We make aftermarket radiators from Ford blueprints and originals
we have collected. We do our best and want you to be satisfied with your
radiator purchase but Ford did not make things easy on us. Please read
the section below about 1928-1929 Fords to help you understand why you
may have a fit issue.
If you have
any concerns about fit after reading this
then send us your original radiator and
we will build from your dimensions
a radiator that fits your specific car. We do this every day for
Concours cars. You will spend about 35-55 dollars in freight but buy
piece of mind.
If you however trust us to build your radiator to Ford’s dimensions
and want us to sell you an aftermarket radiator then order and
inspect it upon receipt.
If you are not satisfied for any reason, contact us to arrange a return
for your money back or return it freight prepaid. We only request that
the radiator is in new and resalable condition e.g. clean of fluid and
not damaged.
A few notes about “fit”
Henry
Ford was a clever businessman and constructed a popular product in the
Model A. When his business took off, design changes were frequent.
Ford produced 1928 radiators in the Highland Park and then switched
to the Green Island Plant in early 1929. Continued success required
contracting with alternative manufacturers at the Long, Flintlock and
McCord plants in mid 1929. Model A owners may be surprised to learn that
there was specification “drift” in these factories to meet the sales
demands in 1929.
Inlet Height: Ford made a series of frame changes in each production
year and introduced longer bolts and shims which raise the radiator.
While shim thickness was never detailed in the Ford releases, the
recommended bolts lengthen by as much as 1/4″. Shims may be required to
raise your radiator and frame to align the inlet and water neck.
Lower hose angle: Ford angled the lower hose connection toward the
ground and tire to clear the power house generator. Fewer drivers today
use the generator but the correct angle is necessary to align the water
pipe. We angle lower hose connections as Ford did.
Lower
hose length: To many a water pipe is a water pipe but not all water
pipe connections are the same. The slight differences in the
illustration may seem inconsequential but this may affect the angle of
the rubber hose.
The front cross member on frames beginning late ’29 has shallower
radiator mounting pads. When used with ’29 type bodies, Ford compensated
for this with longer mounting bolts and steel shims, along with the
usual rubber pads. Unfortunately, most owners do not know the year of
their frame and Ford did not provide the dimensions of the shims. This
could impact the upper inlet angle and height and potentially impact the
visibility of the header in the shell’s core opening.
Compounding all of these issues, your Model A may have aftermarket
products that are out-of-tolerance, have a mixing-and-matching of parts
from different years or have frame twist or frame spread.
Any or all of these factors may result in a “fit” issue.
Source:
http://www.thebrassworks.net/1928-and-1929-ford-model-a-radiators.html 
