Technical 32 Radiator Shell on 29 Model A

New site so figuring this out. Many very knowledgeable nice people on here.

Prior owner’s cheap Amazon aluminum radiator and poor mounting finally failed.

My car 1929 Ford Model A coupe, 1932 grill shell, body channeled over frame (4”?), 350 Chevy modified from stock, TH350 auto trans. Existing setup looked off with the radiator/grill sitting higher than cowl.

My concerns are looking “right” grill height but not too low the bottom hits items on the road and quality radiator (brand, size, material) where if any is overbuilt as I was driving the car daily.

Any advice welcome for which:

Best quality radiator (Walker out business?), Brassworks, Griffin, and US Radiator/Brice Thomas/CG&I.)

Material (Brass/copper or aluminum.)

“Right height grill/radiator with channeled body.

Thank you.

 

Old setup

 

Ive seen the shell trimmed on the side so the stock grill doesnt get cut.Lowers the shell on a 29 height radiator.Ive seen the shell ,and grill shortened to fit a shorter radiator.I like this look best,but its more work if you do it yourself.

 

Poor fit/finish.

 

Looking at the photo if you get a shorter radiator the shell will sit lower.As long as theres ground clearance it might work out.If not you would be looking at shortening the shell/grill.

 

I month or so ago I would have said Walker as that is what I used and they "Walked" me through choosing the right height for my '29. I believe you are looking at 2 or 3 inches shorter than a stock radiator. Now? not sure who to ask but someone will know.
Though I typically run without the hood, I'm sharing the picture below to show you how it worked out re height of hood at both ends.

 

As said you need a radiator built for a channeled car. Remove the radiator and set the grille shell where it looks good, at least level with the cowl or even a touch lower. Looking at your photos I see the builder mounted the radiator rigidly, he should have used the early Ford style mounting kit that incorporates springs and also it looks like chromed generator/alternator adjusters were used at the bottom to hold the radiator vertical, change those to rod style struts from the firewall to the radiator. You want the radiator to move and flex a bit, not be bound in place.
Many, (most?) aluminum radiators will not have the bracket for the struts so look into that before selecting one. I’m a strong proponent of brass and copper, yes Walker folded their tent but you may luck out and locate a chopped Walker that fits your needs.
Start an internet search ASAP.

 

First do one of two things either shorten the grill shell or notch it and drop it until it sites at the right height. You may have to do a combination of the two. I may do option number two.

Then find a radiator to fit. some guys use the original tanks and get a core fit to the right height. This is the proper way to do it, or you got guys like me who just come up with a rad that will work, this is the wrong way to do it. LOL

It is not rocket science (we actually have a rocket scientist on the board) but it is not easy either. You can do it is you take your time and think about it a little bit. Remember this simple truth "Nothing is a bolt on" You'll do fine.

 

Check with Speedway Motors if they still have their 4 1/2" chopped radiator. I used that along with their chopped Deuce grille insert and chopped my Brookville shell to fit.

 

Try Don's Radiator in Canada. Phone 1-866-999-6645. He can build you a Deuce rad to whatever dimension you want.

 

I built a 29 highboy several years ago for a customer. At that time Dales made a I think 3 inch chopped insert and I cut the shell to match as the customer didn't want the shell to hang down so low. I sent a wooden mock up of the radiator to Brassworks for the radiator. Everything worked out well.

 

I know the world loves the Deuce shell,but the car would look good with a 29 shell too.Get a commercial shell,and paint it flat black,or have it black chromed.

 

I have a 3" shorter radiator in my (unchanneled) '29 on '32 rails. The grill shell is 'glass, trimmed a little extra on the bottom but stock dimensions otherwise. It's trimmed so as to set further down over the frame rails. The hood line drops ever so slightly from cowl to radiator shell, which is as it should be. Your car being channeled over frame would need a shorter radiator and a sectioned grill shell to get the line right. I got a '32 style aluminum radiator from "Radiator Express" for around $250.

 

I've got to go with what @irishsteve says.

 

Appreciate all the advice, experience, tips, and leads. They do look really nice with stock grill shell and commercials. Decisions lol. The pictures also really help to visualize. Happy New Year.

 

Brassworks is the gold standard for quality radiators.

 

I'm probably not much help. I like copper, so I found a NOS 38 Chevy radiator at Hershey years ago. It has worked great for many years. Brookville makes a nice metal repo shell also. Like beaner said, it's all cut and fit. Mine is a little rough. But it suits me. Good luck on your A. Theres nothing more Fun than a Model-A

 

Appreciate everyone who provided advice and experience. Walker is closed and no shops have Walker size needed. Figured out required size needed so it will be custom. Just need to decide material & brand.

Do I do brass/copper (Brassworks or US Radiator) or aluminum (CG&an/Brice Thomas)?

Thanks.

 

Surgery is in order, nice ride by the way

 

Also, looking at your pictures, the previous owner or builder solid mounted that aluminum rad. Make sure you buy or build a correct radiator mount. Bolts, springs rubber dampeners etc.

 

Absolutely . Mount it correctly or your asking for a cracked , leaking radiator .