Thread: 1929 Essex Highboy

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Well, started on the radiator mounts and such. As I mentioned, got a '65-'66 Mustang Radiator from an ebay buy. Looks in good condition and fits very well. I welded two flat pieces of metal to the ends of 1 x 1 tubing, found some reinforced flat rubber, cut two small pieces to go under the flat plates and two smaller ones to go on top of the flat plates. Then bolted all down to the front crossmember in the holes for the original 'A' radiator. Then put small rubber grommets in the holes in the side frames of the radiator, bored holes through the 1 x 1 uprights, then bolted through the uprights, the grommets and the radiator frame. This gives a small amount of vibration isolation through the mounting set-up. I then cut a piece of 1 x 1 and welded it across between the 2 uprights just under the top tank. That makes everything rather solid. Eventually I will bolt the grille shell into the uprights, and I am going to put 3/4 square tubing from those uprights back to the firewall, one each side. These will keep the front assembly secure and give me something to hook the hood top to when the time comes. Pics attached. Enjoy. Perley

Perley best post I have seen adapting a stang radiator to a A surround . Just think i have a A/C car and this could ba a alternative to a high dollar Walker . Looks like there may be plenty room for both then a rock guard on front to hide them a bit .

Originally Posted by oldrodder43

Well, started on the radiator mounts and such. As I mentioned, got a '65-'66 Mustang Radiator from an ebay buy. Looks in good condition and fits very well. I welded two flat pieces of metal to the ends of 1 x 1 tubing, found some reinforced flat rubber, cut two small pieces to go under the flat plates and two smaller ones to go on top of the flat plates. Then bolted all down to the front crossmember in the holes for the original 'A' radiator. Then put small rubber grommets in the holes in the side frames of the radiator, bored holes through the 1 x 1 uprights, then bolted through the uprights, the grommets and the radiator frame. This gives a small amount of vibration isolation through the mounting set-up. I then cut a piece of 1 x 1 and welded it across between the 2 uprights just under the top tank. That makes everything rather solid. Eventually I will bolt the grille shell into the uprights, and I am going to put 3/4 square tubing from those uprights back to the firewall, one each side. These will keep the front assembly secure and give me something to hook the hood top to when the time comes. Pics attached. Enjoy. Perley

Perly--Wirh that mustang radiator mounted, you can see why so many people run a 32 grill shell. With a model A shell, there is just no way to hide those ugly damn top and bottom radiator tanks. With a 32 shell you can run a purchased (or easily home made) grill insert, and by painting the rad and tanks flat black they totally disapear.

Thank you all for the support and encouragement. Now that the Holiday Season is behind us (or a LONG way ahead of us) maybe I can get a little more progress.

Wolfco, thanks for sticking with me, and yes, the garage and conditions are kind of primitive, but they suffice. Just wish my Grandson was still working with me on it, kinda takes the punch out of it working alone, no one to share things with. sigh

Hey BobbyD. WOW, that would put a LOT more excitement into moving snow, HUH? And I got a 2.8 from one of my disassembled Chevy S-10's, hummmm

Hello Brian! Glad to hear from you. I presume you have read thru the posts and hope you approve of the way the coil supports and such came together. I am having a little trouble now in finding shocks to fit. Ride height looks like it will be around 9 inches. I have found that Monroe makes a short one, but very limited travel. I wonder what you found to work with yours? Is that cup like affair on the top of your upper mount designed to give a longer shock length? Yes, I agree with the radiator/grille surround thoughts. But--the 'A' surround was really inexpensive and available locally, whereas a '32 surround at this point in time is out of the question. I have given thought to making a mask of sorts to extend the 'A' surround inwards some to cover the major portions of the rad tanks, mounts, and other ugliness. Who knows, I may stumble onto something else before it's over!
Lack of temperature in garage and lack of firewood for stove will make things move along a little slower for a while. Here again, lotsa time (no work) but not much to fund it all. heeheee. Typical problem, aye? Thanks again for helping me along Brian. Perley