that make them. They are cut to size, then the headers and tanks installed that make them vehicle specific. Certainly the manufacturer could not survive sell expensive things that don't work, so I suspect there is something wrong with yours. I also suspect Drake will tell you to take a hike. Good you got it figured out.

Just so happens my cousin in law that I’ve known since first grade is operating his family’s radiator shop that’s been in business for over 100 years here. I’m gonna take it to him and let him see what’s going on with it .

[deuce_roadster]

I have a Drake radiator in my 40 coupe. Never gets above the calibration mark on the temp gauge (which I think is 170). Engine is not stock, 4" crank, Ross pistons, mild cam, Holley 4bbl with dual exhaust. Of course this is just 1 data point.

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

I have a Drake radiator in my 40 coupe. Never gets above the calibration mark on the temp gauge (which I think is 170). Engine is not stock, 4" crank, Ross pistons, mild cam, Holley 4bbl with dual exhaust. Of course this is just 1 data point.

Wow, that’s great . Before I purchased that radiator I reached out for any reviews good or bad. The only reviews I seen ,and they were few, were good. Maybe I just got a bad one. Who knows ?

[tomcarman]

Sounds like you got a defective one? It would be interesting to somehow set it up vertically on say some saw horses and run water through it with a garden hose just to see if there is some internal blockage. Nonetheless it's great you're backup and running!

[KiWinUS]

Great to hear Ken.

[19Fordy]

Ken, That's great news.

PLEASE be sure to have your cousin take photos of what the interior of the DRAKE radiator looks like and what specifically caused the overheating.

Then contact DRAKE , let him know and ask for a refund or a least a credit.

[slowforty]

Not to hijack this thread (too late) but i have a radiator that looks like a 40 radiator but is an inch larger all the way around with a shroud. anyone know what it is for? thanks

[oldskool]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Ken, That's great news.

PLEASE be sure to have your cousin take photos of what the interior of the DRAKE radiator looks like and what specifically caused the overheating.

Then contact DRAKE , let him know and ask for a refund or a least a credit.

it maybe better to contact drake first and see what they say

[Flathead Fever]

Check the number of tubes and the size of the tubes and compare them to the original. I had one new radiator at work where they used so much solder it plugged the tops of the tubes. How could they not have seen that? If it was still in the car, you could have taken infrared thermometer and seen if some tubes are not getting hot, meaning they are plugged.

I had aftermarket Modal A radiator break the mounting bracket off of the radiator on the first road trip. It was half the thickness of the original. After that, no more repro radiators for me only, re-cored originals.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by oldskool

it maybe better to contact drake first and see what they say

They WILL likely say: "Wow, we have never heard that problem before."©

I believe they may hold the copyright on that phrase. Coop

.

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by slowforty

Not to hijack this thread (too late) but i have a radiator that looks like a 40 radiator but is an inch larger all the way around with a shroud. anyone know what it is for? thanks

Big truck?

[38convsedan]

I’ll bet that’s a relief!!!

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

They WILL likely say: "Wow, we have never heard that problem before."©

I believe they may hold the copyright on that phrase. Coop

.

I did talk to the folks at Bob Drake today and explained the problem. They’re going to get back with me tomorrow.

[Scott52]

One problem, Ken still needs a radiator. One radiator between 2 cars is inconvenient to say the least. I have been using the same radiator shop for the last 15 years. The owner used to be young but he’s catching up to me. Hope to heAr how the Drake conversation goes.

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

I did talk to the folks at Bob Drake today and explained the problem. They’re going to get back with me tomorrow.

Well , the good folks at Bob Drake never called me back today. So I’ll take it to the radiator shop and let them remove the top tank to see if we can figure out why it won’t cool.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

Well , the good folks at Bob Drake never called me back today. So I’ll take it to the radiator shop and let them remove the top tank to see if we can figure out why it won’t cool.

I'm sorry to hear that, Ken. As you surely know, "BD" USED to be an entity of major note. Today.....headed the same way that Nash Rambler went....pretty freakin' sad! Coop

.

[cas3]

I used to have an old radiator guy who would make anything you want. I had him make a couple custom units for me, like a radiator to fit a 47 Diamond T with a 5.9 cummins motor I built 20 years ago. For that project, he went into the back room to look at all the new truck radiators he had bought at auctions and dealer close-outs, picked out one that was close, then removed the tanks, shortened the headers, and made custom tanks for my application all on a new core, for about 400 bucks IIRC. This was 20 years ago of coarse, and sadly, like all good radiator men he died from lead poisoning. I tell this story because he is the guy who taught me there is only a few places that make the cores, and then other company's cut them to size and build it to what vehicle it fits. So, my point is, I'm sure Kens cousin will find a flow problem, most likely due to a messy solder job on the header, and most likely not caught on final inspection. Interesting thread, good luck Ken, as Drake will assume you are just another dim-wit, and we know you are not!

[Gene1949]

The choir has been preaching forever;
use your local radiator shop that service the local race track use. They know all about cooling.
Some of these "reproduction" outfits sell/drop ship the cheapest junk on the market

[fortyfords]

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There can't be anything more frustrating than paying a lot for a good part from a reputable dealer and have it not work. And when the reputable dealer doesn't stand behind it; it's even worse. Just think how much Ken would have been chasing his tail if he didn't have a spare radiator.

[mfirth]

Saddly, like chrome shops, radiator shops seem to be going away ..... I remember one man service garages & Rad. shops, now all gone. The few left working on our old Fords are getting old too .......

[kurt v]

Ken , did you take the rad to the shop to find out what the problem is ?

[drolston]

Originally Posted by slowforty

Not to hijack this thread (too late) but i have a radiator that looks like a 40 radiator but is an inch larger all the way around with a shroud. anyone know what it is for? thanks

What are the numbers on the back side of the top tank? May be for a truck.

[Lawson Cox]

Originally Posted by ken/alabama

i did talk to the folks at bob drake today and explained the problem. They’re going to get back with me tomorrow.

roflmao

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by kurt v

Ken , did you take the rad to the shop to find out what the problem is ?

Not yet. My radiator guy has been on vacation so I’ll get it to him next week.

[Karl Wescott]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

They WILL likely say: "Wow, we have never heard that problem before."©

I believe they may hold the copyright on that phrase. Coop

.

I doubt they hold the "copyright", but they sure are good at reproducing it! Maybe one day excuses will be "out of stock"! lol

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Karl Wescott

I doubt they hold the "copyright", but they sure are good at reproducing it! Maybe one day excuses will be "out of stock"! lol

Or maybe even more infamously......on "BACK-ORDER"!

That WAS a good one, Karl! Coop/AMERICAN

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[40cpe]

Ken, I saw this picture on another thread. Is it the permanent solution to your overheating problem? Is it a Griffin radiator?

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by 40cpe

Ken, I saw this picture on another thread. Is it the permanent solution to your overheating problem? Is it a Griffin radiator?

No, that’s my convertible. The overheating issue is with my 40 Tudor. I removed the radiator from my 40 Coupe and put it in the Tudor. Heating issues went away. The Bob Drake radiator is now at the radiator shop. To answer your question, yes that is a Griffin radiator in my Convertible.

[40cpe]

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

yes that is a Griffin radiator in my Convertible.

Griffins cool great. I ran one in my '40 for about 15 years.