1931 Commercial Radiator Questions

AA Ford Discussion Group relating to the repair and restoration of your AA Ford.
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dlevy
Posts: 187
Joined: April 12th, 2016, 9:20 pm
Body Type: 82B
Model Year: 1931

1931 Commercial Radiator Questions

Post by dlevy »

Hi Everyone,

Now that I have the commercial radiator shell (Thanks Neil), I am looking for the correct radiator.

I was looking at the Brassworks radiators.

The original was 6 fin and "dimpled" which they can make, versus a 10 fin that is not "dimpled".

I am not exactly sure:
1. what "dimpled" is
2. how often the AA will have a tendency to overheat where the extra 40% of fins will be necessary (still restoring it, never driven it)

Any thoughts / insight are appreciated!

10 fin: https://thebrassworks.net/collections/m ... i-radiator
6 fin dimpled: https://thebrassworks.net/collections/m ... k-radiator

Thanks,
Dave
Bob C
Posts: 1442
Joined: April 24th, 2003, 11:50 am
Body Type: Mail truck, Stake tr
Model Year: 1931
Location: SO CAL

Re: 1931 Commercial Radiator Questions

Post by Bob C »

If your not going for fine points I would use the 10 fin. The original cores
had dimpled fins, see the picture.
Screen Shot 2020-10-16 at 9.42.04 AM.png
Screen Shot 2020-10-16 at 9.42.04 AM.png (248.85 KiB) Viewed 4594 times
dlevy
Posts: 187
Joined: April 12th, 2016, 9:20 pm
Body Type: 82B
Model Year: 1931

Re: 1931 Commercial Radiator Questions

Post by dlevy »

Thanks for the picture. Helps a lot.

In general, how easily I the AA’s overheat? I understand it is a difficult question to answer being there are so many variables.

Is anyone running a 6-fin radiator?

Dave
KimVanOrder
Posts: 753
Joined: August 11th, 2013, 4:25 pm
Body Type: 82-A Platform
Model Year: 1928
Location: Hamilton, Mich.

Re: 1931 Commercial Radiator Questions

Post by KimVanOrder »

I had heating issues for a long time. Bought a new 6 fin Radiator, and still overheated. Then I cleaned the system with "Thermocure" rust remover . Bingo, that did the trick. Rust in the engine really makes the system overheat. Must be there was enough to slow / block circulation. Now I run 50 % antifreeze and I can run it all year long... Should have been the first thing I did. :shock:
KVO
Dec. '28 AA
dlevy
Posts: 187
Joined: April 12th, 2016, 9:20 pm
Body Type: 82B
Model Year: 1931

Re: 1931 Commercial Radiator Questions

Post by dlevy »

Thanks for that. My engine is just rebuilt with only a couple of hours on the test stand.

I am thinking that I am going to go with the 6 fin dimpled radiator to keep it original.

Dave
KimVanOrder
Posts: 753
Joined: August 11th, 2013, 4:25 pm
Body Type: 82-A Platform
Model Year: 1928
Location: Hamilton, Mich.

Re: 1931 Commercial Radiator Questions

Post by KimVanOrder »

Ask the guys that rebuilt it if they "boiled" out the passages. Even at that it could still have rust coating the interior slowing heat transfer. I like the idea of keeping it original. I am doing the same thing with mine.. If it used to work 90 yrs ago, it should work now. If you do have over heating issues once you get it on the road, you can always treat it with Thermacure down the road... I did a double dose and left it in for a week or so...
KVO
KVO
Dec. '28 AA
dlevy
Posts: 187
Joined: April 12th, 2016, 9:20 pm
Body Type: 82B
Model Year: 1931

Re: 1931 Commercial Radiator Questions

Post by dlevy »

Had it done at Schwalms in PA. He rebuilt my transmission as well.

http://www.schwalms.com/services.htm

He did a complete rebuild, but good to know about Thermacure if I ever need it!

Thanks,
Dave
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