When I put the 351/C-4 in my 55 I stuck the trans cooler on the radiator,a bunch of debris got caught between the two and it got hot on the last trip to Florida and lost third gear. I am wanting a stock looking radiator so was there one in 56 that had a cooler.


Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

Mid year 1956 Ford changed from the air cooled Fordomatic to the water cooled version with the cooler in the bottom of the radiator.  You need to find a radiator for a 56 Ford that is late with the trans cooler in the bottom.  Mac's antique auto parts carries them,  This is the part number  

49-28813-1

Another option is to just upgrade to a modern aluminum radiator.  I put one of the Champion radiators in my ’55 Ford and it does have transmission cooling capability built into it.  It was a bolt in so no problems at all with it and it did get rid of that 'prone to leaking' expansion tank design that was on the original radiator.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Can a aluminum radiator be painted,they just do not look right in a older vehicle to me.


Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio

I painted mine using Hi Temp Bar-B-Q Paint. Use Vinegar to clean Tank first.Gives better adhesion for the Paint. If You didn't know You would not notice that the Rad is Aluminum.

  

Here's a link to their '54-'56 car offerings.

https://www.championradiators.com/Ford-Cars-1954-1956-radiator

Paint will make it stand out less but it still looks aluminum, with all the welds and overall "fabricated" appearance.


Lawrenceville, GA

I might consider a aluminum radiator since its less then 1/2 of the regular version and paint it,I will look into one when the 272 and 62 COM is about ready to go in.  When I stuck in the 351 I used six brackets on the V8 radiator to get more room for a fan and definately not going to have one without a trans cooler after getting the trans hot on the last trip to Florida.


Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio