I just purchased a 4 core radiator this past week for my 55 Club Sedan. Stock Y block, water pump, spacer, fan, etc. I pulled my original radiator (plugged, "holy", etc) in favor of getting something that would give me better cooling (especially in traffic or at idle). The new radiator was a shade deeper (it looks just like the 56 Ford 312 radiator). It would not install because it kept hitting the fan, not enough clearance. I decided I still wanted to use it,,,,so I had the spacer machined down 1/4", and then I went to work on my water pump shaft with a grinder, and presto! everything fit together, and she cools like there is no tomorrow - very impressed.

Question? anybody run into this trouble, and what should I have done - my fabrication looks as stock as any other 55 - no one can tell, but this cannot be the way it is supposed to work, or am I wrong?

Dan

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Supreme,  possible your water pump was origainally from a differant year car or truck , and was thicker or longer shaft ,  i run into these problems all the time on my project ,   try and find a bracket  to be installed  on  the drivers side  for a alternator  ,  i finally made  some moderfications  and  presto ............reckon its all in the game !!!   Sam     

56 victoria

I think the trucks have a longer water pump - if you can get a hold of a car pump see if its any shorter. I think the trucks also had a bigger centering post for the fan.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

My first concern was that I did have a truck water pump on the car, but that was not the case. It was the right length, and so was the spacer. It seems, from what I have found, that the folks who make the 4 core radiator have made it too deep without enough backspacing. At least the installation looks like it is meant to be--no one can tell a difference unless you get out a depth gauge, etc.

It was worth it, though. I may have to go with a higher thermostat, because I don't want this thing running too cool!

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com