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By Apache - 16 Years Ago
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Curious on what radiators everyone is using, I'm on a strict budget so, instead of paying $600 for a new radiator I was trying to look at my options... I know I could have it rechorded.. But would it be cheaper and more efficient to get a universal one from summit, like this one? http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2D381428&N=700+4294839040+4294810996+4294891681+4294906186+4294883149+4294883015+4294882959+115&autoview=sku
Anyone with advice please chime in.. What size do I need, I'm out of town until Friday so I can't go remeasure, I think I remember it being 27.5"x19" but i can't remember...
And what about tube sizing.. I think the originals have like 1.25" tubes, when this one only has 1", btu besides that i think it's spot on?
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By 46yblock - 16 Years Ago
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I adapted a universal aluminum rad, cross flow with side tanks, to the 1946 stock radiator frame. Cost started relatively low with an ebay price plus shipping of $175, but more than doubled with all that was required. Edit: The radiator shown in your link is very similar to the one I ended up with. Same location and size for inlets and outlets, 2 row 1 in. tubes. Things to consider: catch can, use fan shroud or electric fan, method of mounting.
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By Apache - 16 Years Ago
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I have a friend who can weld, and brackets are $35, oerflow tank is like another $15.. and i was plannin on using the stock fan, is that not a good idea?
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By 46yblock - 16 Years Ago
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The stock fan should have a fan shroud. Universal radiators dont have provision for shrouds so it will take some planning. Welding on side tanks required a person experienced in TIG.
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By charliemccraney - 16 Years Ago
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There are some pretty ugly (in my opinion) universal chrome fan shrouds available.
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By 46yblock - 16 Years Ago
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Charlie are you thinking about the half shrouds that mount through the radiator core? Their effectiveness would be questionable too.
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By Apache - 16 Years Ago
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So one of these would be a drop in plug up and i'd be good to go deal????
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1957-1958-1959-Ford-Fairlane-3-Row-High-Effic-Radiator_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQhashZitem380085048426QQitemZ380085048426QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_3204wt_827
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1957-1958-1959-Ford-Fairlane-3-Row-Radiator-SA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem400040945318QQitemZ400040945318QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_3169wt_812
Also... I don't think my fairlane has a fan shroud?
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By charliemccraney - 16 Years Ago
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46yblock (4/2/2009)
Charlie are you thinking about the half shrouds that mount through the radiator core? Their effectiveness would be questionable too.
Sounds like the same thing. They're certainly not better than a shroud that covers the entire core but they are much better than no shroud at all.
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By ejstith - 16 Years Ago
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I had an excellent aluminum radiator made in Gadsden AL for $275. Was made from my radiator pattern so they will have the dimensions now. It's great. Went out a couple of weekends ago for a little 300 mile jaunt and it never saw 160 degrees goin' down the road. Am very happy with it.
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By 46yblock - 16 Years Ago
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Do you have their name and number? Excellent price.
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By HoLun - 16 Years Ago
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i have the jegs universal radiator, i got it for 160 a few years back, i put on a electric fan, never over heated, nor overcool, welding was not need, all I did was rivet some aluminum plates onto the radiator, drill the plate and it bolts onto the factory mounting points.
I also used those universal reservoir tanks to make my system a closed system, it never spills, because the reservoir have a tube that goes to the filler neck, if the coolant in the radiator expand too much it simply goes to the reservoir, and when it cools down, it just sucks the coolant back from the reservoir tank
got rid of that stupid factory expansion tank too.
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By Missouri Mike - 16 Years Ago
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I must have lucked out. I had to buy a new radiator for my old beater 76 Ford pick up with a 360 and my shop sold me a new all aluminum one for just under $250. That included tax and shipping frpom Chicago. Sadly, the radiator looks so good it just makes the old truck look that much worse, but boy does the radiator look nice. Missouri Mike
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By ejstith - 16 Years Ago
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Call Eric Johns @ C, G&J Inc (Brice Thomas Radiator), 2776 Wills Creek Rd. Gadsden AL. 35904. Phone 256-546-4613.
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