The Ford Barn

31 coupe · 01-09-2022, 04:02 AM

Hello folks,
I'm part the way through a '46 Ford Tudor build down here in Australia.
The car is now fitted with a GM drive train, this conversion also required a different radiator and mountings to suit.
My question is about the OEM design ..... the original radiator support attaches to the front cross member by a central spring loaded bolt which allows the radiator and front panels to move/rock about independently to the chassis ..... I guess this design also provides front panel tuning opportunities via shimming.
As I'm committed to fabricating a new cross member and radiator support to suit my new components I'm looking for any advise or technical reasons for the OEM concept and how critical that design may be ..... I can easily replicate the central support concept if it's critical.
Thanks in advance for your valuable advise.

Als48 · 01-11-2022, 11:48 AM

Hi 31,

My '48 Ford has GM drivetrain as well. I mounted my aluminum radiator without the U-shaped frame and spring arrangement. I fabricated an angle-iron frame to attach to the side brackets. It is fairly rigid and has caused no problems.

Al Hook

waterboychuck · 01-12-2022, 06:13 PM

My 46 also has a GM running gear. I purchased a Champion radiator that was made for a 46 but with GM hose locations. The radiator just bolted into place without any problems using the original mounting locations.

31 coupe · 01-12-2022, 08:00 PM

Thanks for your reply Al,
How or where did you mount the angle iron frame to the chassis?
I'm assuming that it was still supported by the OEM bolt in cross member.

Newc · 01-12-2022, 08:29 PM

Just a note ; I had my original '48 radiator recored and it came back 3/16" tooo wide at the top! What a pain, the side irons were on wrong on the tank at the top. . Newc

31 coupe · 01-13-2022, 01:45 AM

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Thank you WB Chuck for your response.
I'm investigating Champion radiators now. Which core style/size did you go with .... I've got a basic 300 - 350HP SBC crate motor with a TH350 transmission. I'm hoping to use a 17", 6 blade Mustang HD type fan blade providing there is enough space, I already have a shorter style 327" water pump.
As mentioned earlier I'm prepared to fabricate a custom cradle and cross member to accommodate this radiator and fan blade space if necessary. I also have an AC condenser and transmission cooler to support there as well.
Looking forward to your reply.

31 coupe · 01-13-2022, 01:54 AM

Hi Dale,
My original radiator is already setup for the SBC but its looking a little tired so I thought that this was a good time to upgrade, especially now with the AC onboard.
I'm not a real fan of Aluminum radiators but I guess it's the most economic way compared to a custom Copper/Brass unit.
Thanks.

waterboychuck · 01-13-2022, 01:11 PM

I have the same engine and trans that you have. I used an electric fan that pushes so it's mounted on the front of the radiator. Here's a link to the Champion site. https://www.championradiators.com/3-...r-CH-1942-1948

waterboychuck · 01-13-2022, 03:18 PM

Here's a couple shots of the radiator in the car. I hope it helps.

31 coupe · 01-13-2022, 05:17 PM

Thanks for that info WBC, the Champion 3 row is what I was looking at.
As I now have AC and need to mount a condenser out front I'm trying to use a 6 blade mechanical fan with a shroud instead of an electric pusher fan. I'll just have to re-position the radiator assembly forwards some to accommodate that ..... which is how this thread originally started.
I'll follow the OEM mounting concept and use the central support principal.

Thanks for everyone's contributions.

01-09-2022, 04:02 AM	#1
31 coupe Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 43	1942-48 Ford Radiator Support Info? Hello folks, I'm part the way through a '46 Ford Tudor build down here in Australia. The car is now fitted with a GM drive train, this conversion also required a different radiator and mountings to suit. My question is about the OEM design ..... the original radiator support attaches to the front cross member by a central spring loaded bolt which allows the radiator and front panels to move/rock about independently to the chassis ..... I guess this design also provides front panel tuning opportunities via shimming. As I'm committed to fabricating a new cross member and radiator support to suit my new components I'm looking for any advise or technical reasons for the OEM concept and how critical that design may be ..... I can easily replicate the central support concept if it's critical. Thanks in advance for your valuable advise. Last edited by 31 coupe; 01-10-2022 at 12:54 AM.

01-11-2022, 11:48 AM	#2
Als48 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Paducah Ky Posts: 279	Re: 1942-48 Ford Radiator Support Info? Hi 31, My '48 Ford has GM drivetrain as well. I mounted my aluminum radiator without the U-shaped frame and spring arrangement. I fabricated an angle-iron frame to attach to the side brackets. It is fairly rigid and has caused no problems. Al Hook

01-12-2022, 06:13 PM	#3
waterboychuck Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Nine Mile Falls,WA Posts: 900	Re: 1942-48 Ford Radiator Support Info? My 46 also has a GM running gear. I purchased a Champion radiator that was made for a 46 but with GM hose locations. The radiator just bolted into place without any problems using the original mounting locations. __________________ The sign of a good craftsman is how well they cover up their mistakes.

01-12-2022, 08:00 PM	#4
31 coupe Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 43	Re: 1942-48 Ford Radiator Support Info? Thanks for your reply Al, How or where did you mount the angle iron frame to the chassis? I'm assuming that it was still supported by the OEM bolt in cross member.

01-12-2022, 08:29 PM	#5
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,484	Re: 1942-48 Ford Radiator Support Info? Just a note ; I had my original '48 radiator recored and it came back 3/16" tooo wide at the top! What a pain, the side irons were on wrong on the tank at the top. . Newc

01-13-2022, 01:45 AM	#6
31 coupe Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 43	Re: 1942-48 Ford Radiator Support Info? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thank you WB Chuck for your response. I'm investigating Champion radiators now. Which core style/size did you go with .... I've got a basic 300 - 350HP SBC crate motor with a TH350 transmission. I'm hoping to use a 17", 6 blade Mustang HD type fan blade providing there is enough space, I already have a shorter style 327" water pump. As mentioned earlier I'm prepared to fabricate a custom cradle and cross member to accommodate this radiator and fan blade space if necessary. I also have an AC condenser and transmission cooler to support there as well. Looking forward to your reply. Last edited by 31 coupe; 01-13-2022 at 01:56 AM.

01-13-2022, 01:54 AM	#7
31 coupe Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 43	Re: 1942-48 Ford Radiator Support Info? Hi Dale, My original radiator is already setup for the SBC but its looking a little tired so I thought that this was a good time to upgrade, especially now with the AC onboard. I'm not a real fan of Aluminum radiators but I guess it's the most economic way compared to a custom Copper/Brass unit. Thanks.

01-13-2022, 01:11 PM	#8
waterboychuck Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Nine Mile Falls,WA Posts: 900	Re: 1942-48 Ford Radiator Support Info? I have the same engine and trans that you have. I used an electric fan that pushes so it's mounted on the front of the radiator. Here's a link to the Champion site. https://www.championradiators.com/3-...r-CH-1942-1948 __________________ The sign of a good craftsman is how well they cover up their mistakes.

01-13-2022, 05:17 PM	#10
31 coupe Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 43	Re: 1942-48 Ford Radiator Support Info? Thanks for that info WBC, the Champion 3 row is what I was looking at. As I now have AC and need to mount a condenser out front I'm trying to use a 6 blade mechanical fan with a shroud instead of an electric pusher fan. I'll just have to re-position the radiator assembly forwards some to accommodate that ..... which is how this thread originally started. I'll follow the OEM mounting concept and use the central support principal. Thanks for everyone's contributions.