I am going to move from a painted radiator shell to a chrome one on my 29 roadster. Since I can't seem to locate an original, I'm considering a reproduction. Snyders have one for $165 and a hot rod vendor, Speedway has one for $109. At least one of the members here thinks they are the same shell. It would be nice to save $50, but I don't want to buy the cheaper one and not be happy. Does anyone have either of these shells on their cars or trucks? How do you like the look and quality? It would be nice to see how one of these new shells looks in a photograph if anyone would be kind enough to post one. Thanks!
Is Anyone Running A Repro Chrome Shell, Pics?
- Thread starter rmak
- Start date
RHD
Well-known member
Most 28/29 repro shells that I have encountered through the years and not worth buying. They do not fit, especially around the radiator neck. Have a word to Jon at Mac's specialized@macsauto.com He might have a good repro stocked by now.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
I bought my 29 Tudor in 1992 and it came with a repro nickel shell, which looked good and fit well. I bought a nickel shell from Mac's a year later and it also looked good, but I haven't mounted it yet.
A lot of people wouldn't know a repro NICKEL shell from an original, but the chrome shells stick out like a sore thumb. The main thing wrong with the repro shells I have is the double bend on the front inner edge is sharp on an original and much less on the repro. The pockets for the mounting screws to the radiator are also less well defined on the repro shells. Maybe the dies are getting worn out, as the repro shells after the one I bout about 1995 don't seem near a well made. I'll post some comparison pictures if I can find them.
A lot of people wouldn't know a repro NICKEL shell from an original, but the chrome shells stick out like a sore thumb. The main thing wrong with the repro shells I have is the double bend on the front inner edge is sharp on an original and much less on the repro. The pockets for the mounting screws to the radiator are also less well defined on the repro shells. Maybe the dies are getting worn out, as the repro shells after the one I bout about 1995 don't seem near a well made. I'll post some comparison pictures if I can find them.
I have seen several repro shells that have too short of neck. When the radiator cap is installed, the black neck of the radiator shows a little. I have seen a couple of A's that the owners wrapped shiny chrome looking tape around the radiator neck, which helped a little. Maybe the newer repro shells have a taller neck on them. In addition, some repros are pretty wavy and look kind of cheesy, due to the bad stamping job.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
Once you know what to look for it's easy to spot a repro shell. You just can't beat a restored original shell for looks and fit. Sometime I will get this original shell replated.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
Have you tried Bert's for a good original shell? If you go with a repro you can get nickel, which IMHO looks better than chrome.
Yeah, I talked to the guy there yesterday. He said he was sure they didn't have a real good nickel plated shell, but he would look. He thinks anyone he has would need replating
That led to a conversation about plating. I have some experience with platers around here because I have restored a few classic British bikes. The price is high and going higher and the quality is getting worse. I've heard that most plating companies are running scared from the EPA, and some even going out of business because of regulations.
The guy a Bert's confirmed my fears. I'm not sure if I could get a good replate on an original.