On a '32 Ford radiator, is all that is needed to support/secure the radiator safely these items: upper support rods from the firewall to the top of radiator, and the lower radiator mounting kit (bolt, spring, castle nut, rubber pad)? As in this picture. Or, is more support required?
Those t****zoidal support rods do more for the stability of that radiator than 6 longitudinal and 4 lateral! Surprisingly solid.
Hoses are rather short and original wrapped type ones as in picture are pretty stiff...you could say they add some support, or you could say they add some stress to the radiator when everything twists a bit under road stresses. Whatever you say, they are not entirely irrelevant to happenings as modern long flexible types would be.
Thanks for the input. Yesterday, Fed EX dropped off a Champion '32 Ford radiator for my current custom build. I want to install it the way the original was mounted in a '32 Ford. My car requires 42" long support rods from the firewall to the radiator. I may cut a pair of aftermarket support rods and extend them.
Use super light springs on the bottom bolts. Mine will completely compress with a half pound load. Any twist in the frame will tear the radiator apart if stiff springs are used. The upper triangulated rods hold the radiator in place so any twisting either has to lift a mounting lug or tear the radiator. I have driven 32's for 40 years and never had radiator troubles.
Andy- Thanks for the advice. I read somewhere the bolts are to be tightened until the spring resists turning in your fingertips. So, use lighter springs than Henry's? Another trip to the hardware store.
"I may cut a pair of aftermarket support rods and extend them." I went to the hardware store, bought two pieces of 1/4 " rod 48" long, threaded each end 1/4-20 and called it good. Painted black, they look like they came that way.
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