Hey guys, Looking to by a rad for my 1930 Ford Tudor. It's has a brockville 32 shell and I plan on running a small block Ford with 400hp. I know there's a few company offering rads, and I have read a copy reviews but I would love to get your thoughts and stories (good and bad). Thanks guys
Br***Works ,, Talk to Lee. Expect to pay$800- $1000 I have both a Br***Works and a Walker , Both are good to my opinion ,but I think the Br***Works Radator is better
I have used most of the radiators offered over the last 50 years I have be building hot rods,the worst I have had was a aluminum Griffin radiator but I have had several Walker's,I have 3 cars with Walkers as I type this. HRP
Hrp, what was wrong with your Griffins? I'm running one in my coupe,no problems yet,been 15000 miles.
I have a cheap $200 aluinum rad off Ebay in a 32 shell , run's cool But it cracked at mounting points , So I Tig some extra support,
I'm with 19Eddy30. I am running Br*** works in my '32. I got the full factory tour when I picked up the radiator. Very impressive operation! Had a Griffin AND IT LEAKED 1500 miles after install. I bought it at the beginning of the build and it was out of warranty time wise. I called and explained that it was out of warranty time but really figured that they would do something at least. They hemmed and ha we'd and said it ship it back (on my dime) and they would look hat it. I get a call are days later and the guy on the phone tells me yes it is leaking but the can't identify from where. I told them when I first called that it was leaking from where the header net the core because I could see as I drove. Then I was offered a "special deal" which was $65 more that I paid originally,plus shipping, and no credit for the shipping or purchase of the big paper weight I sent back. I told them to shove it pain fully where the sun doesn't shine. That is when I bought the Br***works. About 11k on it cooling a hemi in from 30 to 110 degrees Temps and it runs right on the Stat at 180. BR***WORKS WORKS!
I don't think there is a better, more efficient radiator on the market than The Br***works. Probably the most expensive, but my last one was still good after 25 years, and I only replaced it because it was looking a little beat. I paid $1000.00 for it, but they were the only company who could build me one that chopped that would work. I am cooling a 331 Ford/424 HP motor with it, and it never gets over 170 even here in Florida. That being said, I am going to have PRC build the one for my rpu because they do a nice job too, and the cost will be about half of the Br***works price. It is also a mild sbc and doesn't need as much cooling. Don
Years ago when Buddy was making radiators for Nascar he was telling me he was thinking about entering the hot rod market and I took them my original 40Ford radiator as a pattern. 2 years of constantly running hot and changing fans and pulleys I pulled the radiator and cut the cooling fins just above the upper & lower tanks,the fins were full of epoxy,there was no way it would ever cool. I took my findings to Buddy and he said sorry but the radiator only had a 2 year warranty. HRP
Any br***/copper radiator. I've had three walkers. You can repair them. Aliminum stress cracks, and as said, everyone I know that tried a griffin had it crack. One rotted out from using water wetter,too caustic. Ate the thing.
My '32 Fords all have Walker radiators. Never had any problem with any of them, but if there ever is a leak my local shop can repair them. My '55 Chevy has an original '55 V8 radiator that I had serviced and still cools great. I will never use an aluminum radiator on any of my builds.
I think that Harrison also makes a Rad for a late model motor in a deuce grill shell. I have run lots of Harrison and Walker's radiators over the years and have had good luck with them.
Light the bbq...... $139 aluminum from an Ebay seller. I reinforced the mounting tabs before installing in a32' Brookville shell. Works like a champ cooling a big block Olds.
I will amend my vote to any br*** and copper radiator. Walker is the best all-around value/quality proposition however.
My only ***** about Walker is that they are not exactly the friendliest place to deal with. I tried to have them build me my first radiator for the 27 and they kinda rudely told me "One that small will never cool your motor....goodbye !" (The Br***works DID build it, and it never got over 170) Then my Son tried to order one for his T bucket from Walker, same story, "won't cool." But he was able to order a Walker in the same dimensions from Total Performance, and when I asked them about it they said "Total Performance wanted it that size, but we don't like it !" Just not the friendliest bunch of guys I have ever dealt with, and I like to spend my money with people who know how to treat a customer and answer a question. Don
Hey Thanks everyone This has been very helpful. I am new to this site and I am amazed by the amount of ultra cool people here. I had a good idea of what I was looking for but I also know most of you guys have been doing this way longer than me. So helpful and some of the best built hot rods and customs I've ever seen. Thanks again everyone. RESPECT.
i had a Br***works radiator in a Model A and it was a nice piece and I didn't have any problems with it so when I decided to buy a Br***works radiator for my recently painted deuce I called to place a order and found out it would be almost 2 months before I could get one. They don't have them in stock and only build it when ordered,I couldn't/wouldn't wait that long. I have used nothing but Walkers since then,I have had 7 walkers with no problems. HRP
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