I have read that there is no cooling advantage from another source, and believe it.  Just for the record, I replaced my stock 42-52 giant four row truck radiator with an aluminum 19X17 cross flow, two row, and have the same problem:  runs too cool at cruising speeds of 35 plus, 155 to 160 with 180 thermo.

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

Further info on this subject; the June -09 issue of Street Rodder has articles about cooling problems. Interestingly, Walker Radiator claims that contrary to popular thinking, there is no cooling advantage to aluminum Rads over copper brass ones. They are lighter & possibly easier to manufacture & look nice. But they don't provide any cooling advantage in comparable size, and aren't better with respect to corrosion problems..

Paul

I HAVE A 55 BIRD WITH LOTS OF HEAT MAKING CHROME ON THE ENGINE (FRONT COVER,OIL PAN,ECT) AND COOLING TROUBLE OPTIONS (AIR COND.,CRUISE-O-MATIC AUTO)---I WAS OVER HEATING REAL GOOD--SO SOMEONE TOLD ME TO CALL GRIFFITH RADIATORS IN NORTH CAROLINA---I DID-- AND THEY SAID THEY STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL BLUEPRINTS FOR A ALUM. RAD. THAT THEY USED TO SELL TO ALL THE NASCAR BOYS IN 57 AND THAT THEY WOULD DIG OUT THE PLANS AND MAKE ME ONE (PERFECT BOLT IN FIT)--JUST SEND THEM $650.00 AND WAIT FOR 2 WEEKS. I DID AND IT CAME---I PUT IT IN--NO MORE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS..( I DID HAVE TO TRIM THE STOCK T-BIRD SHROUD A TAD-NOTHING MAJOR) AND ADD A AFTER MARKET TRANS COOLER FOR MY CRUISE-O---BUT NOW ALL IS WELL AFTER 5 YEARS---SO CALL THEM--I'M SURE THEY ARE ON THE INTERNET---MAYBE THEY HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU?? IT'S WORTH A PHONE CALL--BUT $650 IS A LOT OF MONEY--IT'S YOUR CALL-----BYE......MORGUS IN TOLEDO,OHIO 419-377-9449----OH YEAH--I'M ALSO RUNNING A 16 INCH 'CLUTCH FAN'--IT'S THE BIGGEST YOU CAN FIT WITH THE STOCK SHROUD.....

I was traveling for work today and stopped at the swap meet in Louisville, KY.  I bought a radiator with the top and bottom tanks, with a cooler for automatic transmission for $250.  This radiator was VERY close to the dimensions of the radiator in my '54 Customline.  The price probably was a show price, but if anybody would like to contact him they are:

Dillon Radiator, Inc

3237 Marion Rd SE

Rochester, MN  55904

(507) 289-1292  or 888-988-1292

This radiator looks good and has the right size outlets in the right places.  He told me that he makes radiators to fit your application on request.  I am not associated with him in any way.  Just met him today.  Just wanted to pass on the info.....  Also, it was an aluminum radiator.

Butch Lawson

Manchester,  TN

According to  my interchange book TBird fits TBird only. 54-56 Ford fits 8 or 6 cyl. 57-59 8 cyl will fit. 

55Birdman  Hickory NC

I'll see if I can find them.

Thanks

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

Have you checked with AutoCity out in the midwest? I think I got one for my 55 Club Sedan 2 years ago from them. $300-350 seems the price range I paid.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

John,I think you're right about the wider and shorter.I just got to wondering because I can find reasonably priced repro's for Birds,but not for my sedan.

I was kind of looking at an aluminum one,but not on e-pay.

I'vr talked to 3 radiator shops and the lowest price yet is $450 for a re-core.For that price I can buy a new one from several different places.Either way,it puts a pretty big dent in a Social Security check.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

FWIW, the t-bird and big car radiators have different part #'s ....

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

Paul:

In my mind I see the Bird radiator wider and shorter than the '54-'56 passenger types.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"