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.