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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 14 Years Ago
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The snow melted enough this past weekend to pull old Vicky out of the garage and give her a warm up! Fired her up and she ran great as usual, bit when I shut her down, the old rad sprung another leak at the upper tank seam! arrrgggg!!!! This will be the third time I have had to pull the rad out and braze it up (different spot every time!!!). I think it is time that the old tired rad be given the heave ho! The car has never overheated and tends to run cool, but I guess the brass is pitted or just getting weak in it's old age. Does anyone make a alluminum rad that fits a 56 Ford? I have spoken to a few companies that can make a custom one, but they are pretty pricey. If some company already has a production one, it may be cheaper. Any help would be appreciated, for I plan on this being the LAST time I pull the rad!!!! 
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By aussiebill - 14 Years Ago
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Canadian Hot Rodder (3/22/2011)
The snow melted enough this past weekend to pull old Vicky out of the garage and give her a warm up! Fired her up and she ran great as usual, bit when I shut her down, the old rad sprung another leak at the upper tank seam! arrrgggg!!!! This will be the third time I have had to pull the rad out and braze it up (different spot every time!!!). I think it is time that the old tired rad be given the heave ho! The car has never overheated and tends to run cool, but I guess the brass is pitted or just getting weak in it's old age. Does anyone make a alluminum rad that fits a 56 Ford? I have spoken to a few companies that can make a custom one, but they are pretty pricey. If some company already has a production one, it may be cheaper. Any help would be appreciated, for I plan on this being the LAST time I pull the rad!!!! Rob, i have been watching this on ebay, seems like its what you require. regards bill.
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By 314 - 14 Years Ago
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a lot of places are selling new rads.around 400.www.larrystbird.com is one of many.
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By Rono - 14 Years Ago
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I put in a Ron Davis Radiator and was very happy with the fit and the quality of the welds. I polished the top tank and sides. 
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 14 Years Ago
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Thank you all for the replies, was able to get a quote on a Griffin Rad for about $550.00, not sure if that is a good price compared to others?
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By Jeff - 14 Years Ago
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US Radiator has a retail arm that sells new radiators at very good prices (which includes shipping). I purchased a new four row radiator for less money than the radiator shop wanted to replace my three row core unit in my '57. They are an exact replacement in both appearance and fitment. They advertise in some magazines and also on ebay. I could dig out the contact information if you're interested.
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By PWH42 - 14 Years Ago
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There is a company that advertises in the CVA magazine that has aluminum radiators for 56s for just over $200.I don't have any idea about the quality of their products.If you're interested,I'll look up there their contact info when I get home today and post it.
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 14 Years Ago
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Yes, please post contact info for them and US Radiator. Thanks again to all!
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By PWH42 - 14 Years Ago
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The ad in CVA magazinr is from Auto City Classic.The current ad shows a price of $289 for lightly polished and $50 more for show quality polished.Their phone # is 800 828 2212 and website is www.autocityclassic.com
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By aussiebill - 14 Years Ago
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aussiebill (3/22/2011)
Canadian Hot Rodder (3/22/2011)
The snow melted enough this past weekend to pull old Vicky out of the garage and give her a warm up! Fired her up and she ran great as usual, bit when I shut her down, the old rad sprung another leak at the upper tank seam! arrrgggg!!!! This will be the third time I have had to pull the rad out and braze it up (different spot every time!!!). I think it is time that the old tired rad be given the heave ho! The car has never overheated and tends to run cool, but I guess the brass is pitted or just getting weak in it's old age. Does anyone make a alluminum rad that fits a 56 Ford? I have spoken to a few companies that can make a custom one, but they are pretty pricey. If some company already has a production one, it may be cheaper. Any help would be appreciated, for I plan on this being the LAST time I pull the rad!!!! Rob, i have been watching this on ebay, seems like its what you require. regards bill. These are repo and look like orig, $295.00.
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By ejstith - 14 Years Ago
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I had an aluminum one built in Gadsden AL. They used mine for a pattern & should still have the specs. I'll look it up if you want the info.
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By aussiebill - 14 Years Ago
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ejstith (3/23/2011)
I had an aluminum one built in Gadsden AL. They used mine for a pattern & should still have the specs. I'll look it up if you want the info.I thought these looked ok, comes with inbuilt trans cooler. Ebay 54 55 56 FORD FULLSIZE PASSENGER CAR ALUMINUM RADIATOR
| | | Item condition: | Brand New |
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| | | Please enter a quantity of $quantity$ or less Please enter a quantity of 1 Purchases are limited to $quantity$ per buyer Please enter a quantity of $quantity$ or less Please enter a lower number Please enter quantity of 1 or more |
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| Price: | US $299.00 Approximately AU $295.51 | bla bla bla bla |
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bla bla
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By Grizzly - 14 Years Ago
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Bill, Does it ever feel like you can't be seen or heard??? Look thanks for that. A radiator rebuild/ patchup/ replacement was on my to do list. I have been resoldering this one forever. Something needs to be done again  Most of the alloy ones look too new but are effecient. The repo ones look the part but performance is what they always were. If I was fussed a coat of matt black would have most fooled. I asked about OS delivery yesterday and has come back with questioning more accurate delivery details so looks promising. cheers Warren
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By aussiebill - 14 Years Ago
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Grizzly (3/23/2011)
Bill, Does it ever feel like you can't be seen or heard??? Look thanks for that. A radiator rebuild/ patchup/ replacement was on my to do list. I have been resoldering this one forever. Something needs to be done again Most of the alloy ones look too new but are effecient. The repo ones look the part but performance is what they always were. If I was fussed a coat of matt black would have most fooled. I asked about OS delivery yesterday and has come back with questioning more accurate delivery details so looks promising. cheers Warren Thanks warren, thats what i was thinking! there seemed a simple reasonabley priced solution to question but was swept aside into creating more involved ways to sort it out. Maybe we dont have the options here and this rad seems a simple answer to the problem. regards bill.
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By LON - 14 Years Ago
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Rob , A know a couple of guys here have used Toyota Landcruiser radiators .I think they were FJ40 ( Diesel ) .The bottom outlet had to be swapped to the other side ,and bottom mounting holes had to be redrilled .The good news was the top holes lined up with the originals ,and the stock top hose was used as well .They look to be a good fit and are big enough to keep a BBF cool . Lon
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By Grizzly - 14 Years Ago
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Bill, From what I can see there are a lot of repo radiators out there. Most are reasonable but still pricey. We have to consider freight. There is Aussie desert coolers, great quality and you pay for what you get. I do like the stealthy approach something that looks original but isn't. It's always best to test the water by looking at all options. I like to buy local but sometimes local hasn't got what I need or want. thanks for the tip cheers Warren
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 14 Years Ago
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Thanks again to all for the replies! It looks like Bill has the winner so far, got a couple of prices from different shops, most around the $550.00 mark + shipping. I have one more prospect locally, found a guy who builds aluminum high performance rads here, he is taking measurments off my orignal rad and will give me a quote. With shipping / duties I am looking at about $400.00 for the Ebay ones, if this guy comes close, I keep the business local. Better that way if I have any issues.
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By marvh - 14 Years Ago
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aussiebill (3/24/2011)
Grizzly (3/23/2011)
Bill, Does it ever feel like you can't be seen or heard??? Look thanks for that. A radiator rebuild/ patchup/ replacement was on my to do list. Ihave been resoldering this one forever.Something needs to be done again Most of the alloy oneslook too new but are effecient. The repo ones look the part but performanceis what they always were. IfI was fussed a coat of matt black would have mostfooled. I asked about OS delivery yesterday and has come back with questioning more accurate delivery details so looks promising. cheers Warren Thanks warren, thats what i was thinking! there seemed a simple reasonabley priced solution to question but was swept aside into creating more involved ways to sort it out. Maybe we dont have the options here and this rad seems a simple answer to the problem. regards bill.
Bill:
I bought a four core desert cooler from this seller a few years back. If I remember the price was around $250.00 US at that time. The rad is excellent and cools well even when pulling the trailer with temps of +39o C or the long hauls in the mountains. It is the same rad most of the other suppliers sell for +$400.00
His prices are always reasonable.
On a disclaimer I have no business arrangement with this seller. I am just a happy buyer.
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By aussiebill - 14 Years Ago
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Grizzly (3/24/2011)
Bill, From what I can see there are a lot of repo radiators out there. Most are reasonable but still pricey. We have to consider freight. There is Aussie desert coolers, great quality and you pay for what you get. I do like the stealthy approach something that looks original but isn't. It's always best to test the water by looking at all options. I like to buy local but sometimes local hasn't got what I need or want. thanks for the tip cheers Warren Thanks warren, having been in the motor repair business for over 30yrs and these cars even longer, i watched as recored radiators for customlines kept rising in price from $300.00 up to $600.00 + then find its a big effort for most radiator shops to even find a core to suit, guess a sign of the times. Lon,s rad adaption seems suitable for worked engines etc. Basically freight costs to here add to price, am guessing $100.00 = $400.00 AU but as an answer to US query, thought was good deal. LON, have you got your engine from Ted??
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By Grizzly - 14 Years Ago
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Bill, I got the price back for postage and it's $160 to my door. That's tempting. Cheers Warren
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By PF Arcand - 14 Years Ago
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Rob: What psi rad cap are you using? Originals were 13 lb I think. Mistakingly some people use 16 lb. You could try using a 7 lb cap, like me & Hurricane John. I haven't had any overheating problem, but I'm in the N.West...
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By Ted - 14 Years Ago
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Rob. I had similar issues until I went with a 7 lb. cap on my '55 Customline. Since removing the 13 lb. cap, I’ve had no issues with the top seam on the radiator.
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 14 Years Ago
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I switched two years ago from a 13 psi cap to a 7 psi cap. Rad worked fine until I went to Woodward! Car never overheated or got hot just srung a leak on the top tank seam on the way home. Pulled the rad, and repaired the leak. Now it has sprung leaks along the seam in different places.  Update: I am having a high flow/efficiency 3 core built locally. Should cost me under $400.00. This guy built a rad for a friend and I was impressed by the quality. Going to go this route for if I have any problems, the guy will warrant it and he is local, so easy to track down. Thanks again all for all your help! 
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