Model A grille with a Mustang Radiator

Any of you guys ever use a mid 60s Mustang radiator in a 28-9 A bone grille??

any problems, or tips which would help the eaze of installation?

Thanks Fellas!!!

 

Check the tech archives, I think there's a really good write up in there

 

Try here.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92923&&showall=1

 

I was hoping to find a radiator I could purchase at a parts house that would fit better than the Mustang... if all else fails I'll put a mesh grille in front of it. But I'd rather have something stock looking without the $$$ pricetag of a custom one.

Does some have a 71 Dart radiator pics in a model a grille??

 

Man that grill mesh looks just like a barbeque grill grate. I might have to try that!!

 

yeah I thought it was outta fridge??

 

After I built that insert I thought the same thing but it didn't take long to build and it's stainless so if I want I can polish it.

 

surely someone else has done this!!

 

Chad,

Been looking at radiators quite a bit lately myself. I have a catalog from one of our vendors at work, that does automotive rads, and if you could give me some dimensions and info what size would fit, i can fax or mail you some lit that would point you in the right direction. I priced a 18tall x 24wide rad to fit mine, and it looks like it would run between 130 and 160.

Lemme know

 

get one from a 50 chevy truck. they are almost perfect.

 

Here's mine...It's the best pic that I have.
I just trimmed an inch or two on the bottoms of each side, and dropped the shell all the way down to the top of the radiator. I also cut the side braces of the radiator, and flattened them down, then tacked them back together.

 

What are you going to use to fill in the space around it??

 

It doesn't look too bad from the front, but some preforated (expanded) metal from Lowes or Home Depot would do the trick. Or the stock "rock guard" or whatever they call it.

 

I think the rock guard would look cool, but I'm sectioning my shell, so I'd have to mess a good one up? That gap is the only thing I don't like about using the mustang radiator... I really like the way the stock radiator fins are tight and close to the shell. I may just have to spend the money to get mine 3 rowed and deal with it!

 

Is it better to get the original re-cored??

Come on guys I know there are more of you out there!!!

 

the original A radiator? Definitely not if you're running a modern motor, the cores are way too small and will constantly overflow with the larger volume of V8 pumps. There's barely any pressure in an A cooling system, the coolant is allowed more time to seep to the bottom through the cores

nothing tricky about running a Mustang radiator in a 28/29 grill, it's small than an A, so you can drop your grill shell down several inches. We did that and also started flattening the top of the shell as well. It's a pain reaching the fill cap though:

sorry for the size on this:

just plain expanded metal as a rock guard

 

Anyone else used these radiators? Or the Afformentioned Dart radiator??

 

50 chevy truck has the fill come off the back side of the radiator so it clears the shell no problem.

 

are you still looking for radiators that will work? i have a list of them in my copy of how to build a t bucket roadster on a budget, i could email you the pages on radiators. its says what the dimensions and even which side the tubes inlets and outlets are on. I believe the dart one is mentioned as well as the mustang.

 

Klemmy I'd really like a copy ! I am searching for a reasonaly priced rad for my 25.
Thanks Walt

 

Same here..Ive been thinking about this for my 28 A build..I was also wondering if a 3 core or 4 core could be put on my A's upper and lower tanks? anyone try this? or have it done?

 

Klemmy,

I'd love a copy as well, please!

 

Anyone know what the insert really was made from? I need one.

 

"T-Bucket Roadster on a Budget" Isn't it a great book? Lots of low-buck building tips for lots of projects.

 

Is that book still in print?

 

That book is out of print and selling for over $120. on E-Bay. Wish I would have bought a few copies!

 

Any radiator shop can solder a elbow filler neck on the opposite side of the top tank and/or move the inlet to the driver's side if you are running an SBC.
Another option depending on hose configuration is to have the filler spliced into the upper hose.

 

my wife is a librarian and she ordered it through interlibrary loan (took about a month from when she requested it to get to her branch). i scanned the WHOLE book on to the computer. just for myself. and you guys cuz i bet none of u have it like that. for references purposes.

 

the insert from the book was from an old box fan like you use in your house, sorta has rectangluar vents to it painted black. just keep on the lookout when garbage day comes or go to the local dump, there should be some of them out there..

 

like this one: