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Technical Soldering brackets to radiator

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by TBonez, Apr 8, 2017.

  1. TBonez
    Joined: Dec 21, 2004
    Posts: 283

    TBonez
    Member

    IMG_5770.jpg Well got the radiator mounted and no surprise I need to run an electric fan due to 1 3/4 clearance between the water pump pulley n radiator. Im going with a 12" SPAL slim fan mounted high mainly because of the taper towards the edges. My radiator is made by US Radiator and I had it shortened to keep everything in line with the cowl. There are no flanges to mount the fan and I'm not going to use those zipp-tie ones. The edges are steel and was thinking of soldering brackets to not only mount the fan but a shroud I'll build later. Question is will soldering on flanges be fine as long as I don't get the metal too hot
     
  2. bct
    Joined: Apr 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,154

    bct
    Member

    I've welded brackets and soldered them too. Keep an air hose and cold wet rag near when you do it. I was worried too but it went well.
     
  3. I welded up a mounting bracket and bolted it to our 32 grill shell. Used half inch angle iron and etc. Bolted our salvage yard elec. fan to it. Nothing contacting or connected to the radiator itself..................
     
  4. 1932tub
    Joined: May 31, 2005
    Posts: 416

    1932tub
    Member

    If you solder the brackets make sure you rivet them as well, or why not just rivet them?
    If you drill into the radiator brackets make sure your drill bit is well back into the chuck so you don't
    drill into the radiator tube.
     

  5. Why not make brackets to grill shell?
     
    Hot Rod Grampa likes this.
  6. TBonez
    Joined: Dec 21, 2004
    Posts: 283

    TBonez
    Member

    Was looking at the way the shell sits and that's the way I'm going. Fan's supposed to show up next week so will start fading up my brackets then
     
  7. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    100_3550.JPG I've run the black plastic fan blades before and the blades go back and are flat at the front and the unit only adds about a 1/4".. Cooling was great and you don't have to mess with those silly electric fans... You can just barely see it in this photo....**Clic pic for larger image**
     
  8. brigrat
    Joined: Nov 9, 2007
    Posts: 5,615

    brigrat
    Member
    from Wa.St.

    Some radiators have Silver Soldered brackets......................................
     
  9. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 7,589

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    I think you have room to run a metal fan on the pump. I have 2" between the pully and the radiator on mine, and at the closest the fan is about 5/8" from the radiator. It's just a simple 4 blade metal fan, and it cools the radiator just fine, I have zero overheating issues, even idling on a hot day.
     
  10. rusty rocket
    Joined: Oct 30, 2011
    Posts: 5,053

    rusty rocket
    Member

    Can anyone chime in thats running a zips riser? That could be an option.
     
  11. Beanscoot
    Joined: May 14, 2008
    Posts: 3,056

    Beanscoot
    Member

    The sixties Fords', and possibly other radiators, had stamped sheet metal brackets soft soldered to the radiator. They had a fairly large area of contact.
     
  12. If you are planning to solder the metal brackets to the brass radiator. Clean bracket of all paint , rust and grease. You need to wash the area on the brackets with muratic acid , Then with solder flux paste apply to bracket area to be soldered. Then apply little heat to bracket and apply some solder. This tins the metal to be soldered when soldered to the radiator . Now you are ready to solder the bracket to the radiator.
    Vic
     
    scrap metal 48 likes this.
  13. TBonez
    Joined: Dec 21, 2004
    Posts: 283

    TBonez
    Member

    Thanx Vic.
     
  14. TBonez
    Joined: Dec 21, 2004
    Posts: 283

    TBonez
    Member

    This radiator has steel on the ends with brackets but they aren't functional. Working from the shell is my best option
     
  15. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,345

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL

    On most new radiators, the vertical sides are "hollow" for a small bit, perhaps 3/8"? I've drilled holes in them carefully for brackets and either used pop rivets or short sheet metal screws with no problems for simple fan shrouds / brackets. But drill too far, and you got a big leak. A talk with your local radiator shop for advice might help (or just let them do the welding / soldering / brazing) if you want to go that way. Gary
     
  16. TBonez
    Joined: Dec 21, 2004
    Posts: 283

    TBonez
    Member

    Thanx for the reply Gary. Ive settled on using a 12" SPRAL slim fan that will work great with a shroud. For the mounting Im going to weld brackets to the inside of the shell and avoid touching the radiator. The bracket will also accommodate the shroud.
     

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