Thread: '33 Radiator Brace

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Originally Posted by 34_40

Hope this helps. Like a dummy, I forgot the camera! Ran home grabbed the camera and ran back to the shop. So I just got home and finished supper, now it's your turn!

34 40, thanks for taking time to go back to the shop. That bracket is a bit different than I had envisioned, and I like the simplicity of it.

Mike, thanks also for the pictures you posted. They explain how a nominal 32" rod works on a '33/'34 - that top cover piece on the radiator has to be at least five inches set back toward the firewall!! At this point every radiator support system I have seen ranges from 31.5" to 32.5", stating that they are for '32-'36 (some say '32-'39) - Speedway, RJays, Vintique, Parr, Old Dog to name a few. I'm not sure that anyone markets longer than OEM dimensions, and given the low cost of a bulk SS rod I'm not sure it is worth too much chasing a supplier.
About the firewall supports, I understand your point and may indeed go that way, but that "cradle" unit is sized for a flat carriage bolt style head with a square shoulder formed on the end of the rod (or welded to it after threads) and a jam nut pulling it into place. I'm not sure they would work very well with a threaded end rod and nut/washer in the cradle. Here's a closer shot from one that I believe is common to all of the "kits" out there. I believe that a 1/4" rod penetrating the firewall with a SS nut and polished fender washer inside and out is going to provide plenty of reinforcement for those rods. My radiator has very little flex with the combination of the spring mounts squeezed down, the splash aprons bolted to the frame and positioning the grille shell, and the grill shell being bolted to the top of the radiator tank in front. At least it seems that way to me. If I'm wrong on this I would appreciate being pulled back on path.