Thread: Need advice on '32 grille & radiator

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I need to order a radiator, grille and insert for the '32 project. I'm really leaning toward an aluminum radiator from either PRC or AFCO. Also looking for a good quality steel repo grille shell and a nice insert. I was shown an insert from Vintique <sp?>, but it looked cheap. Being on a limited budget, what would be good choices for the pieces mentioned?

Mike

Just ME ... but I only buy Walker Radiators ...
They cost a good bit but they look correct and fit great. With their shroud ... both my 430 Horswpower 32's run cool ... even here in the hot, humid South.

No suggestions on a repro 32 Grille shell ... I never use the repros but the Dale's Manufacturing insert is about the BEST repro 32 Ford part I have ever seen ...

We've bought 4 radiators from PRC and each one has been great. Well made and cool like mad. I've had copper ones from The Brassworks and Walker, and they are good, but IMO nowhere near the cooling ability of aluminum. My current T runs at 150 on the hottest day here in Florida. PRC are great people to work with also. Met them some years ago at Turkey Run and the guy at the booth spent a lot of time talking virtues of aluminum vs copper/brass and I am finding what he said to be correct in practice. They will custom make your radiator and move stuff around to suit your application.

I agree on the Dales insert vs Vintique. The quality is very noticeable, and we have both. We are about to find out today how PRC's 32 radiator cools a 464 Olds when we fire up my Sons car, but I have no reason to believe it won't do a good job, based on past experience.

Don

I have a Brookville shell, a Dales insert, and a Walker radiator.

Doesn't get much better than that.

Friend had an aluminum radiator. The brackets for the support rods cracked on 2 different ones. He has a Walker now & no issues.

The one on the 32 in my gallery is a Brookville and a griffin radiator

Thanks to all for your replies!! Don, can you send me a PM with a phone number to call you, I need a measurement off the PRC radiator.

Mike

I put my car together and drove it 9000 miles before I stripped it down for final paint.

I started out with a AFCO aluminum radiator and it broke the core tubes loose from the bottom header. It could not be repaired and had to be replaced. My belief is that it had something to do with how I had my hood mount to the body and twisting of the frame during driving is the cause of the radiator failure (in only about 3000 miles).

My replacement was from Walker, and my thought was copper might not be as effective in cooling as the aluminum type but at least it could be repaired if ever needed. I also changed the mounting so that the hood mounts only to the grill shell and not the sides of the radiator. Note, it does mount to the top of the radiator which allows for frame/body twist without twisting the radiator. The Walker has now gone 6000 miles without one problem.

To me, the fact that the Walker was serviceable at any corner radiator shop was the important factor since my car is "a driver".

I agree on the Dale insert and Walker Cobra series radiator. However I have never owned an aluminum radiator so really can't compare the cooling efficiency of them compared to copper/brass.

My Brookville catalog does not show their grille shell with the crank and other holes in the lower pan area as the original 32 Ford shell does. Have they corrected that? The new Vintique unfilled shells have these holes, so to me they look more like the originals if that is important to you.

Mick

I am not knocking anyone's choices ...

But I live about 2 hours from Griffin Radiators. Quite a few friends of mine got SUPER deals on them ... and a few let Griffin use their old original Ford radiator as a guide to make the NEW aluminum ones. ALMOST every one of them has had problems ... if they DRIVE their cars over 4 or 5 thousand miles. Mounts crack, a few just would not cool ... ( they glue these thing together ) and some just leaked badly after a few miles.

GRIFFIN ... did work with them ... and replaced or tried to repair the radiators.

Most have gone back to Walker or another brand of brass/copper

My Walker in the roadster is a 1988 ... issue. Been on the road ( 56,000 miles ) since late 1993. No problems. I did have to install a shroud in 2000 after I installed the 430 HP engine. Never needed one with the 350 HP engine.

Just my experiences ... Your results MAY VARY ...

The Dales grill fits the new Vintique shell perfectly. Vintique grill fits their own shell poorly. Walker radiators cool great, have a great warrantee and are repairable.
Tim

How about something different from the run of the mill deuce grille???? Got to be some options for the front end besides another run of the mill, just like all the others grille shell and grille????? As for the radiators, never have run a PRC, but I've never had anything but excellent results with Walker radiators!!!! Still the best out there for street use in a narrow, upright grille shell....

I use aluminum crossflow radiators in most everything else, but haven't had real good luck with them in the narrow configuration.....

I ran a Walker for years in my T-bucket. There was a problem with the top tank - and I mentioned it to Vernon Walker at a show - for the price of shipping it to them it was repaired and they paid the shipping back to me - and it was well out of warranty. For my present car, I also dealt directly with Vernon at a show, they cut me a great "show" deal for an A/C condenser Cobra version plus paid the shipping as they were sold out at the time. That sucker is heavy!!!

I've not heard any good words about Griffen's - including all of the mentioned problems.PRC, nothing at all

Grille insert - a Dale's if you can't find a pristine OEM. Brookville '32 shells seem to be the most prevalent - but!!!! - they need a bunch of work to be "right". Mine has in the neighborhood of 40 hours of my amateur body work time, which probably equates to 18 to 24 hours by a pro (@ $100 +/hour).

Just getting started on my deuce already got grille shell looking at it I dont see that much work on it. I have built alot of racecars first deuce. am I missing something. also work for airlines and we have quit using walkers in our tugs for alumi. rads working out great. just my two cents.

Thanks to all for your replies. Even though the general opinion is for a Walker rad, I'm not looking for an original style replacement radiator, the aluminum would be a better choice from a 'styling' theme standpoint. In the past few days, I've talked to people at PRC, AFCO, and Dales. I still haven't decided on the radiator yet, still working out the dimensions I need. So far, it looks like a Brookville shell, Dale's insert and probably a PRC radiator/condenser/fan/shroud combo. Would still appreciate others comments if you've used those pieces.

Thanks,
Mike

I've used PRC in a couple of other cars- nice piece.

Griffin? Another story. Bought one for the 55. 18 months later, it leaked at the epoxy joint on top tank to core. Took it to many shops- wouldn't touch it. Called Griffin- they wouldn't touch it either. Their answer was to sell me another $600.00 radiator!
I think not.

Bought a custom aluminum one from CalWest. No problems (They sell PRC now)

I wouldn't run a Griffin if they sent it to me for free!
No epoxy- ever!!!!!


Oh- and on my shell- my error. The brookville needed some massaging to fit. I used a Vintique instead. Dales insert dropped right in- like it was made for it.
I have the Brookville shell somewhere- probably in storage unit.