Radiator Cut Up

So I am having problems with this radiator I have to fit were I need it to. I already have a external ****** cooler on the car and it is not hooked up to the radiator. Is there a way that I can trim on the bottom of the radiator to gain a little width. Just need to go about 1/4. Or will I run into antifreeze and have a bigger problem?

 

Crossflow? Down flow?
Don't think that's a good idea.

 

Alright that's what I thought. I need some way to gain a little . But I'm running to my frame cross member and can't get my shroud to fit. Just stuck

 

I feel your pain. I build this stuff and then can't find a radiator.

 

Yeah I really ****s. I want to run a mechanical fan but I can't. So I might have to run an electric fan in front of the radiator

 

Do you have a few pics of what you are dealing with?


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I can get some. It's a 1966 1967 mustang radiator .

 

I can see that radiator in my mind. I don't see how you could make it smaller without bashing in a tank. Usually not a good idea.
My stuff sometimes doesn't get a fan! I live in the country no long stops while idling.

 

If it's a br***, or servicable radiator, I don't know why you couldn't unsolder the top tank and shorten it some. Maybe the bottom one too - you'd trim it where it solders on, then solder it back together.

It's probably not a project for a novice, but I'd bet a good radiator shop can do it.

Otherwise it's have one custom made for you - which is viable, but not necessarily cheap.

 

I feel your pain, been using that same radiator for years with good results. With my new engine not so much. I've already had the radiator shop move the upper radiator hose to the other side for chevy. Now I'm guessing I'm going to try the aluminum version. These radiators have a top and bottom tank, so I don't see shortening it. Is there no way to raise it up slightly by changing your mounts?

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I did an engine swap in an O.T. pickup for my Dad. I just had a local radiator shop make me a radiator to fit. It worked so good, the heater quit working.

 

I'd find out if there was a radiator shop in your area that does custom work that could either shorten the tank or install a shorter tank. There may even be a correct size tank on another Ford model that has a shorter tank that will fit the existing core,.

 

It is always best to leave rad mods to professionals. They do it on a daily basis and know (for the most part) what they are doing.
Another option is if you measure what you need, summit racing has awesome deals on rads that fit your size requirements.


If you can't take the time and money to do it right the first time, be prepared to do it twice.

 

Alright I will call a local shop and see what they say. I wasn't sure if the bottom of the radiator was just a small pocket for ****** fluid to flow to and air to cool it off. Or if it is in direct contact with antifreeze

 

If you are installing this in an early type car with model A type cross member. You can notch the corners of the crossmember/reinforce with angle to allow the radiator tank cornners to sit lower and have clearence. I did this on my car for a 72 dodge dart radiator.

 

Have you thought about doing a simple modification on your cross member ? I did not notice were you stated what the car or truck is but you can usually notch the top of the cross member and then weld the cut out piece or a new piece of same gauge metal to the notch to add the strength back in. Adjust the height to gain 1/4 to 3/8's on an inch. If you weld this might be easier than messing with your radiator (cheaper) Good Luck, Jeff

 

From what I know, the antifreeze is right at the edge. So I wouldn't chance it. But if you are prepared to buy a new one worst case scenario, go ahead and modify the old one and see if it works.

 

****** cooler flows fluid through a tank inside the cooled antifreeze which takes the heat off, but not all of it, as the trans needs to run at a particular temperature the same as the motor.