mounting radiator???

question....im building a 1926 chrysler three window coupe and I'm using a model A frame. I want to mount the radiator on the cross member by welding some one inch square tubing to the frame to mount the radiator to, and was wondering If that would be a problem.....does the radiator have to be rubber mounted?

I have pic's on me profile.....

 

I would put the radiator at least on a rubber pad to isolate the vibrations. Tractor Supply sells conveyor type belting in different widths that's about 1/4" thick which will work quite well it's reely cheap also. Or if your mounting by tabs on the bottom you can put a rubber pad under each foot & a heavy spring on the through bolt on the top side of the tab. A radiator will move & bounce around way more than you think!

 

thanks...Should I put the pad on the bottom or on the sides were I would be bolting it to the square tubing....?

 

I am not entirely sure I am visualizing what you are trying to do correctly, but I would just mount it the way a stock A radiator is mounted. From bottom to top it goes as follows: nut, crossmember, rubber pad, radiator tab, spring and the bolt going down through all of it. The rubber pad and spring keep the vibrations of the engine and ch***is from cracking the radiator. I don't see any advantage to doing it any other way. Pretty much any place that sells parts for early Fords or hot rods will carry all the pieces in a kit for a couple bucks. Be sure to get a kit with a Nyloc nut or castle nuts because the vibration will loosen up a normal nut.

 

Basically at any point your radiator touches your car it should be isolated with a rubber pad of some type. It would be just a matter of time before you would be chafing a hole in your radiator's tank with no warning. The strut rods going to the cowl would be just fine as they have more than enough "wiggle" to them.

 

I made a radiaor support from 1" square tube like you are talking about, but added feet to the bottom to mount to the mount holes in the
"A" crossmember with 3/8" conveyor belt cushions. I made it to fit an early Mustang radiator.