New Radiator

[GAR64]

Seems I need a new radiator for my 31. Was thinking of bringing it to a shop to have it properly "cleaned" but am being told I may only save a couple hundred bucks in doing so. I will have to search the threads here as I know there is probably much info. Where is the best place to get a radiator? What should I be shopping for to make sure a get a good quality radiator??
Thanks. greg

[Gunmetal blue2]

First your going to have to figure out which type of radiator you want. There are some different types of them. Some have radiators like the orginal ones or more or less fins. I have not bought one so I will leave that up to the ones that know.

[RawhideKid]

Brassworks has about the best radiators around, but if a couple hundred dollars for a rod out scares you, you won't like the price of a new one.

[1931 flamingo]

Do a "search". Many like the ones Berg's does.
Paul in CT

[29spcoupe]

I have a Brassworks on my 29 an am very pleased with it.

[GAR64]

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Not looking to break the bank on an $800 unit. Brattons has a Brassworks HD 10fins/inch for $595. Seems pretty reasonable.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by GAR64

Seems I need a new radiator for my 31. Was thinking of bringing it to a shop to have it properly "cleaned" but am being told I may only save a couple hundred bucks in doing so.

That's a bad thing?

[GAR64]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

That's a bad thing?

My point was that I don't want to pay $400 to have it cleaned if I can get a new one for $600. Am I crazy?

[Brian in Wheeling]

Bergs. You won't be dissapointed. Talk with Geary personally...he's a nice guy and great business person.
Brian W.

[duke36]

side note: the Brassworks radiators fit the shells like gloves, especially around the upper tank and neck.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by GAR64

My point was that I don't want to pay $400 to have it cleaned if I can get a new one for $600. Am I crazy?

I'd at least get a quote from a reputable shop to rebuild your original. Mine was $150. (tanks removed, core rodded out, a couple of leaks repaired). It could be yours is too far gone to save at a decent price. In that case, a new one would be the way to go.

[Brian SATX]

I got mine repaired- rodded and two pinholes fixed for $65.00. This is a place that does a lot of Model A radiators and our club has been using for over 20 years because they do quality work.

[RawhideKid]

WoW Brian, I wish I was in Texas, the guy here wants $235. to do a full rod and clean.

[Marshall V. Daut]

Rodding and cleaning an almost 90 year-old Model A radiator may sound well and good, but how are you going to reattach the inevitably separated fins from the tubes? This is an overlooked area in cooling that is critical to dissipating heat from the coolant through the radiator. Those fins aren't there for looks! Once the fins have separated from the tubes, I doubt that they can ever be efficiently reattached.
In the OP's case, it would be more prudent to simply belly up to the bar and purchase a quality THREE row radiator from a reputable vendor, such as Brassworks or Bergs's, who supply the large vendors. Stay away from the cheaper, thinner two-row radiators, whose lower price seems attractive, but won't cool worth a tinker's dam anywhere except in northern Minnesota during an arctic ice storm in January. This is one area where ya' gotta' pay the full admission price in order to enjoy the show. With the possible exception of a cheap battery, there are very few areas in a Model A that will cause more misery than a poorly functioning radiator. 'Been there, 'done that. Don't waste money on quick fix cleaning and "flow testing". Our radiators are usually too old and worn out to ever approach the original cooling design efficiency. Install a quality radiator and that'll be one less constant irritant in your Model A enjoyment.
Marshall

[Synchro909]

Listen to what Marshall says! I say go with the best you can get. You can't have too much cooling. If the temp gauge is sitting a bit low, a thermostat will fix it and you'll have some cooling up your sleeve.
A while ago, I fitted a new 3 row Brassworks thinking it would be the end of my cooling problems. Turns out it was no better than the one that was there. I know I was asking a lot but it would overheat running at 50 mph in temperatures in the low-mid 30's (C) and towing a camper. When it happens, I take the car out of O/D and drop the speed to 40-45 mph. The lower throttle setting and faster fan can JUST keep it under control. I'm thinking oil cooler or maybe an auxiliary radiator. Without the trailer, things are OK but we do lots of outback touring.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by GAR64

Seems I need a new radiator for my 31. Was thinking of bringing it to a shop to have it properly "cleaned" but am being told I may only save a couple hundred bucks in doing so. I will have to search the threads here as I know there is probably much info. Where is the best place to get a radiator? What should I be shopping for to make sure a get a good quality radiator??
Thanks. greg

Wow!! A new radiator is about 600.00, how much do they want to clean it?

[updraught]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

I know I was asking a lot but it would overheat running at 50 mph in temperatures in the low-mid 30's (C) and towing a camper.

I'd flick the thermostat and add an electric fan and see what happens when it is turned on.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by updraught

I'd flick the thermostat and add an electric fan and see what happens when it is turned on.

I've wondered about using a number of smaller fans arranged so they cover more of the area of the radiator than the single one which only draws air through a circle in the middle. Or maybe a shroud would help?

[Chris Haynes]

I just had my radiator rebuilt and installed a new core. I had it pressurized as well. Out the door cost of $450.00. Several hundred dollars less than a new one.

[denniskliesen]

I'm with Chris on this. I had mine rebuilt with a new core. Here again several hundred less than a new one. The rebuilt now has a baffle and the clips where they are supposed to be on the bottom. It is now a 3 row 10 fin radiator. I recently went on a tour up steep tight curve mountain roads and never overheated once.

[updraught]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

I've wondered about using a number of smaller fans arranged so they cover more of the area of the radiator than the single one which only draws air through a circle in the middle. Or maybe a shroud would help?

Sounds like a shroud would help
http://www.freeasestudyguides.com/ac...-air-flow.html
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-to...omponent/28863
Maybe place an electric fan on the outside for testing.

The best part of buying a new radiator is that it should come packaged in a nice box for sending (if there are no "trustworthy" radiator shops nearby).

[31a]

I have used Brassworks for several years with no problems

[msmaron]

Breastworks will do a complete restoration on a FORD Radiator....Contact Lee and ask about it....

[denniskliesen]

Originally Posted by msmaron

Breastworks will do a complete restoration on a FORD Radiator....Contact Lee and ask about it....

Breastworks ?!?!?!