So does anyone know of any options for a replacement radiator for a 54 ford? doesnt matter if its an original replacement or an aluminum one. i have done a little research and they are really expensive for a oe replacement style. or does anyone know of a company that would make a universal fit alum radiator that isnt over a few hundered dollars?? i have my original one and seems to be in good shape, but i want the lower hose outlet switched. the only problem is i cant seem to find a radiator shop local in the Twin Cities MN area. Jason
A word of un-asked-for advice: don't scrimp on the cooling system. If you do, you will kick yourself in the *** a million times...then you'll re-do it, correctly. Been there, done that. Didn't like it one damn bit.
OLM, what did you do to install the Dodge radiator? Was there alot of fabbing? And can you run A/C with it? The radiator for my '62 F-100 was a custom made aluminum with an a/c condenser and 2 electric fans and was over $1200.00. I really don't want to spend that much again.
I used an early 65/66 Mustang 289 radiator in my 55 Fairlane and fits very nicely . Cools just fine without any problems . they also are fairly cheap compared to the other people have been using . they do come in a few different sizes so make sure you measure the opening in your car . Also use a fan shroud of some sort . Can use the ones that are chrome that are U shaped or a stock one . Just remember to use one ! I also use a separate transmission cooler . I never use the ones that come in the radiator because they are hot as the radiator already so why heat the trans fluid up any hotter than necessary ! I have mine mounted in front of the radiator BUT not attached to the radiator ! Just my 2 cents . Jim
it was in there when i got it . yes you could run a ac condensor in front of it . right now its kinda a butcher job but it wouldnt be hard to put one in right , as long as you dont mind cutting the suport some. im actualy going to buy a new same radiator and do it right and add a ac condensor.
I just finished a five month process of radiator searching and finally install. There is a place called U.S. Radiator in Vernon, CA that can get you a replica '54 radiator that works great. You are right about the price being a bit on the hefty side. I got a four core and it works great. The only problems I ran into were caused because I have a 351W engine. I looked high and low for an aluminum radiator but the only one I could find was a Griffin. Griffin radiators I'm sure are okay but they use an epoxy to mount the tubes and I've talked to more then ten people that say those radiators fall apart while driving.
The radiator you have may be better than any new aluminum radiator. Look in the yellow pages for a radiator shop and have it recored. It will last the rest of your life. Is Whitte still in business? They did good work 20 years ago.
had good luck with walker radiator in my 35 chebby master. pricey? yeah, but i could idle in bumper to bumper traffic all day and not sweat the temp gauge. had ac condensor and trans cooler in one unit. like missysdad said.. do it right the first time.
well i am going to ask around here to see if there are any radiator repair shops and see what they will charge for what i need. thanks for all the info though, very valuable information
check speedway. they sell several diffrent sizes and neck arangements of universal aluminum rads at a real good price.
When I needed a radiator for my fords I went to the local radiator shop. They have a book ( Harrison radiator) with different size radiators cores. They built one for me a three row for around 219.00 . Both 54 & 55 have a/c with a fan shroud keeping the car running cool. In my 54 coupe with Chevy running gear I used a 56 Chevy four row radiator, just changed the side brackets to ford. Just my 0.02 cents
I have had a Griffin rad in my car for about 12 years and it has worked fine. It is a universal 19x26 IIRC and handles the hot days here in the south. However, and update to a cross flow rad does not fit the stock hole well so it will require modifications. If you want to stay with the stock look I would just hit the radiator shop like others have suggested. Here is the griffin unit I put in when I did the motor swap.
heres the speedways i was talking about . killer deal http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Ford-Mopar-Universal-Radiators,7347.html
I went to my local auto parts store and bought a universal B-Cool or Bee-Cool (one or the other). It was something like $160 - $180. I had two pieces of aluminum I bent into a 90 tig welded down the side. My car runs between 160 and 180 in the worst traffic on the hottest day with a 6 cylinder running 10.5:1 compression and no fan shroud. I'd say its doing its job.
The early Mustang radiator is almost bolt in a '54-56 Ford if you use the early short pump this is a good supplier and was one of my customers before I retired,all welded no epoxy,if you are using the long pump on your 302 & 5.0 contact them for the radiator with a drivers side lower outlet.Heres the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
The Jalopy Journal
