Which radiator shell should I go with?

This is what the PO had on my '29 Ford

http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...rdfrontbar.jpg


And this is what it looks like now after he drove it into a 4-post lift, breaking the spreader bar and smacking the radiator :(

http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...barmissing.JPG

http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...egencysign.JPG


After some searching on Fleabay, I've found 3 basic replacement shells....

1) Same chrome shell with top cap and crank hole

2) Chrome smooth style with no top cap or crank hole

3) Unplated


Which one should I go with?

I'm leaning towards the Chrome smooth style since there really isn't a point in having a crank hole or a top cap :o

Also, where would be the best place to get one?

I'd much rather deal with a forum vendor than someone on Fleabay :rolleyes:

Speedway Motors are your friend here

Even tho it's a '29 it might look really good with a cut down '32 shell, matching the height of your grill and radiator now? Just a thought...

Yep, '32 is my vote.

It's hard to beat the look of a 32 shell, but since everybody does it maybe stay with the 29 shell just to be different............

A couple thoughts.

Yeah, '32 passenger shells are pretty common, but if ya like 'em.......

The chrome, smoothy '29 repop is okay, fits the car looks wise, problem is the stampings are kinda so-so and if you've got a good eye you'll see lots of waves in 'em (friendly little cusses).

Or, another less used option is a '32-34 truck grille, this one pictured is a '32 shell that's had the rad cap hole filled and peaked with a '34 trim ring installed.

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Originally Posted by roadster32

Speedway Motors are your friend here

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I checked Speedway's site and they only have they don't have the chrome smoothie shell listed, only a standard chrome (w/crank hole) and a filled unplated shell :(

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Originally Posted by dlotraf33

It's hard to beat the look of a 32 shell, but since everybody does it maybe stay with the 29 shell just to be different............

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That's what I was thinking.

I love the look of the '32 shells, but I'd rather keep this one looking like the '29 that it is :cool:

Besides, adding a '32 shell and insert will easily triple the cost of an otherwise simple replacement :o

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I behold that a '28/'29 PAINTED BODY COLOR shell is about as nice as they come.

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Originally Posted by techinspector1

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I behold that a '28/'29 PAINTED BODY COLOR shell is about as nice as they come.

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I agree. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by techinspector1

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I behold that a '28/'29 PAINTED BODY COLOR shell is about as nice as they come.

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If you're wanting to stay with the original look, then I agree that the shell painted to match your body color would be a better look than chrome, but as Tech says, you're the one it has to please.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by techinspector1

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I behold that a '28/'29 PAINTED BODY COLOR shell is about as nice as they come.

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After reading this, I asked the photoshop crew on another messageboard to paint the shell orange and this is what I get :rolleyes:

http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...iatorshell.jpg




About 30 minutes later, I get this :toocool:

http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...atorshell2.jpg

I know it's a bad job, but I'm still kinda torn between colormatching and a chrome unit :o

http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...rypumpkinn.JPG

I always liked the color match on the '29, but as metioned above - it has to please you - to heck with the rest of us hacks...

ps.... am I the only one that cannot see the pics, just have the dreaded red 'x'

David

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dsprint2000

ps.... am I the only one that cannot see the pics, just have the dreaded red 'x'

David

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Works fine on my end :confused:

Do you have a firewall?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dsprint2000

ps.... am I the only one that cannot see the pics, just have the dreaded red 'x'

David

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You need to clean out your cache and reboot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

You need to clean out your cache and reboot.

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It could also be a filter for the word "s l u t" (I use my carclub website "fuelslut.net" to host all my photos)

My vote would be a 29 shell painted body color & changing the wheels to Halibrands ;)

The painted one is cool but I think I like the chrome better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 98 SNAKE EATER

It could also be a filter for the word "s l u t" (I use my carclub website "fuelslut.net" to host all my photos)

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Ahhhh...... that must be it.... my company's firewall is mist surely blocking that. **)

David

I like the painted shell. It really sets off the motor in contrast. Plus if you go with a 29 it will bolt right back into the old spot. No need to have to re fab a new shell to fit.

I vote for the painted grill '29 grill shell. Here is a photo of my '29 roadster with a painted shell. I sold it in 2000 so I could start building my '32.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Louey

I like the chrome better to. Here's you an orange job.

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Hmm, I think you're right....

That looks just a bit too, erm, orange :o

Here's another chop from the side.

http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...sideorange.jpg

I just noticed the nice work around the top of the windshield to eliminate the visor. Can you post a closer view? I would like to see how that was done. Thanks.

I vote for the chrome smoothie. There's nothing like a chrome shell on a Model A.

My 29 shell is painted to match the body. My 30 is polished stainless. Both look good (to me anyway), so it kind of depends on what you like.

OK, I've tossed it around a bit and I've decided to go with a plated smooth style (no cap or crankhole) :cool:


Now the question is where should I get it from?

Speedway never got back to me when I inquired about a smooth style shell and I'd rather not deal with the folks of Fleabay :rolleyes:




Rick

Rick try here, there is also a vendor list in it.....

http://www.roadsters.com/welcome/

I put a chrome shell on Sue's R/P, It looked better than a painted one.


http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...U/IMG_2071.jpg

Looks good :)

What kind of stone guard are you using? (close up pix?)

There is no stonegaurd fitted i'm afraid.

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Originally Posted by 98 SNAKE EATER

Looks good :)

What kind of stone guard are you using? (close up pix?)

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FWIW, I never ran one either.

My vote would be for the colored one .

Anyone ever dealt with the hotrod company?

http://www.thehotrodcompany.com/shop...oduct_id=A3009

I've dealt with Mike a fair bit and he is exceptional but having said that Speedway is cheaper and also excellent.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 98 SNAKE EATER

Anyone ever dealt with the hotrod company?

http://www.thehotrodcompany.com/shop...oduct_id=A3009

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by roadster32

I've dealt with Mike a fair bit and he is exceptional but having said that Speedway is cheaper and also excellent.

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Speedway doesn't have a chrome smoothie listed and they have yet to get back to me after I contacted them twice :(

OK, I picked up a chrome smoothie from CWMoss for $80 bucks :cool:

Still working on getting a new fine mesh stone guard, but I straightened the old one out and threw some paint on it for now :o

http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...othieshell.JPG
http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...thieshell2.JPG
http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...thieshell3.JPG

I had sent the radiator out for repair and it just got back today, so I'll install the shell tomorow...

Afew shots installed :cool:

http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...linstalled.JPG
http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...installed2.JPG
http://www.fuelslut.net/ihost/files/...installed3.JPG

Looks good--I like the skull!