I just went for a ride in my '51 (just finished assembly of it 3 or so weeks ago). The radiator is leaking pretty bad, and I'm looking for a cheap replacement, are there any late model car radiators that would drop into it? The autoparts store was of no help but I thought you guys might be. Thanks, Haney
Early mustang. Real cheap, If I remember correctly, it should fit ok. I put one in a '39 Chevy I had. I had a '50 Chevy as well an they seemed about the same size...
I got mine on my 55 fixed at a local radiator shop,the old guy has been in buisness for years. I dont know if you would be lucky enough to have a shop near you but it just cost me 50 bucks to have it cleaned and fixed. its worked great all summer.
The thing about a "late-model" radiator, is they're crossflow, and a bit wide. That said...I still ran one for a while in my '52 Chevy I had years ago. Just wired it in, and found hoses to fit.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ They could probably be made work but arent they a crossflow radiator? If you dont mind the look I would assume their would be sevral options.
I bought an aluminum radiator from Superior Radiator for my '50 for under $300. It keeps the nailhead cool on 100 degree days.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1951...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
I just purchased a 3 core stock location aluminum radiator for my 50 sedan delivery by Champion on ebay for just under $250.00 shipped. I have not installed it yet but it looks like it is going to bolt up no problem and seams to be well made.
go to a parts store and ask to look at their radiator catalog and look for a ford truck rad that is close to the same measurements and use it. the catalogs give dememisions. i did that for a stude truck and it worked out for me.
Some of the radiator shops no longer fix the older radiators.. makes you wonder? I have found a wrecking yard or two in my area that repair radiators pretty darn cheap. Something you may want to look into. I think fixing your existing one would be a better answer than buying new.. but up to you.
Someone mentioned recoring it, but my radiator guy quoted me a price to do that if it was to bad to fix and it was close to 300 bucks. I would have bought a new one for that kind of money instead of the recore. *I get the feeling yours can probably be cleaned and fixed if its just leaking.* I would say some radiator shops would rather sell you a new one and make there money that way instead of working for it.
Most shops quit fixing them, simply because the EPA made it hard to do it legally. My father in law still owns the old building the family business was in, doing radiator repair. Some say the 55-57 style work, and Speedway has some cheap "racing" radiators that will fit. $200 on ebay or check out this deal of the day. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Garag...5-Falcon-Comet-Direct-Fit-Radiator,45054.html
Yes, what was said before, a 55-6-7 most likely would fit, and you can get them cheap, new, repos. I just bought a 55 radiator and it will fit right in my son's 54 with alittle mounting bracket work. I would not think the 54 is much differant than your '51. The 55 radiator cost me $20 with no leaks and has the trans cooler.
I bought this one for my 53, http://www.nationalchevyassoc.com/1949_1954_standard_model_%286_cylinder%29_radiator_7101 It works awesome and cools a smallblock too if you ever plan on putting one in. It's not the cheapest but it gets the job done nicely. I've also heard that the aluminum ones from speeday and summit work well but you have to do some messing around to get them to fit where as this one bolts right in. -Steve
Hey bro Parma radiator on State road in Parma fixed the one in my 51. That was 6 years ago so I don't remember how much but it was way cheaper than a new one.
The Jalopy Journal
