Thread: Radiator mounting

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Mounting a radiator in my 40 Ford p/u. I'm think that there's supposed to be some kind of rubber bushing and spring to dampen the vibes and shock to the radiator. The radiator is a aluminum after market made to fit existing mounts that protrude from the frame . What do you guys do ? Thanks for any feedback.

I'm also thinking that the upper radiator mount comes off the inter fender brace and attaches to the radiator like the way I'm holding this mount in the picture, is this correct ? Would there be any rubber bushings at the radiator mounting point ?

You should definitely have some sort of support running under the bottom of the radiator. The tabs on either side will not support the weight of the radiator.

Not sure whose radiator you're using, but mine is from PRC and mounts with the tabs just as you've shown. It's mounted with a single through bolt on each side, nominal 3/8" fine thread with springs and washers, kind of like this:

RADIATOR-MOUNTING-KIT.jpg

The little rubber pads sit beneath the radiator tab, then the bolt & spring drop through from the top, snugged down to compress the spring but leaving room for the spring to take any flex of the frame. Bolt, spring & nut are polished, and they assemble bolt, flat washer, spring, flat washer, through radiator tab, through rubber strap, through frame tab, washer, and nylock nut. There's no other support on the bottom, and the PRC tabs are designed to be the only support other than braces. My top braces run from the sides, using a pair of the slotted holes on each side with 3/16" SS bolts attaching the Carolina Customs hood mount that runs back to the firewall with no rubber anywhere. With them in place it's solid as a rock and so far I have not had any problems in 7000 miles. I'd post a picture of mine but it's tucked behind the splash aprons and can't be seen easily.

I'd say your mount will be fine, but you may have to fabricate new upper straps, or modify the OEM's to fit to the radiator mounts, depending on whose radiator you're running. You might look at extending your frame tab out a bit to provide more support for the tab if you're worried about it, but it looks like it's OK as it is to me.

rspears: Thanks , I have a PRC radiator and will have to do something about the upper mounts there too short. The radiator did come with 4 off set 2x3 aluminum plates maybe there for the top mount ? Thanks for the in put.

Originally Posted by Navy7797

rspears: Thanks , I have a PRC radiator and will have to do something about the upper mounts there too short. The radiator did come with 4 off set 2x3 aluminum plates maybe there for the top mount ? Thanks for the in put.

Your radiator is specific to the 1940 application. Not sure about the plates, but if it didn't come with any information I'd call the guys at PRC and ask. I did with mine, and found them to be very helpful and interested in helping me get to a working installation.

Performance Rod & Custom
6200 State Route 61 North
Boonville, Indiana 47601
(812) 897-5805

rspears: Thanks I'll give them a call. It's much easier learning from someones elses's trail and error than my own.

My "Be Cool" radiator has the tabs like yours. Mounting kits with bolts, springs, and pads like Roger showed are available from the Ford Catalogs (Drake, Mac's, and ebay). My radiator needed to be forward so I have homemade side mounts reaching near the top to cradle the sides in place. The radiator needs to be rubber cushioned every where you mount or touch it. As said the frame will flex, the fenders will flex, and don't forget you have hot metal in the radiator expanding at a different rate than the steel mounts. Mount it letting the rubber and springs being free enough to let it move.