Technical Radiators

Last night after the Early Ford V8 monthly meeting a few of us discussed flatheads and gear ratios but another thing that was bounced around was the longevity of the copper/brass radiators.

The radiator in my coupe is still the original one installed in 1932 and is not pressurized,it's amazing to think that it's 86 years old and I haven't seen any indication of a leak or a repair.

I know I can't be the only guy still using a old radiator,how old is the one in your car? HRP

 

Mine's original to the '35 pickup, but it's definitely had some repairs... Copper radiators are expensive to fix!

 

I had a 39 Chevy about 20 years ago still using the original radiator. It cooled a SBC. Sold the car so I don't know if it's still in there.

 

1929 Peerless original honeycomb. No leaks yet.

 

Some of mine had to be cleaned out and/or soldered. I had to spend hours and hours straightening the fins on my '46 Ford business coupe after I bought it...because the fan and radiator had previously introduced themselves to each other. But all of my cars used the original radiator...except my '37 Chevy coupe...had to replace that one...but it was with another original.

 

They are expensive to repair and to purchases but they have a long life. HRP

 

Both my 32’s are running stock radiators, and they both run cool.

 

Pressurizing them to 4-5 pounds helps tremendously.
A pressurize cap along with a 4-5 lb residual pressure valve hooked up to your overflow tube will do wonders.
I’ve even hooked up a smaller, more accessible and cheaper 2 pound brake valve and it even helps maintain the fluid level and keeps it cool.

 

@Tim is using the original radiator out of my '29 in his '29. I did straighten a couple fins but there is no obvious repair. I am probably way off base here but maybe not being pressurized helped them live a little longer. Not to discount the fact that newer radiators are built a lot lighter.

I am using a later radiator from a stationary motor in my rod, but its only about 50 years old.

I got a 55 year old Willys Jeep radiator in the basement that shows no sign of repair either.

In my mind I would much rather use a 50+ year old radiator that has been cleaned than a newer radiator. They are just tougher.

 

I got a custom chopped 28A to fit Ford Y-block v8, one made at South Miami Radiator in 1959,it lasted tell 1998,before rot was so bad in fins,it started to leak. I think it has to do with were your at in USA,an how clean ya keep it. I'm in Miami Florida. I have a newer alum one in the "A" chopped shell now,we'll see.

 

I have the original radiator in my 41 Chevy. It does fine cooling the hopped up 292 I6. And there's a guy near me that does good radiator work and don't charge a lot. He even moved the top and bottom feed and returns for me.

 

Yep Miami or San Francisco same difference except the sea air is colder on the west coast. I always figured that it is colder because you get the sun first and its all wore out and at the end of its shift by the time it got to us.

 

I've got original radiators in both my '36 Ford & '37 Chevy coupe.

 

Mine was brand spankin new in 1930. Original purchase not by me.

 

The Walker Radiator in my beater is 30 years old. HRP

 

They're a helluva lot cheaper to fix than aluminum. And depending on what the issue is, they can bve repaired by anyone with a large enough soldering iron, or skilled with a small torch.

 

And if you do have a leak in the middle of no where any small shop can make a repair to the old copper/brass radiators. HRP

 

Both 32s, 40, and 36 have original radiators. The 36 and 40 sprung leaks after the radiator had been repaired and tested twice so I patch with JB WELD. No leak since.

 

Not a Henry radiator but if weight equates to longevity my Steve Long (Indy) rad should last about 200 years.
Man the thing is a work of art.

 

Denny,have you added water yet? HRP

 

Ha, I think I know what you're not saying Danny!
Or do you know sump'n I don't.

 

I'm not implying anything Denny,just dialing numbers,but if your phone is ringing..... HRP

 

The radiator in my 1950 Chevy 3100 is original.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

my 52's rad is original. Looks bleeping good as they had wire mesh in front of it to protect it.
My 49s I got recored and the inlet and outlet moved due to nailheads being opposite to the old Hudson donk for plumbing. well that and visual reasons
Copper>Aluminum.

 

My 1912 T still has its original radiator, I'm claiming "Oldest HAMB owned car with Original Radiator" Bob

 

Bob,does the car still run? HRP

 

my 23 tub had the original radiator.

 

YES! I let my grandson drive it up the road in low gear two years ago, he was 4 years old and able to hold the pedal down and steer at the same time, smiling all the way.

 

I had my original recored. It was sort of ugly and I did not need the aggravation of leaking coolant or overheating updated engine. Cost was $500
3 weeks after having rad recored repops became available for $300

 

What a great photo,the smile on his face is priceless! HRP