'36 needs a radiator upgrade.

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I am looking for a radiator upgrade on my '36. It just runs a hot when the ambient temperatures get up there, boils over and needs cooling off. The engine has been bored 30 over and this probably adds to the problem.

I drive this car a lot and want to keep it as stock "looking" as I can but just want a better cooling system with a better radiator. Should this post be in Street Rods?

Anybody have any ideas on where I could find a radiator that would fit with-out much modification that would have more capacity?

Thanks, in advance for any discussion on this. slim

Comments

  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    Slim - if a H8 already has a 3 1/2" rad. if original, so if so, rad., if clean, not the problem. When engine bored did you have it properly hot-tanked so crud in cooling passages would be removed?

    How long since you've removed the water jacket & checked that block area for cleanliness?

    Which reminds me, I have (can't remember selling it) an NOS '36 H8 rad. 3 1/2" core - if still have it will bring it to Pontiac too. Gotta add that to my list of "brings"! Getting truck out of storage today, starting load later this week - YAHOO, be gittin' "on the road again" soon!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    HI, I took my 36 radiator to an old time radiator man and he put in a thicker

    core. The top tank can be fitted to the thicker core but the bottom tank has

    to be widened. You then have to cut off a strip from the top of the air dam

    to account for the thicker core. Other than that, the radiator fits just like the original. My engine has been bored also and I dont have any heating problem

    even in Arizona. Howard
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    When I rebuilt my '36T engine I had the block "hot tanked" to get all of the crud out of the block and I also found a NOS water jacket at the Nebraska National. Mine runs cool, no over heating.



    Do you have a Hudson 8 or a Terraplane 6?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Mine is the six. I don't know why it runs hot, it just does. I don't know much about the engine history, just that I had the head off once and could see that the pistons are .30 over. Replaced the waterpump, flushed and cleaned the radiator, timing is good, etc.

    I have stopped the vapor lock problem by insulating the gas line with reflective tape but the overheating persists...slim
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    I also added a Scott 6v positive ground fan in front of my radiator that I turn on with a switch under the dash. I use it when I am in stop & start traffic, etc. When I am on the hwy I don't need it. Scott Fans moved from CA to back east, I am sure that he is on the internet. I am in NJ at the moment, so I can't walk out to the garage to get you the phone #.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Best cure for vapor lock that I have found is an electric fuel pump. I only use this if I feel vapor lock coming on, or I suspect that it is about to lock!
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Richard E. wrote:
    Best cure for vapor lock that I have found is an electric fuel pump. I only use this if I feel vapor lock coming on, or I suspect that it is about to lock!



    How hot is Hot? have you actually measured it or is the temp guage reading high? I sold a rebuilt 308 to a fellow that complained it was running hot.. Actual temp was 190.. Summer in Florida..I guess it was hotter than the worn out engine he replaced. :D
  • terraplane8
    terraplane8 Senior Contributor
    denverslim wrote:
    I am looking for a radiator upgrade on my '36. It just runs a hot when the ambient temperatures get up there, boils over and needs cooling off. The engine has been bored 30 over and this probably adds to the problem.

    I drive this car a lot and want to keep it as stock "looking" as I can but just want a better cooling system with a better radiator. Should this post be in Street Rods?

    Anybody have any ideas on where I could find a radiator that would fit with-out much modification that would have more capacity?

    Thanks, in advance for any discussion on this. slim



    Check the water distributor. Often the inside baffle rusts away causing the water flow to become disrupted. There are supposed to be 3 or 4 holes of varying sizes in the baffle so the correct quantities of water pass around the engine. Hudson was always particular on cooling capacity from what I have read so the stock system must be capable enough so long as everything is in good order.
  • Rocket
    Rocket Senior Contributor
    oldhudsons I sent you a pm
  • barrysweet52
    barrysweet52 Expert Adviser
    FYI only There was a design fault on the straight 8 water jacket baffle holes. One hole was completely blocked by the side of the motor. Have just found out that a similar problem exists on the 6 cyl baffle as well. The second hole from the front is partially blocked. Look next time you have the jacket off and you will see what I mean. Denver, do you have a thermostat in the cooling system? Regards, Barry
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