1928 and 1929 Ford Model A Radiators
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
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
