The Ford Barn

chrs1961815 · 09-17-2018, 07:49 AM

So not too long ago I posted about repro radiator quail caps not fitting. Well I found out my radiator is a repro as well, which explains the lack of fit. So I was wondering if anybody on the forum has ever found an original radiator and restored it and put it on their a? Is this feasible?

John · 09-17-2018, 08:19 AM

Yes, many have had an original recored. I did and the elderly craftsman did an excellent job.

37 Coupe · 09-17-2018, 08:42 AM

I had Powell radiator in Ohio restore a 1939-1940 Ford radiator years ago and they are very good,not just repair but restoring a radiator.They advertise in Old Cars and I think Hemmings.The problem is they are very expensive so on a Model A I wonder if it is worth it over the price of a reproduction one.

Gary Karr · 09-17-2018, 11:18 AM

I have original round tube radiators on two of my three Model A's. I had to sleeve eleven tubes on one of them so they do have their issues. I sure like the look of them and if you are entering your car into fine point judging, an original radiator is a must.

Jeff/Illinois · 09-17-2018, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrs1961815

So not too long ago I posted about repro radiator quail caps not fitting. Well I found out my radiator is a repro as well, which explains the lack of fit. So I was wondering if anybody on the forum has ever found an original radiator and restored it and put it on their a? Is this feasible?

Check this out for excellent radiator work and he's only downstate. One of the very best.

http://www.bergsradiator.com/

Synchro909 · 09-17-2018, 05:41 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have what I think is an original radiator but I've never used it. It has a honeycomb core. I must have a closer look at it one day and see it is clogged. Did Ford use Honeycomb cores??

Wagga A'er · 09-17-2018, 09:35 PM

Hi Synchro
My early 28 had one as well. It was a 3rd party one as it had a brass name plate soldered to it.

Synchro909 · 09-17-2018, 11:19 PM

Starting to look like a local thing!

dean from bozeman · 09-18-2018, 06:59 AM

Jeff/Illinois, I totally agree. Started with the dad and now his son also does excellent work. Have one in one of my A's.

chrs1961815, he's in your state. Definitely worth looking in to.

Mike V. Florida · 09-18-2018, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro909

I have what I think is an original radiator but I've never used it. It has a honeycomb core. I must have a closer look at it one day and see it is clogged. Did Ford use Honeycomb cores??

I'm unaware of Honeycomb radiators coming from Ford.

Jeff/Illinois · 09-18-2018, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

I'm unaware of Honeycomb radiators coming from Ford.

Me too they look like a GM type radiator. As long as they work I guess what the heck.

A friend has a '29 Pontiac Tudor that has a honeycomb type radiator. That's what I think of when I see them.

chrs1961815 · 09-18-2018, 11:24 AM

Thanks for all of the advice. It is something down the road because my repro works fine, but there is nothing like oem.

28Ca8149 · 09-19-2018, 12:41 AM

My AR 28 has a honey comb rad from new .I know of one other one I think Ford used them when he couldn’t get enough from his regular supplyer.

09-17-2018, 07:49 AM	#1
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Original Model A Radiators So not too long ago I posted about repro radiator quail caps not fitting. Well I found out my radiator is a repro as well, which explains the lack of fit. So I was wondering if anybody on the forum has ever found an original radiator and restored it and put it on their a? Is this feasible?

09-17-2018, 08:19 AM	#2
John Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 189	Re: Original Model A Radiators Yes, many have had an original recored. I did and the elderly craftsman did an excellent job.

09-17-2018, 08:42 AM	#3
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,835	Re: Original Model A Radiators I had Powell radiator in Ohio restore a 1939-1940 Ford radiator years ago and they are very good,not just repair but restoring a radiator.They advertise in Old Cars and I think Hemmings.The problem is they are very expensive so on a Model A I wonder if it is worth it over the price of a reproduction one. __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II

09-17-2018, 11:18 AM	#4
Gary Karr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,484	Re: Original Model A Radiators I have original round tube radiators on two of my three Model A's. I had to sleeve eleven tubes on one of them so they do have their issues. I sure like the look of them and if you are entering your car into fine point judging, an original radiator is a must.

09-17-2018, 05:41 PM	#6
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Original Model A Radiators Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have what I think is an original radiator but I've never used it. It has a honeycomb core. I must have a closer look at it one day and see it is clogged. Did Ford use Honeycomb cores?? __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

09-17-2018, 09:35 PM	#7
Wagga A'er Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wagga Wagga - Australia Posts: 78	Re: Original Model A Radiators Hi Synchro My early 28 had one as well. It was a 3rd party one as it had a brass name plate soldered to it.

09-17-2018, 11:19 PM	#8
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Original Model A Radiators Starting to look like a local thing! __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

09-18-2018, 06:59 AM	#9
dean from bozeman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 997	Re: Original Model A Radiators Jeff/Illinois, I totally agree. Started with the dad and now his son also does excellent work. Have one in one of my A's. chrs1961815, he's in your state. Definitely worth looking in to.

09-18-2018, 11:24 AM	#12
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Original Model A Radiators Thanks for all of the advice. It is something down the road because my repro works fine, but there is nothing like oem.

09-19-2018, 12:41 AM	#13
28Ca8149 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Alberta CA Posts: 109	Re: Original Model A Radiators My AR 28 has a honey comb rad from new .I know of one other one I think Ford used them when he couldn’t get enough from his regular supplyer.