MTFCA Forum

Is the radiator shell supposed to fit flush on the radiator brackets?
(1926 Coupe)

Yes it should., looks to be an earlier shell for the shorter radiator.

I noticed on an earlier post, you radiator is not original. That may be the issue.

I'm told the radiator is not original.
The core should be 18-3/8" but measures 18-7/8"...or 1/2" too tall.
The gap between the the two brackets is 1 inch.
So, the top tank may be too tall OR the brackets on the radiator are set too low.
These things can be fixed with a re-core or modifying the tank (cheaper than a new radiator).

However, maybe the shell is wrong. I get 20-3/4" height of the shell if anyone knows?

This old post has a nice picture showing measurement differences between high and low radiators and shells.
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/4 ... 1403420730
See Jim Thodes enhanced picture with larger numbers.

Great post! Which describes the high shell as 16 to 16-1/4" to the bead below the Ford script.
I measure just over 16" so the shell is correct. Problem is the radiator.
Thanks

High radiator shells can easily be recognised without measuring. I believe all high shells have the sides splayed outwards at the rear, to follow the lines of the hood. Low shells have the sides set square to the top panel. Once the type of shell on hand/needed is determined, then the correct radiator to fit can also be determined.

With the correct shell on the radiator, if the fit is compromised, there is something amiss. On occasion, tall shells have been modified to the lower height, but the hood is a poor fit because it is too narrow on the splayed out sides. The reverse is true on the reproduction shells available a few years back. Both high and low shells were made with the sides square to the front panel. This meant the high hoods never fitted well, because the hood was to wide.

Allan from down under.

The pictures of your shell show the radiator shell trim pieces that should be rivited and soldered (on some shells) to the flat part of the shell at the bottom of the sides, are missing, but the are very thin metal and wouldn't make up the difference in space that you show. The trim pieces, if you don't have them, are available from the vendors.

TY Terry,
Yes, I noticed that they are missing, are thin, and found them available but did not buy. I am going to see if I can lower the entire radiator 1" by raising the two side brackets...as long as it does not interfere with the crank or water hoses. If that all goes well then I will probably have to make custom side mounting brackets for the shell because I also made the apron.
Vern

Boy, I sure would not put that kind of work into an unknown radiator until AFTER I'd run it a couple hundred miles in broiling weather

Vernon, there is not enough clearance between the bottom tank and the front cross member to lower the radiator. On standard Ford tanks there is already a relief in the centre of the tank to give clearance over the engine mount saddle.

Allan from down under.

Vernon, I had another look at you photos and I believe you have a low radiator shell. In the first photo, the mounting foot on the side panel looks to be symmetrical front to back. On a high shell, the bend is such that the back side is narrower than the front. Another indicator can be found on the side panels near the top. If it is a high shell, there will be a countersunk hole to allow it to be bolted to a bracket on the side panel of the radiator. Low shells do not have this hole, as there is no room between the shell and the side panel for such a bracket.

A low shell will never allow the correct fit for the hood, as it is narrower where the hood normally sits.

I'd follow Scott's advice. Run the car for a while to see if that radiator is up to the task before doing a whole lot of work.
Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

Tonight I matched up the length of the hood to the shell they are the same size best I can tell.
I have other photos and I think there is a countersunk hole just above the notch, will check in the morning to confirm. However, there is no bracket on the radiator to even use this hole.
I'll also check to see whether the shell is wider to the rear.
The tank cannot be lowered by relocating the side brackets as there is only 3/8" clearance below.
I have a radiator shop two miles from me that may be able to re-core it to the proper height.

Vern, the lack of bracket may be another indicator that you have an aftermarket, non original radiator.

If I was going to spend money on a re-core I would find an original radiator. Originals requiring such work are not likely to be terribly expensive. Try you luck in the classifieds.

Allan from down under.

The radiator shell has two holes for the countersunk screws and is wider on the back side.

Good photos Vern. That makes it a high radiator shell. To be that far short it may have been cut down sometime to "fit" a low radiator. If it measures correctly for a high shell, the problem may be with the aftermarket radiator.

Allan from down under.