Hey there fellers , I have a 34 5 window ford that was channeled a long time ago. I got the car in 800 pieces, and didn’t have a radiator . Since the car is channeled I’m not sure how to go about 1. Finding a radiator that’ll fit the car, ( I put a Flathead in it- 8 ba ) 2. how tall it needs to be. I have no idea what rads will work and what won’t , when I look online they all are for SB/BB chevys any insight on what I might be able to use/ do is greatly appreciated - Jon
Sorry can’t help. But I do know your grille is tilted too far backwards. I’d first suggest you provide close up photos of the front end of the frame and suspension. I’m sure someone who has worked on these years can help.
I'd suggest that you mount the grille in the exact relationship to the body it originally had (so a stock hood top would fit perfectly). Then check the available space and find or have made a radiator to fit. It looks like the firewall was modded to clear a bigger engine at some point; you might consider moving your FH back a little to gain some room up front.
Post more pictures that include the relationship to the engine from varying vantage points. That will help us help you. I understand your design idea for laying the grille back.... don't be swayed to abandon that 'til we can see what all is going on.
You probably couldn’t have picked a worse combo to fit together in a tight space. The 8BA is longer than an earlier flathead, the channel causes fan height issues, and the slant of the stock radiator also causes problems. I’d probably find the amount of the channel, call Brassworks and order a 34 radiator that is that much shorter, has proper diameter outlets for the 8BA, and mount it up. Then be prepared to move the engine around if you need fan clearance.
Put a deuce grill on it. In front of the crossmember. Traditional way to go with a channelled Model 40. Lower hoses take a little creativity Sectioned '33-'34 grilles look bad and a full height shell leaned back is even worse. A look thru some old Hot Rod magazines should give you some ideas. A sectioned and marrowed '37 truck grill looks good too.
I helped a man on here with his channeled 34 pickup with an 8BA. He used one of my 409 to Flathead water pump kits which lowered the fan and put it in a good spot in relation to the radiator, then he made a wooden mock up of the needed radiator and he sent the wooden pattern to Brassworks and they made a radiator that was a perfect fit. He was able to run a manual fan and had no hose problems. I have a good friend that built a channeled 34 with a properly proportioned chopped 34 shell almost 50 years ago. His current radiator came from the long gone Welbaum Radiators. He's still driving it.
Working in the rad shop, I was amazed at the creativity of guys who made mock up radiators. Wood, Styrofoam, cardboard, wood dowels, etc. Great way to show exactly what you need.
Yeah , def a great idea. I might try the foam/ wood. Going to have to get creative By necessity ! Thanks ! - Jon
exactly. Stand the grill shell up first and go from there. A little tip the grill shell will be close to the angle of the A pillars. Stand it up, take a piece of string and pull it alone the body reveal and that will help you with grill shell height. Now once you are there you can figure out how tall your radiator needs to be. if you are channeled you are probably not going to use a stock height radiator but you can get a stock V8 radiator and get it shortened at the local radiator shop.
It looks like the body has been channeled but the front hasn't been, you could get away with a non chopped radiator or one that is a few inches shorter. HRP
If possible could you take a pics of the radiator to water pump relationship. I am in the middle of a similar problem with sectioning a '33 chevy grill shell on my channelled coupe. For me a slightly shorter rad should do the trick thanks to all on the HAMB for the Brassworks info.
The Jalopy Journal
