Are the aluminum radiators for $150.00 listed on EBay good for our T's?
They are for hot rods with v-8 engines. Hoses won't line up etc.
There is a speedster on Ebay that has a hot rod radiator on it. It looks like it has a angled water neck coming off the head to fit the hose coming from the upper radiator inlet. I love the quality of the new T radiator(Bergs and Brassworks)but it is a chunk of change. I have said it before why can't they make and Aluminum radiator for the T's in the configuration we need. I think they would sell well for the people who don't have show cars.
If you look closely, you'll find the alumin radiators do not have a chassis brace bar running through it, T chassis flex will most likely see you replacing your new alumin radiator soon after a bumpy road or even up onto your driveway.
Perfect for a non flexing front end, not perfect for a T.
David.
It is not necessary to have the cross bar/plate... replacement/aftermarket honeycomb don't have. Don't think the front crossmember flexes much/any...besides radiators are mounted on either soft pads or springs. Any flexing problem would be at the upper connection if the hose is close-coupled.
Those China $150 radiators won't mate to stock T requirements. No rad cap neck w / threads, outlets wrong size and location, won't mount to frame for correct location, straight lower tank won't allow fit over crank support, upper tank too small for expansion needed for thermosyphon system.
Plus most times on rods those alum rads use elec fan to keep cool.
Here is one that has already been configured to suit a T, note the top, no cap, it has been placed behind the top tank - if you really wanted to play with a $ 180-00 radiator, l'm guessing here is your starting one.
Just watch the core flex when driving on rough or undulating road surfaces.
David.
Last year I contacted one of the seller's on ebay about making one for a stock model T they answered me that they could make one exactly the same, but they would need one to copy. I would have to ship it at my expense to a warehouse in CA. It would take 4 to 6 weeks after it arrived at their warehouse. They would not ship the old one back unless i paid for shipping. Then the price of the new radiator was $200 including shipping. I bought 2 used ones for now. I think at some point they will be available and i will buy one.
Looks like they were made at a Chinese training center for welders not a radiator factory.
Charlie,
I did the same thing and contacted a company that makes those and they told me just like you that if they had one to copy they could do it. I Know there are lots of nehsayers on here and I do respect and value those opinions but I still think the aluminum radiator is a viable option.
I saw pictures at the model T Ford club of Facebook of an aluminum T-bucket radiator for a modern Ford V8 application that was modified by Tom Meiser to fit in a standard T:
He plugged the original water inlet in the upper tank with a rubber plug and welded a new inlet in the center. He added the filler neck for looks, this radiator is filled under the hood. He just puts the pressure cap in the first click, never turns it tight to avoid pressure in the cooling system (though I don't think anything would risk to be harmed if he allowed some pressure?)
He drives without any hood, so I don't know how good the fit is?
My son put one on his 26 T. It ran hot until he put a water on. After that the temp. stayed around 160.