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By B-rad - 3 Months Ago
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The radiator in question is out of the car, been dry probably 50 years. Is there a way to clean it out and test it? Was thinking anout filling it up with clr and water and swish it around for a while and then drain it. But as far as testing it for leaks I have no clue how.
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By paul2748 - 3 Months Ago
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Is there a car radiator shop near you. They can clean it and pressure test it. Or Check you tube for something on pressure testing a radiator.
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By miker - 3 Months Ago
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Brad, given your location and the fact you’ve got factory air if at all possible I’d run that past a radiators shop for a full test and maybe a rodding out. You’re going to need all cooling you can get. Those early Lincoln’s were good that way new.
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By 55blacktie - 3 Months Ago
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I agree with Paul & Miker; the same applies to the heater core. My original heater core looked great, but I submerged it in a bucket of water, put my thumb over one tube while blowing into the other to check for bubbles. I wasn't confident with the results, so I took it to a local radiator shop to be tested; it leaked; the shop owner (Randy) showed me damage that I had overlooked. I asked about re-coring it, but Randy said that I could probably buy a new one for less than the cost of re-coring it. He was right. Better still, he didn't charge for the test ($20) because he couldn't make change. I will return to the shop to have mounting brackets soldered to my new radiator (I like the way that they do business).
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By B-rad - 2 Months Ago
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Not finding a radiator shop near me. If I decide to get a new one, does anyone know where to look? I did google search for one but didnt find any. Doesnt need to be oem,
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By 55blacktie - 2 Months Ago
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Someone on Facebook suggested Johnson's Radiator in Alabama.
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By KULTULZ - 2 Months Ago
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I would think you would want to save the radiator.
See if this helps finding a competent shop in your area - https://www.bbb.org/us/az/cochise/category/radiator-repair
If you go CAPA or a low quality off-shore radiator (if available), it may not work out well. A custom ALUM RAD is going to be $$$.
At the worst, they should be able to re-core keeping the original tanks and bracing. No having to fit/modify to the core support.
POSSIBLY - https://www.thebrassworks.net/products/lincoln-radiators
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By B-rad - 2 Months Ago
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I would like to keep the original radiator if its salvagable. I was just curious what was available in the event that it was shot. Still looking for a shop. No radiator only shop around here so I guess I'll have to find a garage that does radiators too or travel an hour or so to tucson
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By 55blacktie - 2 Months Ago
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If you take your radiator to a garage, not a radiator shop, they'll send it out to a radiator shop. You'll probably end up paying more than if you were to take it to a radiator shop yourself.
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By B-rad - 2 Months Ago
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I'll bet. Question...
Tnis radiator doesn't have an overflow container. What happens when the engine shuts off and antifreeze is hot?
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By KULTULZ - 2 Months Ago
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It will have an overflow, but not a coolant recovery bottle. Is that what you are saying?
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By B-rad - 2 Months Ago
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I don't understand how it can overflow without a coolant recovery bottle? Theres nothing but the cap.
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By KULTULZ - 2 Months Ago
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The top tank fill neck should have a tube running from it down the side of the radiator (pre-coolant recovery w/ outside container). When coolant expands (overfilled and hot), the cap releases the pressure and the coolant is released through that tube. When the internal pressure subsides to cap rated pressure the cap will close gain.
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By miker - 2 Months Ago
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Brad, I don’t know if you’re a member on the HAMB, but I know there’s a member or 2 over there that’s from or close to Sierra Vista. Be worth a post with that in the title for a radiator shop. If you’re not a member, I’ll ask for you.
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By B-rad - 2 Months Ago
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Yeah Mike, I am a member. I'll check in with them.
So what Kultulz is saying, would I be able to install a overflow reservoir to keep from losing antifreeze?
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By paul2748 - 2 Months Ago
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Are you overfilling the radiator? The level should be just a little over the core.
Check with Speedeway, Jegs and Summit - they have coolant overflow tanks. Usually not a big deal to install one.. I like this type, use it it two of my cars. Other styles available - google coolant overflow tanks
B-rad (10/3/2025)
Yeah Mike, I am a member. I'll check in with them. So what Kultulz is saying, would I be able to install a overflow reservoir to keep from losing antifreeze?
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By B-rad - 2 Months Ago
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No. My radiator isn't even installed yet, just wondering if a reservoir would be needed. My buddy has a 50 scruby with a newer engine in it and he changed his overglow out for a bigger one. I wondered why a 54 doesn't have one and if losing antifreeze is something to worry about.
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By Deyomatic - 2 Months Ago
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Mooneyes has some, too, but they call them "water recovery tanks."
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By paul2748 - 2 Months Ago
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I've had two different scenerios re coolant. My 48 (modified 302) was losing coolant so I, used the one I pictured and solved the problem. My 54 (modified 312) was not losing any but decided to add the recovery tank based on the 48 situation as a precaution. Advice - get the car together and running to see how everything works Then go to the recovery tank if there is a problem.
B-rad (10/4/2025)
No. My radiator isn't even installed yet, just wondering if a reservoir would be needed. My buddy has a 50 scruby with a newer engine in it and he changed his overglow out for a bigger one. I wondered why a 54 doesn't have one and if losing antifreeze is something to worry about.
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By Deyomatic - 2 Months Ago
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Paul has great advice. My move is to acquire parts thinking I'll need them and then never use them. Thing is, I never learn.
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By KULTULZ - 2 Months Ago
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"I wondered why a 54 doesn't have one and if losing antifreeze is something to worry about."
There wasn't a need then unlike now. A modern car can overheat and cook the engine if the cooling system is not contained and is allowed to ingest outside air.
The style you have will bleed itself to proper coolant level over a few cycles if the system is tight and correct pressure cap). The nice thing about a COOLANT RECOVERY SYSTEM is it will bleed out most trapped air in the system resulting in having no air pockets trapped.
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By B-rad - 2 Months Ago
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I actually took a good look at the radiator today, it was stored away. The inside is all rust orange and the slots to the core are pretty much closed up. It looks solid. Didn't see any real rust or rot. I called around to see about rodding and nobody wanted to work on it. Since there are quite a few fins bent flat, I'm thinking about an aluminum 3 core one. I believe the original one has 3 cores too. I found one that is for a mustang with the same dimensions, pretty much, as mine. Can also get it with shroud and electric fan for around $250. I found it earlier, don't have it handy to post on here at this time.
https://a.co/d/5m88cFu
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By KULTULZ - 2 Months Ago
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You need (IMO) to consider any time and materials modifications to fit that radiator against your core support. It isn't just going to bolt in.
Did you talk with anyone here - https://www.thebrassworks.net/pages/restorations-and-recores-whats-the-difference
If the car isn't a dedicated resto and you want ALUM, shroud and fan, you need to talk with a vendor that can custom make what you want ... (IMO).
Such as - https://www.championradiators.com/
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By mjs - 2 Months Ago
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I used American Radiator several years ago for my 57 Premiere. No one local wanted to touch it but these guys said no problem. Very happy with the results. They're in Pasco but at the time they had weekly delivery to
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By cokefirst - Last Month
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I have a similar problem. I want to use the original radiator because it is a continuous core. I am not sure anyone makes that radiator style now and I would like to keep it original. I am going to do the dame thing, and take it to a radiator shop for careful refurbishment. Good luck with your project.
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By RossL - Last Month
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paul2748 (10/3/2025)
Are you overfilling the radiator? The level should be just a little over the core. Check with Speedeway, Jegs and Summit - they have coolant overflow tanks. Usually not a big deal to install one.. I like this type, use it it two of my cars. Other styles available - google coolant overflow tanks B-rad (10/3/2025)
Yeah Mike, I am a member. I'll check in with them. So what Kultulz is saying, would I be able to install a overflow reservoir to keep from losing antifreeze?
I am using the same one Paul listed. It works very well keeps radiator full no more puddles in the garage when topping off
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By RossL - 5 days ago
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B-rad (9/30/2025)
The radiator in question is out of the car, been dry probably 50 years. Is there a way to clean it out and test it? Was thinking anout filling it up with clr and water and swish it around for a while and then drain it. But as far as testing it for leaks I have no clue how.
I've checked for leaks this way for a quick check. I cut a bicycle tube in half clamp the ends to the top and bottom hose outlet on the radiator (with the cap on). Use a small hand pump and put a couple of pounds of air (you don't need much). Submerge the radiator in water and check for leaks.
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By 55blacktie - 5 days ago
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paul2748 (10/3/2025)
Are you overfilling the radiator? The level should be just a little over the core. Check with Speedeway, Jegs and Summit - they have coolant overflow tanks. Usually not a big deal to install one.. I like this type, use it it two of my cars. Other styles available - google coolant overflow tanks B-rad (10/3/2025)
Yeah Mike, I am a member. I'll check in with them. So what Kultulz is saying, would I be able to install a overflow reservoir to keep from losing antifreeze?
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By paul2748 - 4 days ago
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No, I did not install one in my TBird. I haven't had a cooling problem nor a water level problem. Stock brass radiator. If you want to install one in n early Bird, CASCO has a kit for it. Personally, I don't like the looks of it (white plastic), but if you paint it black it blends in better. I couple of my friends did that,
55blacktie (12/10/2025)
paul2748 (10/3/2025)
Are you overfilling the radiator? The level should be just a little over the core. Check with Speedeway, Jegs and Summit - they have coolant overflow tanks. Usually not a big deal to install one.. I like this type, use it it two of my cars. Other styles available - google coolant overflow tanks B-rad (10/3/2025)
Yeah Mike, I am a member. I'll check in with them. So what Kultulz is saying, would I be able to install a overflow reservoir to keep from losing antifreeze?
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By 55blacktie - Last Week
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I think you & I have discussed the Casco kit before. I installed it on my 55 while it was still in my dad's possession. I wasn't happy with it & don't intend to use it, if I ever put my car back on the road. I have purchased US Radiator's 4-row, high-efficiency copper & brass radiator, Casco pump, Paragon WP spacer, 6-blade fan, small pulley, and 170-degree thermostat. I've also removed all of the rust & casting sand from the bare block. I don't intend to install a/c. If the weather is too hot for me, it will be too hot for the car.
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