flathead in a 31 with 32 grille shell...who makes a...

Ok heres my situation. I have a 31 Tudor with a 53 flatty in it. Has a 32 grille shell. I am wondering who makes a good radiator for this setup. The fill cant be ontop cause my shell is filled. Tell me what you guys are running.
~Dan~

 

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I found a 60 something ford rad. that fits in my chopped shell perfectly. I just need to find the inlet and outlet parts and braze them on . . . or buy another parts radiator. I guess it could be an option?

 

The pic shows how Walker does the filler for a filled 32 grille shell. Other radiator outfits do it pretty much the same.

Radiator shops may have this piece in stock or can get it.
You can usually get bibs in various sizes as well as some angled ones.

I'm guessing, but the price for having the shop solder the bibs on probably isn't too much worse than buying the piece outright.
Plus they have pressure testing.

 

I run a Walker in the Beater. It has a Model A shell. I beleive these guys make radiators for just about any combo you can imagine.

 

Portell radiator in Desoto Mo. do great work!

 

I have a Walker in my 32. They're not cheap, but they are good, and will certainly reduce the chances of you overheating your flatty.
A Walker would work well for you.

--Matt

 

Agree with everyone above. I've got several Walkers, and they can build anything you want. I once took a brand new Walker radiator to a local shop to have a smaller neck installed. They burned several holes in it and it looked like ****. If you use a local shop be sure you have some good references. I don't trust any radiator shop in my town.


Doc.

 

I got a US Radiator for my '30 coupe with 59 AB flatty. I bought it through Vaphead (Eric) at Streamline Autoparts and got the HAMB discount. It fit perfectly.

-Jay

 

Thanks guys Im going to give Walker a call.

 

I was just checking the streamline catalog and seen they dont even advertise flat head radiators. Im wondering how long the turn around will be. I'll give them a call also....Thanks for the info

 

If you go with a Walker, they make quality ****, but they don't come with a cap. You'd think for $400-600 bucks they'd include a cap. You'll have to order that from someone else.

 

Good point, Smokin' Joe.

 

I thought I've read where a repro 65-66 Mustang radiator fits almost perfect, and you can get 'em for $99? I don't have any links, but I'll search around...

 

Anyone else hear of this? Is it true and how much modification would it take? If it takes alot of working might as well buy a new one...But if not I will go that route....sooo...back to the top we go

 

It sure isn't true if you're using a flathead.

Think about how many inlets and outlets you need in the radiator.

 

I thought about that after I posted ...I think Im gonna go with Walker. ...
Heres a question...Do I order a radiator for a 32 with a flathead or...31 with flathead with 32 shell? Does the crossmember make a diference when odering or will the mounts be more or less the same?

 

I've been running a Walker in my '30 coupe with an sbc for about ten years now and it just broke for the 12th time. The header isn't made right, it's just flat with turned up sides for the tank to fit in. It should have j-channels to give rigidity to the upper ***embly. The fit between the tank leaves a lot to be desired as it's too wide for the solder to bond correctly and the top tank is too thin. It breathes and causes the solder joint to crack. My radiator guy is pulling his hair out trying to figure a way to make it work. He's put in gap-filling strips and plate stiffeners and lots of other tricks like the gizmo from an F-150 that provides inner support to the tank. The last fix lasted 9 months. If I had the money, I'd go with U.S. Radiator and throw this in the trash.