I am buiding a model T coupe on a model A frame, and running a V8 flatty. Going to buy a short radiator core but don't have any radiator tanks. How hard would it be to build them???? Anyone done it? What material would i use?? Thanks matt
Easiest thing to do is buy a used radiator top tank for the same grille shell u are using. For instance a 29 Model A radiator top tank fits perfectly into a 29 Model A grille shell. Hence all the work is done for the top tank allready. Is that an Oakland grille shell I spy in the background?
There in lies the problem. I am using a Oakland grill shell and since i am going with a much smaller radiator i am going to use a much thicker core.
Not sure. I think copper. I was just looking at the Aug 2007 of street rod builder. They show building radiator tanks out of German Silver and mating them to a copper core. Where can i buy just the core???
Well if u cant find an Oaky top tank, then maybe find another make that comes close to the top curvature and width of the Oaky shell. The reason u need to follow the top contour of the shell is so there is no wasted room. since you will be running a small rad your'e gonna need it. Otherwise I would recommend ordering a custom Rad. Speedway sells a chopped rad or you could order a custom made Walker. I see guys on this site all the time asking about jamming Mustang rads into there chopped/lowered Ford shells. problem is, the Mustang top tank is pretty flat so there is alot of wasted space up top.
You can build it yourself if you are good at soldering and working with sheet br***. There is no real magic to a radiator tank. You would have to get a top filler neck and perhaps outlets from a damaged radiator. However, I would suggest taking your Oakland grillshell down to the radiator repair shop. They keep literally hundreds of top and bottom tanks of of rads that they have bought complete replacements for. They turn the damaged cores in for the price of whatever they are made of. I would be mighty surprised if you don't find a premade top and bottom tank that fit your grillshell spot on.
TAlk to your local radiator shop. My buddy makes tanks all the time at his R.shop. He makes them from br*** for local dirt racers and several HAMBers. If you know exactly what you want I can give you contact info.
I have the original Oaky radiator, but not going to work. I just need to know where to buy a core and supplies. Thanks
It's not rocket science, if you want to build it go for it. In the past I have considered it but the sheet br*** isn't cheap, 18gauge was nearly $40 a square foot when I priced it a few years ago, impractical unless you desire to do it yourself for the challenge. For a top and bottom tank it would take over 4 square feet,(a lot of waste due to the odd shapes), not counting the hose fittings and filler neck. A radiator shop can buy it in larger sheets at a reduced price.
Rad shop will have access to the right sheet br***, my guy build tanks all the time. Hammerform is the plan I have
There was another hamber on here, that built his own tanks using br*** kick panels from Home Depot, you know the br*** plate screwed to your front door.
I am a firm believer that anyone can do almost anything given a little knowledge and perseverance. Also a firm believer that the first time that radiator ****s out and you gotta have the car towed home, you'll be wishing you had gone to a pro. I have a Walker, which sprung a leak. Took it to a VERY reputable shop for a repair and that repair sprung a leak. I then went back and threatened to dismember all individuals working on my radiator if the new fix didn't hold up (well not quite, but I was quite firm). They put their best guy on it and it has really held up nicely. Point being, the pros can barley do it, I would not even think about doing one. I do about everything myself with the exception of radiators and brain surgery.
Tank, It sounds like no one on here is a radiator guy or supplier. I suspect it's one of those closely guarded secrets the radiator shop guys don't let out. Make friends with a radiator shop or use the Thomas Register web site and try to find the suppliers, however you are likely to run into the old "What's your account number?" problem. I thinks you've exhausted our radiator experts and apparently want to get in the radiator business. Do your homework. Charlie
Start with bristle-board templates. Made mine from roofer's copper sheeting, nice soft, easy to work with material. Pittsburg lock seam the top curve into the front and rear panels and silver solder the joints from the inside. Good idea to solder in a front to rear joiner between the front and rear panels. The rad shop will have the correct size hose connectors or you can easily sweat them off a damaged donor rad. Same thing with filler neck - just be sure it is not cracked. I've run mine in front of a 324Olds in a Kookie 'T' for five summers, up to 220degrees on a 6# cap on hot summer day in parade stop-n-go (I hate parades - hot rods are made for go, not slow!) no leaks. If you're doing br***, get Don Brazil's excellent video - he's in Riverbank, CA. He shows how he builds a br*** 'T' Bucket rad.
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