I'm putting this car back together, but it didn't come with the radiator from when it was done in the 50s. It was originally done using a 47 Plymouth (I think we determined) radiator support and a 34 ford truck grille. I know I can make a modern aftermarket radiator work but is there an oem that people have used . It would be a ford configuration but obviously not a flathead. It doesn't seem like a stock model a rad would cool enough? And if so, can they be pressurized safely? Sorry if some of this is rookie stuff, it's my first build
The Mustang radiator might fit but it’s too new if you’re trying to keep it ‘50s. Finding a radiator that small and with the outlets where you want them is probably not going to happen. I can’t think of a single 1960 and earlier car with a radiator that small. I would look for a ‘29 radiator. Even that might not fit in your shell, you’ll have to measure. They only have one inlet and one outlet. If the outlet is on the wrong side you can always use a piece of stainless or copper tube and two rubber 90s to cross it over. The best alternative is to bite the bullet and have one made.
Bchctybob, I have 28/29 rads and a 30. Any of them could work as the olds has the lower on the same side as the 4cyl. A center upper is fine too. Im just not sure if that rad will cool an olds v8. I guess I'll try one and see what happens.
I would certainly give it a try. As long as it’s in good shape it might be fine. The old Oldsmobile engines weren’t really prone to overheating, especially stock ones, you see quite a few of them in old magazines with no fan. Flush the junk out of the water jackets before you install the engine.
In truth I'd be buying one of the Champion aluminum radiators for a Model A with a small block ford in it, paint the sucker some nasty radiator black and call it good. I just don't see good reasoning in trying to run an 80 or 90 year old radiator unless you have a new core put in it and that would double the cost on that car.
^^this was my original plan. I was worried that it might not look the part but I may stick with it because at least I'll know it'll cool the v8.
Stock 32-b radiator would work well but with your car being channeled the height of the radiator is your biggest concern. Measure the size you need to fit the grill opening and then find a rad that will fit. Olds engines don’t really run “hot” like a Flathead and your only concern would be a small radiator and a mechanical fan in traffic.
My son and I are running a 54 super rocket in a 31 coupe. It was kind of random but we had an aluminum radiator that was built for a 76 Mercedes laying around. It looked similar to a model a rad. It fit inside our 32 grill shell. We’ve been running it for a while and it works fine. Bottom outlet on the wrong side but we just ran it across . We’re running stock fan
I once used one that was not very high or wide, but was 4 core. Was told it was from an early International Scout. Gary
Take a look at Wizard cooling website. They have some really nice drawings of the radiators they offer. If you go to the Olds section there are a couple that might fit. I've used several of their radiators and highly recommend them.
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