I'm just starting down the path of removing the original 4 cylinder engine from my 1932 Pickup in favor of a 283 small block Chevy. I have done this once before on a customers '32 5-Window and used a Walker Radiator which, of course, worked perfectly. The truck is for myself and the dilemma I'm having is that the original B radiator is really nice. The only downside is that the lower hose outlet is on the wrong side (left) for a Chevy. The lower tank is also tapered so changing the outlet location wouldn't work. Question is: Has anyone successfully used a stock unmodified '32 B radiator with a SBC? I started imagining a cross-over hose or tubing of some sort. The 4 cylinder engine/trans have been removed but it will be a few weeks (at least) before I can set the Chevy engine in and try mocking it up.
I've never done it with a deuce radiator but years ago I have successfully used a Model A radiator that I took to a radiator shop and had the lower outlet moved to the opposite side and had them seal the original top fill and added a pressurized fitting in the side of the the top tank,much like a walker. Worked like a champ. HRP
I went down that road with my 32 pickup.....I think it can be done but I didn't bother messing with it and used a very good and very compe***ively priced rad from Superior in Mount Clements, Mi .....now mind you, they are by no means to stock dimensions but........it does the job just fine for my stock 265. Good luck and let us know how it goes if you do it.
I used the stock V8 radiator in my 32 coupe with a 289 Ford engine when I first got it. It had two upper and two lower outlets. Just blocked off the two unused ones. It was not pressurized and would boil over on a trip but other than that and adding coolant, it seemed to work fine. I was gong to pressurize it but took it down for a rebuild before I got around to it.
I know you probably want stock but when you can buy a new aluminum 32 radiator for $169 delivered to the house( I just bought one ) it's a tough decision...
I can picture in my mind's eye a farmer pulling a plow with his new 32 ford pickup....or pulling a heavy grain trailer up hills with it. I'd think if the orignial radiator could control the heat of those flatheads, it could control the heat of a sbc driving around unloaded on paved roads. I've always used original radiators when swapping engines if the radiators were in good condition and never regretted it. Use a low pressure cap.
I had an A one done like HRP. They took the lower tank off rotated it 180, soldered the old outlet off and the put a new one out the other side.
Just run your outlet across below the engine with a copper tube. rubber sleeves to hook it to the rad and the water pump. I would take it to a rad guy and make it a pressurized radiator for the small block.
I think I would at least try placing an ad for a swap or try to sell the original radiator and put the money towards a walker. Place an ad here, on fordbarn and at earlyfordv8.org. Will it work, if memory serves me correct yes the radiator is big enough to cool a SBC. I think you are looking at having a radiator shop remove the lower tank and turn it around, fill the outlet and which is now on the front and add one to the back. Fill the remove and fill the neck on the top of the radiator and add a pressure cap on the back of the tank under the hood (4 lbs max on the old radiator). Attach your radiator cap to the shell with a strap across the opening in the radiator shell. Charlie Stephens
Charlie does make a valid point,you might be able to sell the original radiator to a restorer and step up to a walker. HRP
Thank you for the responses, everyone! I think before I went to the time and expense of having the lower tank rotated 180 degrees and re-positioning the the lower outlet I would simply sell the original radiator and put the proceeds towards an new Walker. I don't have any reservation of using a Walker. I've used them multiple times and was very pleased with the quality and function. One of which was custom built to my specs. Just thinking out loud if making the original, unmodified B radiator work is an option. When I get the engine/trans mocked into place in a few weeks I will offer up the stock radiator and see if something tasteful can be worked out. I've seen sub-$200 generic aluminum radiators all over the internet. Literally hundreds of 'em on Ebay. My concern with those is quality of construction and materials, not to mention the chances that one would actually fit an original vehicle and shell correctly. One thing I've noticed on close inspection of the pictures of a lot of them is that the top bracket for the support rods appears to be flat rather than curved to match the angle of the rods. Does anyone have a recommendation for a quality radiator shop in Southern California / LA County area? Since Harry's and Mattson are no more, I wouldn't know who to use. I guess I could at least inquire into the cost of flipping the lower tank and outlet.
You might try the Br***works in Paso Robles. VERY pleased with mine and price is comparable to a Walker
I would (being a hot rodder), do what HRP says in post 2, or keep the 4 cylinder and hot that up..... I actually used a fordson tractor radiator as it fitted nicely, was cheap and had the tanks in the correct position, oh and it works well even though people said it wouldn't.
Rocky--don't forget that farmer didn't have the stop/go traffic, long wait at lights because of *****s on cel. phones not paying attention, oh then there's that global warming thing too!!!!
Call Marshall at Radiator Works. Old style shop that still does all the old mods and repairs. He does all of our work, quality and very very reasonable. 818 701-0504
The Jalopy Journal
