I need to purchase a radiator for a '31 Model A. Cadillac flathead (same basic inlet and outlet locations as SBC/BBC/whatever. The three I mentioned above have great reviews, and I know their products are solid. Their pricing is within about 20% each other. I know you get what you pay for, but...... ......do you know of any GOOD alternatives, preferably built in the US. I know there are a lot of aluminum radiators out there for less than a third of the price of the three I mentioned, so am looking for good/bad experiences and recommendations. I need one that has the bracket for the radiator support rods. I'd paint and disguise it as best I could because I know a raw aluminum radiator looks out of place on a traditional hot rod. Thanks!
Anybody? I'll spend $1K+ if I need to , but if there are other le$$ $pendy alternative$ that aren't total garbage I'd like to hear about them.
I was recently recommended U.S. Radiator, which I had never used before. I must say, it has done great so far. Keeps the Hemi in my Coupe cool with ease, even in stopped traffic and high temperatures. Quality seemed pretty good at a glance and so far so good. They were cheaper than all of the names you mentioned in your post. Ford 1928-1953 Car 1932 Radiators | US Radiator ironandsteele.com
I have a Br***works in my Flathead powered Model A and it's good quality. Br***works fits good cools great but expensive, I have a Walker in a stock Model A and it's over 20 years old and has never had a problem. Since the Walker is as old as it is and the company has changed hands I can't say their products are the same as they were.
I have copper/br*** radiators in my '32 and '40 made by Custom Auto Radiator and would highly recommend them.
I've had Br***works in two Model A's. The one in my current RPU Is 15 years old. Not one single problem. Great products, and great people to deal with. I won't go into the problems I had with a Walker.
I’ve got 2 Brice Thomas/US radiators. Stamped aluminum. Doing a great job look as good as aluminum can get. Here is one The Johnson’s ones look great. They’ve just come out and Alan is using them in his builds and daily drivers. it’s all up to you.
I ought my Br***works radiator 18 years ago and it is still performing great. Since I live not too far from where they are, I drove over there and picked it up. I was given the grand tour of their facility and was extremely impressed with the ability that they have to build just about any radiator ever used! Even Mercedes V core octagonal radiators. I would recommend them to anyone. The price is not cheap by any means, but then neither is the quality. The hemi in my roadster runs 180° all the time, the exception was when I drove it home from the LA Roadsters meet several years ago and the ambient temperature was 108° and we climbed the Cajon p***. It got to 190°, but cooled back down to 180 once we reached the top. Excellent product bar none!
^^^^yep^^^^ I’m about 1.5 hours from both Brice Thomas and Johnson’s. kinda lowers the selection process when ya can talk to em in person.
Sold dozens of Walker's now Johnson with no negative feedback Have also used several Br***works German Silver Radiators for High End cars, and a few of ther black br***/copper units. I currently have a Br***works for a new Flathead deuce roadster I'm building purchased during the Walker/Johnson drought..
I have a walker radiator in my 33. It was damaged in aaccident. I have called numerous times to the new owners Johnson's Hot Rod shop and left messages with office for soneone to please return my call but no response. If this how they treat their customers , i will take my business elcewhere. I have 3ea other vehicles with their radiators and 2ea more builds in the works using the old companies products. I do not understand this.
I bought a Walker 32 radiator to flathead ford cut down 2'' to fit my 31 A.They had that one in stock and great quality.I ordered it at a NSRA event so i got a show price and free shipping 840 bucks but that was right before they sold to Johnsons.
I have a Walker radiator in my '32 sedan, It has been in the car almost 30 years with no problems, I also purchased a Walker for the Ranch Wagon, it has been in service for 11 years, I will continue using copper/br*** radiators in the future. I tried the Griffin aluminum radiator in my 39 Ford convertible and I fought overheating problems from day one, I tried everything and nothing helped, I went back to Buddy Griffin and he suggested I remove the radiator and bring it back, one of his employees put the radiator on a band saw and cut the tanks from the core, he said more than half the tubes were clogges with the epoxy they bonded the tanks to the tubes, thay made me a new radiator and it seemed to cool much better, I sold the car withing a couple of months. I just don't have any confidence with aluminum radiators. BTW, I won a US Radiator at Goodguys in Charlotte and installed it in a 29 Ford roadster, it worked like a champ. HRP
Dons Radiator in Lethbridge Alberta Canada. The guy custom builds the best radiators going. All thick br*** and he has a p***ion for old fords (also our Stromberg dealer). I was in his shop a few weeks ago gave me the “Back Room” tour to show me a few 32’s he has and a pile of flatheads. I run one of his in my 28 AV8 and that flathead has never been above 180F. Plus you US guys get a %30 discount buying in our Canadian Fun money
I emailed US Radiator/Brice Thomas a question about the radiator I am leaning towards for my A project at nearly 6PM their local time tonight (Friday). Within 3 minutes I had received an email back with my question answered. I'm definitely going to give them a shot.
I have a Walker in my 31’with a sbc with a/c. No problems at all with over heating. Build quality is nice. I wouldn’t hesitate to get one from Johnson’s.
I ordered my US Radiator/Brice Thomas/CG&J aluminum radiator yesterday through US Radiator for my 28 A. I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks when I receive it. Need the radiator to get the engine placement right!
I’ve had walkers with hardly any problems. Ordered a br***works for my pops and I’s 27 flathead roadster. I haven’t got it running yet but the radiator is a work of art.
The Jalopy Journal
