MTFCA Forum

Are radiator emblems safe to use? What's the best way to attach them?

I have some wire art that I made for my T. I used copper wire around the tubes and twisted snug on the inside. I check them frequently to be sure they are not working loose. I have considered threading the wire through small rubber hoses to eliminate contact with the radiator tube. If It doesn't rattle and rub, ii should be ok.

Braze or solder some threaded brass rod to the emblem. Push it through the radiator. Have a bar on the back side, and use a pair of nuts to hold them in place.

Dave's suggestion of threaded rods is best. Wire will eventually wear and break from vibration. Maybe you can guess how I know this.

I used 2-56 all thread, which will pass through the fins easily with no damage to them. You can buy it from McMaster - Carr on line.
The part number is 98790A47 and it is a 1 foot long piece, for $7.26 The 2-56 nuts are readily available at any good hardware store.

I also made a backing plate out of a piece of flat brass stock, to spread the load out and not crush the radiator fins when tightened. Admittedly, it did bend the fins a little, from me carelessly over tightening the nuts..
Next time around, (if there is ever a next time,) a drop of blue locktite on the threads and using only my bare hands to tighten them would be a better idea. Live and learn, as they say...

Anything attached to the radiator core, or located immediately in front of it, will obstruct airflow to some degree. I'd keep it to a minimum, especially if you operate in hot weather in traffic.

Thanks! The pictures really helped.

I use Craig's technique with one addition. I cut a backing piece of rubber from an old inner tube to back the inside plate. That way very liitle tension is needed on the nuts, and the load is more evenly distributed on the fins while cutting down on vibration. The same could be done behnd the emblem on the front of the core.

Allan from down under.