Can a 32 ford truck radiator be modified to work with SBC? I plan on using it in my 31 A pickup. The lower outlet needs to be moved to the p***enger side, upper i can work with. I also heard something about them maybe not being able to handle a lot of pressure. Its a real nice radiator and I dont want to ruin it either. Could be sold to finance a different radiator. I just wanted to use it because the cap comes through my 32 truck grill shell, not sticking out from under like the aftermarket ones do. Anyone used one and how/who did the work?
Hi, If the radiator is in good condition, the answere is yes! I used a stock -32 radiator for several years in my roadster. I had to use the short type of water pump, the fan comes very close to the core.
I did the same thing 40 years ago, put a 283 in a 34 pickup. Sold it to a friend, three motors and the same radiator still going strong. Pressure will come from the type of cap you run............If it can cool a flathead, it can cool anything.
A V8 radiator will cool a Chevy just fine. The B radiator has a different tank on the bottom and it looked to me that it would be tough to move the connection to the p*** side. I found a V8 radiator and never tried using a B radiator. If you can find a radiator shop to relocate the lower hose connection cheap then I'd give it a try. I never pressurized an early Ford radiator and I had no over heating problems using a non-pressurized V8 radiator with a SBC. Pressurizing a radiator does not make it run cooler...it just keeps the coolant from boiling if it gets above 212. Mine never got that hot so it was not a problem.
Yeah, that's right, but with a pressurizing system, you can use a non pressurized expansion tank, to be sure that you don't loose coolant when the engine gets hot. But use the right type of cap....
its a 32 truck radiator and grill shell. my plan is to use a stock ford truck radiator cap. so, looks like an overflow tank of some sorts will be necessary. thanks guys.
A stock Ford cap is not pressurized. Just fill it up and let the level rise and the coolant spill until it's up to operating temp and the level stabilizes. The level will fall as the coolant cools after it is shut down but don't be fooled into topping it off again. It will just puke the added coolant when it warms up again. This is normal for an old Ford and commonly misunderstood by the modern mechanic that is not used to it.
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