Looking for idea's for radiator clearance in a 34 tudor with a model A X-member. I want to run a hood so the radiator has to be in the correct position. I'm thinking the only way around this is to have the radiator re-cored and shortened. Is there an off the shelf radiator that fits or is having mine modified the only way?
I am not sure what you are asking but the 34 radiator mounts in front of the x member not on top so shortening the radiator would not help. Move the radiator out in front and makes some mounts for your stock radiator to fit the hood.
I have a model a x-member not a 34. I do have it moved forward but the bottom inlet is parallel with the X-member and it still has to come back 2-1/2".
Big Jim: Just went through that with my '34 Cabriolet. This car has been sectioned, so the cowl is lower. I took my radiator to an older shop and had the neck removed and a couple of ninety's soldered on. Raised the neck three inches. I then trimmed out the stock mounting areas so the radiator would "lower" itself the desired amount, which turned out to be 2 1/2". I have a stock hood ,grill and inner fenders. Looks like it is going to be OK. Hollar back if you need help. Tim
Just about any radiator shop should be able to raise the bottom hose connection on your radiator to clear your model A cross member.
Perhaps weld up z stepped in line tube if you have the room. A friend of mine has done this on nearly every car he's built over the years. Works mint
That sounds about right 2-1/2". The bottom hose connection is pointing directly at the X-member. I have a good radiator shop down the road a piece that should be able to hook me up.
I don't have a pic at the moment but it's more or less what you have shown except made from 2 tubes offset welded to a narrow steel box so that would probably also not work
Jim: is there enough room to notch the cross member? I'm going to just for a little additional clearence. Also, I do some 1/8 scale stuff.....mostly '32's. Know of any coupe bodies for monogram chassis? Tim
Tim no plans on cutting the X-member. I'm going to make a cardboard mock up radiator to see just how much I have to shorten it and go from there. As for the model stuff; the only one I know of is Mike at Edeuce. I make a lot of 1/8th scale accessories like guide headlights, a bunch of different tail lights, and some grilles. I also make a stock firewall for the coupe bodies. I make dash's too. Send me a PM with your email and I will send you a list of things I sell. I also know where you can get a hold of a 55 Chevy body in 1/8th scale if your interested.
Leave the mounting feet at the bottom of the radiator in there stock location and then have the bottom tank moved up the required amount.
Wish I could have talked someone into doing that to mine but couldn't. That's why I went the direction I did. It would be a ton easier!!!!
Well because I cut that all out I can put the new mounts just about anywhere (within reason). Thanks for the advise.
Well I got the word on the radiator. Just to shorten it an 1-1/2" was almost $800! So I went and got it. I took it to another place and they said between $900-$1100! Yikes! According to the radiator guy's this is no ordinary radiator. Something having to do with the way its made. They both said it was very heavy duty. Most radiators the fins zigzag on this one they go straight across so the only way to shorten it is to re-core it and they wouldn't be able to get that type of core anyway. So I chose option "B". It took a little finagling, some cutting, grinding, & welding but I got it to fit...LOL Necessity is the mother of invention. Just a couple of brackets in the morning and I will be all set (well; with the radiator anyways). On to the next problem. I really didn't want to but I had no choice here. It's not my best work but it will be under the radiator and no one will see it.
Isn't the 28-29 ford radiator about two inches shorter than the 34. I think they're about the same width. Might work.
After notching the cross member I re-installed the radiator, grille, and the splash aprons only to find that the splash aprons were now about 1-1/2" off the top of the frame... I went over it and over it all I can think of I must have measured wrong. I'm a big enough guy to admit he fucked up. So...today this big white box with a red W on it showed up. Notice the big hole in the damn box? I gotta say I was freaking out a bit (visions of a big hole in my new radiator dancing in my head). But it was all for naught because it was fine. Thing of beauty she it. And yup it's 2" shorter than stock. If nothing fits now I'm gonna think someone is messing with me. It appears Walker makes a 2" shorter version model# C-498-1 CMC CMC? Yup Classic Motor Carriage AKA Street Beast. Only difference is I had them put on all the stock brackets and dummy filler neck. At $840 delivered it better work for me or I'll be pissed. The good news is I sold the other one to defer most of the cost (Thanks to the HAMB classifieds).
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