Affordable radiator for an SBC in a Model A

I'm looking to see what you guys are using to cool your SBC's in your A's. I'm going to be running a mostly stock 305 (edelbrock intake and manifold) with a 28/29 grill shell. I'm open to changing the grill selection if it means a more affordable radiator option.

 

A fellow I met uses a four core 1965 Mustang radiator, $180 new.

 

I gave 125 for mine but that was a couple for years ago. The most affordable is the mustang radiator, and probably the most commonly used these days.

 

Find an original Ford Radiator it should cool it just fine....I would think. I'm using my OG '35 radiator in front of my 265.

Actually if it's a 4 banger radiator it might not work like the V8's do.

 

Ford 5000 Tractor radiator

Inlet and outlet correct for sbc

Moved the fill tube, but could have probably used the original filler.

minor corner modification, easy for all of us on here.. and welded on two lower mounts for the frame and so far so good

is a br*** radiator, so it looks right..and i couldnt p*** it up for $253 bucks new 2 years ago

 

For a Model A shell you need a radiator made to fit it, other oem style radiators usually let the tanks show, are narrow, or short and don't look good, you know what I mean. You can hide more behind a deuce grille though.

 

Vern Walker is pretty proud of his work, but the radiator in my roadster has been keeping it cool for almost thirty years without much maintenance. If you factor in durability, it has certainly been affordable.

 

What 'Von Rigg' said......

 

That's what I use.

 

If you have an original A radiator you can take it to a reputable shop and have it reworked and make sure they know the app your after and it will hold the pressure.... I know a guy running an orig with a 327 and it's good to go 6 yrs now...

 

im using a 65 mustang radiator with a sbc

 

Here ya go...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ALL-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

I think people do more ******* and moaning about kooling in old cars than about anything else .Buy a good one the first time out and you won't have to do it again.

somebody famous said "Good stuff not cheap , Cheap stuff not good "

 

Somebody else famous said "Money does not grow on trees". Ever price a Model A radiator?

 

A buddy of mine got a ( 32 ford for sbc ) radatior for 225 it looks good but was a little out of square so you get what you pay for

 

a rustang radiator will work fine for a 305 stocker. Anything really cammed up and worked over and it wont cool like it should. I have cars that they worked for and others that they didn't. You can't beat the $120 ish price tag either.

 

aluminum aftermarket off ebay, usually 150-200 bucks

 

When I look at this one, it looks tall like a 30/31 grill shell....anyone have the internal dimensions of a 28/29 vs. 30/31 shell?

 

I can't figure you guys and the mustang radiator, you need a radiator that fits!

 

I was on the auction site the other night looking at A radiators. Aluminum radiators built for an A grill shell was less that $200.00.

There's that much labor in trying to make something else fit.
Larry T

 

Well, I found some specs...here's the one off of EvilBizzle:

Core Size: 20 x 17 1/4 x 2 5/8

3 Rows Of Tubes

Inlet Hose Connection: 1 1/2 Driver Side

Outlet Hose Connection: 1 3/4 P***enger Side

Transmission Oil Cooler: Yes



Overall Height: 26" Including Filler Neck

Overall Width- Mount Bracket to Mount Bracket: 19 1/2"

Mount Bracket Up/Down Outside of Brackets: 18 1/2"

Mount Bracket Up/Down Inside of Brackets: 15 1/2"

Tank Thickness: 3 1/8"


and here's a Griffin off of Speedway:

Chevy Engine
Top Inlet: Center (1-1/2")
Bottom Outlet: Right (1-3/4")
Overall Height: 25.50"
Overall Width: 19.75"
Overall Thickness: 3.00"
Core Height: 20.00"
Core Width: 19.75"
Core Thickness: 2.25"
Tube Size: 1.00"

I think they may be measuring from slightly different places, but they appear to measure up pretty darn close to the same. Looks like the main questionable spec is the width...about 1.5" narrower than the Griffin.

 

The auction radiators are made in China . But I have seen several and have a lot of friends running them in there cars and are happy with the look and performance. Plus they got a 1 year warranty . Most of them are made by a company called Champion or TSP (total street performance) . Beats the hell outta paying thru the nose for a Griffin or Walker esp. if your building on a budget . And who isnt the nowadays....

 

AMEN, brother. I bought one for my 50 Chevy earlier this year, the company was based out of Chicago, made in Chicago area....allegedly. I couldn't find them on EvilBizzle any longer....figures :/

 

Dont hold me to this but I believe Speedway had a aluminium radiator that is pretty fairly priced, just paint it so it dont look aluminium snf bobs you uncle. And it was the speedway brand not walker or ect ect ect.

 

I bought an aluminum cross flow from Speedway for a car with a sbc. I ordered a Ford and turned it upright to fit into the narrow grille, the hose mounts are now back in the Chevy location, relocate the cap from the side to the top and you are good to go. Total cost is about $160.00.

 

With the ones on EB, does it even matter if its a 2 row or 3 row for something like a 305? I know their "1000HP" things are completely bunk...but didn't know if it had any measurable advantage, all things considered.

 

I'm considering a Bryce Thomas Radiator for my coupe with sbc. They are aluminum, have stamped tanks, look pretty good for an aluminum radiator and are made in the good ol' USA. They are a little more pricy than the cheap imports, but still in the $300-$400 range. They have a store on the auction site.

 

Did a search for "Bryce Thomas" under sellers and stores...came up with nada :/

 

Here's a link... Brice Thomas Radiator

 

I bought the Ebay one. It keeps my 582 BBC with a lot of cam between 200-210.