The Ford Barn

pebo va · 10-05-2020, 07:13 PM

I purchased a "new" stock '34 radiator from Brassworks advertised as a "drop in".
When I installed it, a number of things didn't line up like my original. I have been able to work around most of the alignment problems but the biggest problem is that the top tank is too vertical so that the fan scrapes the top of the radiator hoses. I have maxed out pulling the top back towards fire wall. My only temporary solution is to move the generator and fan forward to clear the hoses. But this takes the generator mounting bracket out of the groove on the intake manifold. I think that is dangerous.
Does anyone have a solution?

petehoovie · 10-05-2020, 07:35 PM

Show us some pictures of what you have....

JSeery · 10-05-2020, 07:42 PM

I'm a bit confused, the fan should be in a recessed area in the bottom of the top tank. My Brassworks tank fits almost perfect, seems like something is wrong here. Post some photos.

cas3 · 10-05-2020, 09:38 PM

my brassworks radiator fit fine too. do you have the correct length fan?

koates · 10-06-2020, 03:35 AM

I understand the problem you are having exactly. Firstly you can not modify the generator mounting because this is only sidestepping the problem and will also throw the fan belt out of alignment with the water pump and crankshaft pulleys. Seems that the new radiator is standing a touch too vertical and allowing the tips of the fan blades to hit the top of the hoses. Something that should be done before the new radiator is fitted is to stand it up beside the old original one and carefully measure all dimensions and angles and make sure all is the same. If something is different then call Brassworks. The whole front of the car relies on the exact position of the radiator to make alignment of grille, hood top and sides etc. Maybe the radiator mount feet at the bottom are out of position and need to be more forward or the radiator is too high. I guess you have run out of adjustment on the radiator support rods. Lots to look at here so take your time and it will become apparent. Regards, Kevin.

pebo va · 10-06-2020, 05:57 AM

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You have described my problem perfectly! I lined the two up side by side before the installation and the new one looked correct but I did not take measurements. I cannot adjust the support rods any more as I have slightly bent the bracket on the radiator top. That bracket is much thinner metal than on the original radiator. I will have to take the new one off again and accurately measure.

jimTN · 10-06-2020, 06:24 AM

There is one small item here that could be wrong, it is possible you have the wrong fan. There is a difference in the fan hub length 33 thru 39. That would be worth checking with another 34. Other than that, return the radiator after calling Brassworks with the correct measurements.

Bored&Stroked · 10-07-2020, 09:51 AM

Another option is to have a small fan spacer made - say 1/4" thick . . . this would move your fan forward enough to clear the hoses. Would be a simple piece to make our of aluminum. Obviously you'd need a bit longer fan bolts - but an easy potential solution.

pebo va · 10-10-2020, 11:04 AM

Thanks. That is a possibility. the various fans for a '34 are shown in the EFV-8 club restoration book Time to measure!

hop up · 10-14-2020, 07:09 AM

Another thing I noticed is fan pullies and generators that have different positioning

10-05-2020, 07:13 PM	#1
pebo va Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 62	'34 Radiator Problem I purchased a "new" stock '34 radiator from Brassworks advertised as a "drop in". When I installed it, a number of things didn't line up like my original. I have been able to work around most of the alignment problems but the biggest problem is that the top tank is too vertical so that the fan scrapes the top of the radiator hoses. I have maxed out pulling the top back towards fire wall. My only temporary solution is to move the generator and fan forward to clear the hoses. But this takes the generator mounting bracket out of the groove on the intake manifold. I think that is dangerous. Does anyone have a solution?

10-05-2020, 07:35 PM	#2
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,075	Re: '34 Radiator Problem Show us some pictures of what you have.... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

10-05-2020, 07:42 PM	#3
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: '34 Radiator Problem I'm a bit confused, the fan should be in a recessed area in the bottom of the top tank. My Brassworks tank fits almost perfect, seems like something is wrong here. Post some photos.

10-05-2020, 09:38 PM	#4
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,567	Re: '34 Radiator Problem my brassworks radiator fit fine too. do you have the correct length fan?

10-06-2020, 03:35 AM	#5
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,078	Re: '34 Radiator Problem I understand the problem you are having exactly. Firstly you can not modify the generator mounting because this is only sidestepping the problem and will also throw the fan belt out of alignment with the water pump and crankshaft pulleys. Seems that the new radiator is standing a touch too vertical and allowing the tips of the fan blades to hit the top of the hoses. Something that should be done before the new radiator is fitted is to stand it up beside the old original one and carefully measure all dimensions and angles and make sure all is the same. If something is different then call Brassworks. The whole front of the car relies on the exact position of the radiator to make alignment of grille, hood top and sides etc. Maybe the radiator mount feet at the bottom are out of position and need to be more forward or the radiator is too high. I guess you have run out of adjustment on the radiator support rods. Lots to look at here so take your time and it will become apparent. Regards, Kevin.

10-06-2020, 05:57 AM	#6
pebo va Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 62	Re: '34 Radiator Problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You have described my problem perfectly! I lined the two up side by side before the installation and the new one looked correct but I did not take measurements. I cannot adjust the support rods any more as I have slightly bent the bracket on the radiator top. That bracket is much thinner metal than on the original radiator. I will have to take the new one off again and accurately measure.

10-06-2020, 06:24 AM	#7
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,508	Re: '34 Radiator Problem There is one small item here that could be wrong, it is possible you have the wrong fan. There is a difference in the fan hub length 33 thru 39. That would be worth checking with another 34. Other than that, return the radiator after calling Brassworks with the correct measurements.

10-07-2020, 09:51 AM	#8
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,062	Re: '34 Radiator Problem Another option is to have a small fan spacer made - say 1/4" thick . . . this would move your fan forward enough to clear the hoses. Would be a simple piece to make our of aluminum. Obviously you'd need a bit longer fan bolts - but an easy potential solution.

10-10-2020, 11:04 AM	#9
pebo va Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 62	Re: '34 Radiator Problem Thanks. That is a possibility. the various fans for a '34 are shown in the EFV-8 club restoration book Time to measure!

10-14-2020, 07:09 AM	#10
hop up Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 411	Re: '34 Radiator Problem Another thing I noticed is fan pullies and generators that have different positioning __________________ Wanted flathead speed equipment Thanks