My original radiator is leaking again. Had it repaired twice and now I am looking for a good quality replacement radiator for my 1956 Ford Crown Victoria, 292 V-8 and water-cooled Fordomatic. I do not have AC at this time but plan to in the future. I have seen the aluminum ones on ebay for just under $300. Does anybody have one of these on their car and what is your opinion of the quality? Any other options?

I bought one and it's been working great.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

You might try visiting http://www.autocityclassic.com  They are selling 57-59 exact replacement aluminum radiators for $225.  Their website shows the wrong price.  When ordering just call their phone number and do not order over the internet.  It is a nice piece and works very well.

You'll probably get some heat for buying junk form China, but Auto City Classics is what I ended up with. Ordered from Concours Thunderbird in Carson City, but it was dropped shipped from Auto City. I only have about 200 miles on it, but the fit was good and along with an oxalic acid cleaning on the block it solved my cooling problems.



Don

Don, are you saying Auto City Classics products are from China. Not giving you any "heat for buying junk form China", just want to know. I'm looking at one of their GAS TANKs for my '55 Ranchwagon. But as they seem the only game in town, I don't have any choice. Just wanted to know if there might be some melted down Chevies in my gas tank that might cause it to rust out prematurely.


"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Danny;

Ron Davis Racing http://www.rondavisradiators.com/radgallery.htm#Ford makes very nice radiators (in the USof A) for our 50's cars, trucks and T-Birds. The top and bottom tanks do not look like the originals, but they fit perfectly in the radiator support and cool very well. They are more spendy than the others, but I got mine about 4 years ago before some of these other reproductions were out there. The top tank polishes up really nice.

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Don't know about their fuel tanks, but the radiator box definitely had a made in China sticker on it.



Don

As of now, I am going to go with the copper/brass for the look of originality. I am looking at the US Radiator website. I compared several of their vendors and come up with Cool Craft and Larry's TBird. Cool Craft has a copper/brass 1954-56 standard radiator 3-4 row for $375 and a 1954-56 heavy duty  radiator 3-4 row for $435. Larry's TBird & Mustang Parts list a 1954-56 standard 4-row (P-8005A) for $389.95. The other is a 1955-57 heavy duty 4-row (T-8005B) for $389.95. They are the same price. I am going to call tomorrow to find out if they are indeed the US Radiator brand and if they are probably opt for the Heavy Duty for the same price at Larry's.

Larry: Just for the record, on your Rad that failed twice, what PSI rad cap were you using? Originally most Y-Blk rads caps were 13 lbs. 16 lb ones are some times substituted. Unless you live in a very hot climate area, you can likely get away with a 7 lb. cap.

Paul

I live in south Louisiana and use a 13 lb radiator cap.