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how low is too low on a radiator?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by johnnygringo, Mar 25, 2004.

  1. johnnygringo
    Joined: Oct 2, 2003
    Posts: 381

    johnnygringo
    Member
    from Nashville

    got a very clean radiator off of crestliner and was wondering the best way to get it to the heighth we want

    pics show where i measured to and that puts it 5 and a 1/2 inches off the ground...which seems low

    so should i...

    lower the mounts on frame?
    lower the mounts on the radiator?
    chop it and if so anybody here do it?
    go with another?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. MBL
    Joined: Mar 14, 2002
    Posts: 1,175

    MBL
    Member

    Chopping the Rad is something that is maybe not the easiest or cheapest thing to do...or from what I am told. I think the trick is to find someone willing to do it for a reasonable price. You might do better to use a mustang rad and add bungs to it. Thats what I am doing with my T.
    tim
    MBL
     
  3. flt-blk
    Joined: Jun 25, 2002
    Posts: 4,941

    flt-blk
    Member
    from IL

    That's plenty of clearance, I probably have 3.5" and have
    never hit anything big enough to do damage.

    If you're worried about it build a little nerf bar to
    protect it.
    TZ
     
  4. Crestliner
    Joined: Dec 31, 2002
    Posts: 3,031

    Crestliner
    Member

    The t-bucket I just sold had the radiator that low.
     
  5. Smokin Joe
    Joined: Mar 19, 2002
    Posts: 3,770

    Smokin Joe
    Member

    Yea, flt-blk, but it's pretty hard on that poor lizard!
     

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  6. DrJ
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 9,419

    DrJ
    Member

    Roth's "Outlaw" has the radiator that low, behind the fiberglass nose.
    I think If I was running it that low I'd weld up a "gravel shield" mount for it as thick as the frame metal that encased the front of the bottom tank.
    I'd do this because I have a lower A arm on my '60 Elky that is bent in about an inch from hitting something and I ran over a cinder block on the freeway once with a '71 Caddy and the block disintigrated when it got hit with the front cross member, but if the first thing it hit had been the radiator.... well, you get the picture.
    Make a "box" under there for a mount.
     
  7. Eyeball
    Joined: May 10, 2001
    Posts: 1,668

    Eyeball
    Member

    My roadster is set up similar.

    My radiator does not hang below the frame but the grill shell does.

    I have around 2.5"-3" clearance on it and have not hit yet.

    One thing you have going for you is that the axle is in front of the radiator so it will start up hill before your radiator does.
     

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