I built this channeled hot rod truck over ten years ago from a falling apart '29 Plymouth sedan. I sold it to a guy who never did one thing with it. Supposedly someone stole the Whippet grill shell and hood while he had it. I bought it back a few months ago and have found another hood and grill but I dont like the funky radiator I had in it. So am looking for a reliable vendor for a new aluminum chopped radiator. Everything I see on the net is chopped 3" and that will not be short enough as my truck is channeled 5". Anyone had any similar issues and can offer some help?
Suggest making a template of the size you need to start with and look for an oem replacement in the Chester's book how to build a t bucket/ hot rod for under $300 there is a section that gives different radiator sizes /dimensions.
I'd go along with finding an oem replacement radiator that will fit behind the grill unless you are up to shelling out the coin for a custom radiator. I did see an "we will build it to your measurements with no plastic anywhere" radiator outfit advertising on the net when I was hunting for one for the 48 one night but don't remember more than that.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/project-29-phaeton.772795/page-10#post-11110198 E-Bay find It's 22.5 inches top to bottom. (half inch too tall for me bu it's the lowest non custom made radiator i've found) And i just didn't have $700-$1000 to spend on one.... Haven't run'ed it yet..but quality looks really good!
Check with RCP they will build you any size you want and they are all welded alum construction and cheap.
Find a radiator that is the right height and then cut it to your required width. You can narrow it with a wood cutting ban saw and then block of the tank and add a cover for the core on the side you cut. You will need to be able to TIG weld or have some one that can but it really turns out pretty simple. I built the radiator for my modified from a core that I bought but making one from an existing radiator is much easier. Rex
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