Radiator for 46/47

faustmb

The radiator in my truck is leaking, and is not an OE radiator to begin with. Is there another type that is know to fit with little modification?

Thanks,
Matt

Lee ODell

I heard early 50's Chevy truck radiators fit and they are also available in aluminum.

Lee

faustmb

Someone had posted a vendor that has the specs to make a 46/47 aluminum radiator, anyone know who that vendor is? I searched but couldn't find it.

Thanks,
Matt

oldhudsons

first, what do you have for an engine in it, the original splasher 6, a Hornet, or a Brand X? How much radiator you need depends on what engine you're running.
A common "conversion" used to be to put a Hornet engine in a PU but you also had to increase the cooling capacity considerably! The item to put in was the radiator from a 8 as the chassis already had the bolt holes in it but I'm sure you can't find one any more. If you wanted it to steer properly you needed to swap out the steering gear as original PU steering for the light 6 so we'd put in the steering gear (usually whole column with the Commodore wheel as well) from an 8 as well but probably can't find one of those any more either.

faustmb

oldhudsons wrote:

first, what do you have for an engine in it, the original splasher 6, a Hornet, or a Brand X? How much radiator you need depends on what engine you're running.
A common "conversion" used to be to put a Hornet engine in a PU but you also had to increase the cooling capacity considerably! The item to put in was the radiator from a 8 as the chassis already had the bolt holes in it but I'm sure you can't find one any more. If you wanted it to steer properly you needed to swap out the steering gear as original PU steering for the light 6 so we'd put in the steering gear (usually whole column with the Commodore wheel as well) from an 8 as well but probably can't find one of those any more either.

Sorry for the lack of detail;

OE suspension with sbc 350, will eventually go to a 308. The existing radiator has been poorly reworked, and is corroded and leaks badly. I got quotes from (2) reputable local shops to re-core using my tanks, one at $450 sight unseen and one who looked it over @ $500.

I have (2) good OE stepdown radiators (8 cylinder type), but I would have to cut the inner fenders (battery box) to make it fit which I don't really want to do. The stepdown radiator is about 3" too wide.

Afco makes new Aluminum units that look pretty close for around $600. Someone posted a shop on here before that made a "bolt in" Aluminum one for around the same price I think.

Ideas?? I hate to spend that much on this...

Thanks,

Matt

faustmb

This one looks pretty close, I think it would be easy to adapt to fit and in stock for $470 ish -

http://www.afcoracing.com/hr_cooling_sr_ford_30_39.html

What do you guys think?

oldhudsons

I'm sorry, I was referring to a '41 - '47 8 cyl. radiator & of course steering box. Right, a late 8 rad. would require "surgery" which I hope you feel would be unacceptable.
I know of let's say a "shade tree" mechanic who put a Hornet in a '33 T8 & used a pair of elec. fans to keep it running cool - I don't remember if had or used the original V T8 radiator. Perhaps if you have spatial problems in re fan & water pump you could go that route too.

faustmb

I ended up with Afco unit, it fits like a glove. Who'da thunk? A 32 Chevy radiator fits in the Hudson.

I need to finish the plumbing and give it a try.