Im setting up the radiator on my model A frame, the radiator is made for a flathead v8 motor and 32 grille shell. Its obviously too close cause i didnt want to notch the firewall. I have to work out two issues 1. Engine is higher than raditor because of mount placement 2. Its so close that the pump pulleys rub the shroud. Note, im running a puller electric fan. Any ideas how i can 1. first step down the bottom water outlets and 2. move radiator out about 1/2 inch to clear the shroud. Looking for any ideas that dont involve changing motor mount placement cause everything else is already set up according to the current engine placement, thanks.
It is hard to do, but sometimes you have to cut stuff up and start over. If it were me I would redo the motor mounts to move them back and lower them. That would be the absolutely correct way to do it. You have no idea how many things we have cut up and started over, sometimes you just have no choice. A fix could be done by redrilling the holes for the radiator where they mount to the front crossmember about a half inch or so forward of where they are and moving the radiator up a bit. I have that on my 27 because I needed every fraction of an inch I could get for the sbf engine. I know you aren't loving the idea of cutting off those mounts, but in the end you will be much happier and the hoses will have a straight shot between the radiator and pumps, rather than making a sharp turn. Don
If you ran car water pumps, then the pulleys would be tucked in closer to the pump and give you enough clearance. As far as the outlets go, there was a guy on here selling short hoses with a very hard bend in them that may work.
I had a similar issue in my 32. French flathead, with newer pumps. I had to lower the engine to meet the lower rad hose openings.
Do away with the electric fan,,use a engine driven one. I noticed that the engine mount is just tacked in place,,you may end up having to do a little firewall t*******.HRP
While lifting the radiator may not be an option moveing it forward is, just make some mounts that move your radiator forward. Lower hoses may be a *****, you could make up something out of two 45 degree copper Lbows.
Later flatheads (bigger water pumps) aren't really a direct fit in a model a engine compartment. On most A/V8s that I've looked at, the engine mounts are flush with the top of the frame. If you aren't running a hood, an easy fix is to add about an inch to the frame in the engine comartment area. That's what I did. Rich
This is kinda like I painted myself in the corner, How do I get out, I will listen to all opinion but I WILL NOT repaint the floor. Your short answer is get rid of the electric fan, run the mechanical that has worked for the last 50+ years. Answer 2 Use narrow belt truck pumps, might gain you some. Answer 3 Use early front accessories. Answer 4 move the motor back. Answer 5 move the radiator forward.
Couldn't see the 1st pic but would the offset connectors work? Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
Honest charley sells em with the hose and clamps... http://www.honestcharley.com/media/...e95/h/c/hc-801-ra-l-offset-hose-connector.jpg Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
Here is how I mount my fltaheads in A frames. And this is how I mount the radiator if it's too close...as it was on my sedan for the same reason as you... I did not want to cut my firewall. a simple tab with two holes and its moved forward about 2". This also allowed me to mount the radiator off the bottom of the tab. Only about 1/4 lower but it made the shell/hood/cowl line up much better with the full height Walker radiator....by the sound of your description, the same radiator you have
Rich has the answer I'd say. ^^^^^ Use the hose deals mentioned and you should be able to make it work. I like electric fans too, but I get why some people don't like them. I would run it.
The Jalopy Journal
