1939 Pickup Radiator Help!

third_edition

third_edition

Member
When I bought my pickup it had a radiator in it that seems to fit well, except for one small problem, the lower outlets are about 1 1/2" lower than the water pump inlets.

Sure enough, I pulled it out and it is (as per the chassis manual" for a 1938 truck (L81T-A146) and not for a "commercial".

I am assuming the two rads are built differently, but this one fits and is in very good condition.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
George
 
Are you concerned about just getting it to work (hoses connected) or are you concerned about it being correct?
 
I would like it to work, but I would like it to look correct.

I considered putting hoses on the bottom which had a "step" in them, but there is only about 2 inches from the face of the outlets on the rad to the face of the inlets on the water pumps.

The brassworks sells new outlets for 38 - 39 "trucks" but they could mean they are for "Commercial" and if the basic radiators are the same, I may go with these (I have a call into them).
 
I have seen an arrangement made up using large copper fittings. I have a photo somewhere. The OD of the copper matches the ID of the hose. It consist of an elbow, then a riser piece to the correct height to a second elbow. Short pieces of hose connect the copper fittings to the radiator and water pumps.
 
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O.K. go to this website (www.memorylaneclassiccars.com) and look at the engine compartment of a '39 coupe that just sold. There are some aluminum adapters that step down the upper hoses. Perhaps there may be a name on them. Give them a call and see if they can identify them for you. It looks like it's just what you need for your application.
 
In this picture you'll see the two cast aluminum radiator hose offsets mentioned by TJ in post #5 above. These were probably made by a company that I remember used to be called something like "1932 Only", or something similar. They were originally made for the bottom hose application on '32 Fords with the V8. I've looked every way I know how but can't find this obscure outfit. They had some neat items. DD


IMG_1623.jpg
 
Here are the photos I copied a while back.
 

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