New Radiator

[bobgreco2000]

Good Evening,

I found out our original radiator has too many leaks and needs to be replaced. Our 55 is in very nice shape and looks to be pretty much original so we would like to keep it that way or even make it better.

Has anyone purchased a new radiator recently and / or have any recommendations? Seems like there are only a couple of choices for a concours correct replacement. Any thoughts or experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Bob

[ICON 1956]

Do you want to keep the car original? There are radiator shops that might fix it. The other option is to find one that has a manufactured replica from one of the Thunderbird suppliers. like Concours Parts : www.concoursparts.com & Casco : www.casco@classictbird.com Thunderbird Headquarters : www.tbirdhq.com Good Luck.....

[bobgreco2000]

We want to keep it as original as possible. The radiator is not the original one as it had the connections for the transmission cooler from a 56 or 57. It is also too far gone to be repaired.

Would the aluminum one from the tbirdhq link, which looks correct, lose points in judging if it were painted black?

Thanks

Bob

[paul2748]

If it's being judged as an original Concours yes you would lose points under CTCI rules.

If it is being judged as non-original Concours, no

Under any other classes, like Touring, no.

We want to keep it as original as possible. The radiator is not the original one as it had the connections for the transmission cooler from a 56 or 57. It is also too far gone to be repaired.

Would the aluminum one from the tbirdhq link, which looks correct, lose points in judging if it were painted black?

Thanks

Bob

[MarkR]

Bob, I bought an aluminum replacement for the worn out original radiator on my 55 a couple of years ago. Very happy with it. Here in Vegas cooling is paramount. I have a backup digital gauge and the car runs about 10 degrees cooler on average now. It came from a supplier on eBay called autocity1958. $189.00. A direct bolt-in with stamped original style tanks. I sprayed it black with high heat paint. looks great. I have no connection to autocity. Just my 2 cents worth.
Mark, Las Vegas

[ranchbird]

I just received my new aluminum radiator tonight from concours parts, looks just like the original. Did you paint the core also or just the tank and frame.

[ranchbird]

Just checked out the Auto city classic web site, $165 and free shipping. I paid $279 through concours parts, wish I would of known.

[CSPIDY]

I purchased mine from Concourse Parts for $189.00
I did not paint the core on mine. I did paint the top and sides. If you look real hard you can see the core but I’m not interested in originality as much as good heat transfer.

[bobgreco2000]

Can you buy one from anyone that would pass as a concours original or are they not made? As I understand the rules, they need to be an exact replica.

If not, lots of good replacement info in this thread.

Cheers

Bob

[ICON 1956]

Here 's mine that is Concours excepted, It's a exact replica of the original

[ranchbird]

Did your radiator from concours have a bracket on the bottom for the lower half of the shroud, mine does not.

[ICON 1956]

I had to purchase the Brackets separately from Concours

[eboose7]

The reproduction radiator is missing the stamp showing the date the radiator was built. The date stamp was on original radiators.

[ranchbird]

How did you attach the bracket to the bottom of the radiator, the original is soldered on. Not possible on a aluminum one.

[paul2748]

Either epoxy it on or have some one weld it on.

How did you attach the bracket to the bottom of the radiator, the original is soldered on. Not possible on a aluminum one.