Register now to get rid of these ads!

1952-59 Ford Engineered Cooling Products Radiator

Discussion in 'Off Topic Hot Rods & Customs' started by customline3859, Jun 27, 2023.

  1. customline3859
    Joined: Oct 20, 2017
    Posts: 116

    customline3859
    Member

    Does anyone have any experience with this company? They have a radiator available for a 55-57 tbird. I spoke to a gentleman on the phone and I believe the dimensions are the same for my customline. I'm looking to be able to idle the vehicle in traffic. I just got back from the power tour and I found that overheating was an issue for many people that did not have a newer drivetrain. I checked the sticky page, but didn't see anything in there about this company. My vehicle still has the yblock. Thanks in advance.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. JeffB2
    Joined: Dec 18, 2006
    Posts: 9,665

    JeffB2
    Member
    from Phoenix,AZ

  3. Dos Cincos
    Joined: May 13, 2011
    Posts: 935

    Dos Cincos
    Member

  4. Adriatic Machine
    Joined: Jan 26, 2008
    Posts: 920

    Adriatic Machine
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Does your car have a fan shroud?
     
  5. brassspike
    Joined: Dec 24, 2007
    Posts: 171

    brassspike
    Member

  6. brassspike
    Joined: Dec 24, 2007
    Posts: 171

    brassspike
    Member

    Saw your car but never could find you and the car! Looking good! I only counted 3 '55 Fords.
     
  7. JeffB2
    Joined: Dec 18, 2006
    Posts: 9,665

    JeffB2
    Member
    from Phoenix,AZ

    Last edited: Jun 27, 2023
  8. okiedokie
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 4,945

    okiedokie
    Member
    from Ok

    Don't buy your fan from Champion, make sure it is a real Spal. I bought his Spal fan and I promise your it was not a Spal, but it was a weak imitation.
     
    bobss396 likes this.
  9. customline3859
    Joined: Oct 20, 2017
    Posts: 116

    customline3859
    Member

    I wish that was mine. I did see that guy and I spoke to him a bit in Rockingham. His had a 460 in it. He said he had a 312, but could never get it to stop leaking.
     
  10. customline3859
    Joined: Oct 20, 2017
    Posts: 116

    customline3859
    Member

    It does. I have a 17in flex fan and I modified a spacer to move the fan closer to the radiator itself.
     
    Adriatic Machine likes this.
  11. customline3859
    Joined: Oct 20, 2017
    Posts: 116

    customline3859
    Member

    I have a post up over there as well. I will look into the pulley option as well. I appreciate the advice
     
  12. brassspike
    Joined: Dec 24, 2007
    Posts: 171

    brassspike
    Member

    That's me! Had a fuel pump problem in Charlotte. In tank fuel pump got hot, fuel got hot, pump quit. I had to stop for fuel every time I got to 3/4 to cool the fuel. Working on that now. Hope you had a good trip!
     
    customline3859 likes this.
  13. customline3859
    Joined: Oct 20, 2017
    Posts: 116

    customline3859
    Member

    Ahh man. I'm sorry to hear that. It was good to meet you though. I hope to see you out there again.
     
  14. bobss396
    Joined: Aug 27, 2008
    Posts: 18,736

    bobss396
    Member

    I got my Champion radiator on eBay, from seller radiators4less. I believe they are a Champion distributor. They were very accommodating with free shipping where Champion wanted $30 to ship.

    I picked up a Spal electric fan on eBay too. A much better deal than what Summit was offering, complete with a full installation kit.
     
    Dos Cincos likes this.
  15. customline3859
    Joined: Oct 20, 2017
    Posts: 116

    customline3859
    Member

    Can anyone speak to the quality of the fan in the link? I'm comparing the champion on ebay to the ecp unit. They seem similar in price and tube size until it comes to the fan setup. The fan setup seems much nicer of the ecp unit. I'm going to check on my pulley size this evening. I'm all for an inexpensive fix, but I'm also looking for a little extra insurance. The HRPT is stressful enough with a car from 2005, let alone one from 1955.
     
  16. customline3859
    Joined: Oct 20, 2017
    Posts: 116

    customline3859
    Member

    Water pump pulley is about 7 inches. I'll order the smaller pulley once I decide on a radiator.
     
  17. customline3859
    Joined: Oct 20, 2017
    Posts: 116

    customline3859
    Member

    Smaller pulley is on! I went with the ECP radiator. It was the nicest looking one that I came across. Turns out the t-bird radiator that they sell isn't quite right to fit my customline. Fans hit the snout of the radiator if mounted in the original spot. Took some modification, but I just got it installed last night. Had to fab up some spacers and bolt the radiator to the back of the core support instead of the front. Had to trim a bit of the gravel pan and some of the radiator mounting bracket as well.
     

    Attached Files:

    JeffB2 and Dos Cincos like this.
  18. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 17,056

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    If it were me after what you installed, I would fab a steel or aluminum plate in front of the new radiator with about a 1” rubber seal that will help the air go thru the radiator when driving. If not you could also fab a metal piece that will seal to the hood. Fords had them stock in some parts of the country. It’s in the photo I’m including. You will need to clear your top tank since you moved the radiator forward. The speeding up of the water pump at idle with the 298-302 Mustang pulley was the most important thing you did for idling. In 90*+ in traffic I no long even think about it even with the AC on. IMG_0212.jpeg
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.