1941 Radiator

[tmiller6]

It appears my '41 Sedan came to me with the wrong radiator. The cap is on the side and the overflow tube is in the middle of the tank.

Other than the placement of the cap, are there other differences between the 40 & 41 radiators in terms of size or cooling capacity? The previous owner fitted a sheet metal shroud to deflect the air flow through the fan and noted his concern about overheating.

While I've yet to overheat the car, I'm wondering if his issues stemmed from the fitment of the shroud or a incorrect radiator. The fins appear to be mechanically intact with no green corrosion going on but I've yet to see if there is evidence of tubes being clogged.

If I do need a '41 radiator, is Brassworks the only place to go for a '41 split core radiator or are there other suppliers?

[tmiller6]

Am I the only one who owns a '41?

[oldskool]

sounds like you have a 40 radiator,the capacity and size would be the same as a 41 ,a shroud is a good thing ,hold a piece of paper in front of rad if it sucks it in your good to go

[ford41]

No, it sounds like what you have is the early style 1941 split core. It looks like a large version of the 1940. It is correct.

[Joe Immler]

My '41 has them radiator cap in the center. Spit core. So.....is it the wrong style?

[ford41]

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The 1941 Ford used two styles of radiators that year. An early production version with the filler on the side and the later more common center fill style. Both versions were split core designs and both are correct for the production year depending on build date. I would say anything produced after January 1941 would have come with the center fill style radiator but as with many changes on the 41 it's hard to pin down an exact date.

[Joe Immler]

Thanks ford41. That explains things. For some reason I don't recall seeing any '41's with an offset fill.

[tmiller6]

Thanks to all who answered and reassured me. I'll try to post a photo next time I am at my garage.

[jjarvi]

I have a 41 radiator. Private message me.

[fordor41]

My '41 had a center cap, split core, tank front corners were angled off at a 45 deg. angle, sort of to match the inner angle of the fenders. My car is a very late '41.

[gajeepguy]

My 1941 (early) has a center cap, split core, and center drain angled to the front...-RG

[tony starr]

Hi tmiller6, did you end up getting a photo of your radiator?

I also have a radiator related question - mine seems to be on a slight angle, looking side-on compared to the engine (top tank is sitting towards to engine more than the bottom tank). I'm also wondering if my radiator is correct for 1941. It isn't a split core, so the core isn't the original.

Thanks,
-tony.

[41 Ford Pickup]

I have a 1941 V8 pickup with a center cap and no reservoir. I had a minor overheating issue today. What pound pressure cap should I be using?