I'm looking for a source for the Aluminum Radiators for 55-57 thunderbirds that had been running on eBay a few months ago.  They had an original looking top and shape and were available in polished or unpolished.  They are not advertising them on eBay anymore.  If anyone bought one and has a way to contact them please let me know.  Seemed like it was a t-bird place.  I do not want the square top non-original looking ones that are being run on eBay right now. I need something that looks original.  Thanks, pmfleischman1@yahoo.com.

Pat Fleischman

Pat..........Auto City Classic advertises in the CVA Fomoco Times that they have original looking aluminum radiators for 55 and 56 cars.It doesn't say if they have them for Birds.Their contact info is autocityclassic.com or 800-828-2212.You might give them a try.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250741544497

Item number: 250741544497
ph(714) 225-4445

or

Item number: 200106071011
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-1956-1957-Ford-Thunderbird-Aluminum-Radiator-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2e974053e3QQitemZ200106071011QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

hey Pat, I can't help you much except to say, I bought one of those your talking about, it was a good price and I painted it to look stock. I can't seem to find any paperwork on it, but it was Ebay. It's not a perfect replacement but the best I've seen for the price.

I know Don Hyde can get them, but it'll cost you a little more

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

Al, you seem to know the one I am talking about as they were a good price.  If you come up with any paper work or history on the ebay seller , let me know.  It is not the square ones that are on ebay right now.   I remember that one of the sellers was in Texas.  I will try to call Don as well.   I'm tired of the brass/copper radiators leaking on the top tank all the time.  I plan to paint it black as well, so it looks fairly stock.

Pat Fleischman

Yep, I know what you mean about the leaks. Be warned that the aluminum version (at least mine) was about 3/16th thicker moving the shroud closer and consequently causing tighter clearance around some things, namely the fan. also the top outlet is at a straighter angle making the top hose a little kinked.

Also keep the top of the tank covered when you work around it. Shows dents easily if you look at it wrong.

Shouldn't be problem for a stepper like you though.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

Pat: Are you using a 16 lb rad cap on your car by chance? As far as I know, 57s came with 13 lb. rad caps. And unless your car is prone to overheating, it's been mentioned on this site that 7 lb caps are available that fit. They often relieve the tank seeping problems. I'm running 7s on two old cars with no problems. However, I reside in the Northwest..

Paul

I am running a low pressure cap and an overflow bag(the old w/s washer bag).  I have had the soldiered up at a radiator shop, with limited success( and they dented it). I have done it myself, which lasted much better.    The wide tops on the original style radiator expand and contract throughout the heat cycles and the soldier in the joints is the weak link.  I have talked to some raditor shops that used to add braces inside the radiator tank to help with the expansion and contract on the seams.  My black '57 sedan has to have the radiator tanks soldier about once a year as well.  I drive this nearly car every weekend as a regular car and it has a 460 in it, so it gets a lot of heat cycles on the reproduction radiator.   It runs cool, so excessive heat is not the issue.  The Aluminum radiators are tig welded on the seams and more durable.  I am converting to a f-code supercharged 312 motor in the car eventually, so I want to get all the good parts on it now, before I stain up a detailed y-block with antifreeze.

Pat Fleischman

Pat, Paul has it right. It's Auto city classics. That's what i have in my 56 tbird and if I painted it black it would look original.

-Gary Burnette-