Thread: '33 Radiator Brace

Tweet

When I bought my radiator I told them I was going to run at least a hood top and would install something like the Carolina Custom's brace set for a three piece hood. Well, I've changed my mind for now and will run with no hood at least for now, and I'm looking at the stock style braces from Speedway that have a pair of firewall mounts and SS rods threaded on both ends for adjustment, and thread covers for smooth look. Does anyone have a picture of the brace on the radiator end? The rods say '32 to '36 so I'm thinking the front piece should be the same for that range? I'm also thinking I can probably fab something from some aluminum sheet (or get my aviation mech/airframes son to make it for me ) and have it heliarc'd to my shroud cover, or if necessary to the top tank. So first I need a picture.

Now my big question. This is on a glass body from N&N. There are three parts involved, rods, supports and thread covers as shown here along with a diagram, all from Speedway's site. The rods measure just 32", and my distance from firewall, at what I believe to be the proper angle, is 36" to 36.5". Are the "Thread Covers" simply decorative covers or do they perhaps add length? If it does not add length I'm faced with 1) ordering all parts and welding in a piece of SS rod to extend and polishing, or 2) ordering the supports and thread covers and making longer rods from scratch, but I'll likely have to order a set of rods to see exactly what to build. I doubt this is a unique problem. Any help here?

Rog, I use N&N also and all I do is buy 1/4 round stock,cut to length and thread last 3/4 " or so.

Originally Posted by DA34GUY

Rog, I use N&N also and all I do is buy 1/4 round stock,cut to length and thread last 3/4 " or so.

Don,
This is my first rodeo. Just a couple of jam nuts using the support in the back, or through the firewall with nuts & washers both sides? In the front, I have a question in to PRC about the front bracket, to see if it is something I can have welded on by a good aluminum welder or if rigging something from the shroud is better. Any thoughts on the front which is a bare tank, center hose connection now?

Would a picture of the top tank from a reproduction 34 ford radiator help? I don't currently have one but I can take such a picture this afternoon. And post it later today/tonite

Originally Posted by 34_40

Would a picture of the top tank from a reproduction 34 ford radiator help? I don't currently have one but I can take such a picture this afternoon. And post it later today/tonite

Yes, a picture would be great! I also understand now that the "thread covers" are basically a piece of SS tube welded to a nut - fancy jam nuts, in effect. I was doing a mental stretch trying to figure out how to get another 4" from the OEM type rods.

OK! I'll snap a few this afternoon and post'em tonite!

How to get an extra 4" in the rods,
With a rod streacher, of course
Seriuosly, Thru the firewall as you stated and have a 90 degree bracket tig welded on the top tank in the center.

Originally Posted by rspears

Yes, a picture would be great! .

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!

Roger, hopefully these pics will help too. I recommend you look in places other than Speedway for the support rods, there are lots of other kits out there, you will find the length you need. I also wouldn't drill a hole in the firewall for the support rods themselves, but rather use the firewall brackets for the rods and drill two smaller holes for each bracket. Be sure to use a reinforcement plate on the inside of the firewall, similar to what you would use for seats or seat belts in the floor. JMO

Mike

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.

Roger, Cecil loaned me a stainless steel support rod kit to help do the mock up when mounting my PRC radiator/grill shell. He also advised me that I wouldn't really need the support rods once the Carolina Customs hood hinge system was mounted, they added all the support the radiator/grill shell needed. It's a shame because I ordered the radiator with the support rod bracket on the top tank and now I don't need it.

Mike

Originally Posted by Mike52

Roger, Cecil loaned me a stainless steel support rod kit to help do the mock up when mounting my PRC radiator/grill shell. He also advised me that I wouldn't really need the support rods once the Carolina Customs hood hinge system was mounted, they added all the support the radiator/grill shell needed. It's a shame because I ordered the radiator with the support rod bracket on the top tank and now I don't need it.

Mike

Mike,
Can you snap a picture of the PRC radiator support rod bracket just for grins? I'm exactly opposite from your situation - told Duane I would be running side supports so I did not need the top bracket and he located my radiator & shell for me sans rods. Now I've decided no hood is my initial look so I need the rods & bracket with my stretched splash aprons pushing things out a few inches.

Roger

Just as an aside, the firewall brackets for a '33-4 are different than the earlier ones pictured in this thread. The '33-4 ones mount with three screws, two under the cowl flange, one through the firewall, see picture. Glass cars may not have this flange provision because it makes the mold more complicated, and you may not be going for any level of authenticity just practicality, but for g.p. I thought I'd mention/show it.

Here is a pic of mine,similar to mike's. All hand made and painted

Originally Posted by rspears

Mike,
Can you snap a picture of the PRC radiator support rod bracket just for grins?
Roger

Roger, I hope these help, let me know if you need more or from a different angle.

Mike