Hey all,

I think I need to replace my radiator. I had it repaired at a shop that didn't do a good job, it still leaks a little and I'm having cooling problems.  They pinched of a couple of the channels and they are still leaking.

I see one listed at T-bird Products for $440.  It says it is a heavy duty 4 core, but I want to make sure i get the best product for the $.

Can some of you experts help me out?  Do you think this is the best solution for the price?  Or has anyone found good product that takes little/no modifications and looks original?

On the same topic I see a fiberglass fan shroud listed on T-bird products for a 55-57 T-bird for $60.  Will that fit my 56 Victoria? Or can you point me in the right direction where I can get one? 

I'm also planning on ordering one of the 6 blade heavy duty 17" fans. Has anyone tried them?

What about electric fans? Are they effective? If someone has one that works well please share the details. I'd love to have one for parades etc.

I need to get something done this winter since I over heated several times this summer while idling in traffic.

Thanks!!

Andrew 56-Vicky

I wouldn't suggest pincing off any tubes. I had a radiator shop recore my 59 Ford radiator, it cost $300. It runs cool, even on hot days. Also make sure your thermostat is working. Good luck! 

Y-Blocks Rule

John F

John F

Ballwin, MO

Andrew I havent had any dealings with the following man but a friend has and he was satisfied with his radiator. Nvnzio Picarella  7438 vanport ave, whittier  ca 90606   phone #562 693 8197  i dont know his prices good luck   Carl

Andrew. Nice car. Now about the overheating, just some thoughts. First, use a 180 degree thermostat. This provides quick warm up and has NOTHING TO DO WITH OVERHEATING, NOTHING. If you have some car savy friends ask them to recomend a radiator shop to recore your radiator and get a FIRM price for 3 or 4 row recore. Then you KNOW it fits. I use the 6 blade fan and I like it. USE A SHROUD, the blades of your engine driven fan should be just aft of the shroud. Use a catch can and a 14 lb radiator cap and a 70 / 30 water antifreeze mix and a WATER WETTER. Before all this FLUSH your cooling system. If you still overheat in parades an elect fan will take 10/17 amps to run and should have a RELAY in the system. AS to $440 for a Tbird radiator well check an ALUMINUM radiator FIRST, if you are not going stock. ALUMINUM is THE BEST CHOICE. Let us know. Pete

A recommended thermostat is the #6 NAPA. High flow, 170 degrees. I have a 54 Ford, 312 with the stock radiator, the NAPA thermostat and a four blade fan located within a half inch of the radiator - has never gone over 190 degrees in very hot weather.

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

I believe my book says Mr. Ford recommends a 7# cap.  Will check after church,  Ted Eaton recommended a 7# unit for my recent build.

Check w/ Lance at Thunderbirds Southwest for radiator and fan shroud.  I got my larger anti sway bars there.

"Lance" <tbirdandfordparts@fais.net>

TC

You gotta have the right tools and know how to use 'em.

TC - Austin, Texas

Hey Andrew, Nice car.  I had one like it back in the 60's, wish I had it back.  You would be wise to get a 16" electric fan, pusher type is supposed to be more efficient, should be enough room in front of your radiator.  The A/C experts that I know say to get a Spal fan, that's the brand name.  The other brands don't last, I've been told.  Like Pete said, a 180-degree thermostat is better than a 160 or 170.  NAPA has a high-flow (large opening) 180-degree in their line, p/n is 106.  I've been using one for about 4 years now.  Good luck, Nick Brann

Not to dispute Nick, but I have heard that a puller (rear of radiator) is more efficient. This would seem the more likely, as there is nothing in front of the radiator to stop flow.

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

Andrew; If you just had the Rad repaired and it's still leaking, take it back!..Have it redone or get your money back.. As for all the "ad on aids" for the cooling system, it seems to me you need to get at the root of the problem. 56 Fords are not noted for overheating. So, most likely your system needs a complete flush. Then as mentioned ensure your thermostat is installed properly & functioning. It's also possible but unlikely, you have a failed head gasket, so do the other stuff first.   

Paul

Hey Guys,
Appreciate all the help/info.  I've taken all of it and tried to put it to good use. 

I finished the restore about 2 years ago and have 1200 miles on it since then.  It really isn't over heating bad, I may have not described it well.  It runs fine but on 100+ days at idle for a while (like in a parade) it pegs hot. Once opened up on the road it cools down pretty good. But it's a little annoying to have to worry about it and worry that if I get stuck somewhere I may have to pull over and shut it down.

What is really brining this to a head is that it is now dripping water from a few spots in the radiator...

After I put the radiator in and then finished the restore 6 months later, I noticed that it was leaking a little. I took it back that same day but the shop was cleaned out and gone... so no luck on warranty.

I took it for a drive this Sunday and popped the hood afterward and it was dripping pretty fast from the upper hose.  When i looked closer it is leaking around where the neck comes out for the hose (apart from where the pinched and soldered a tube).  I also noticed it is sweating around the joints on the tank.  So I decided to scrap the idea of a recore and ordered the new 4 core from T-bird Products.  I toyed with going aluminum but want to keep as much of a stock look as I can.  I also ordered the 6 blade fan.

I looked back at my records and I put a 160 degree thermostat in.  Do you think there is a large enough benefit in pulling it out for a 180 while I have the radiator out? I Probably will do it and give it a good flush as suggested.

I also found only 1 place that sells shrouds for the 56 full size car. I found LOTS of T-bird and truck shrouds but had a hard time finding one for my car. (www.ThunderbirdSouthwest.com Owner Lance Harrington $170)

For the electric fan, I did some more lookin and poking around on the web.  They are pretty pricey so I may wait on that and see how this other stuff works. BUT, want to see if anyone can comment on using a shroud for it or not. 

I don't think it would be wise to use a shroud because I plan to mount a pusher on the front of the radiator.  It seems it would block all the air from flowing into the radiator.

If I end up doing it I would probably just mount a simple fan on the front.

Thanks again!


Andrew 56-Vicky