'32 style Flathead Radiator for a '31 A on Deuce Rails???

[31 coupe]

Hi all,
Your valued advice please.
I'm ready to buy a flathead radiator for a '32 shell on deuce rails with a '31 body that has had the regular "mini channel" done. I believe that a shorter radiator is required and the shell needs to be shortened or channelled to bring it into alignment with the '31 cowl. How much shorter is required please?
Also, where's the best place to get a good radiator already shortened, I haven't seen a shortened flathead Walker Z version advertised anywhere either.
Looking forward to your replies, thanks in advance, GB.

 

[FourBangNCanuck]

Hey man,
I'm currently in the same boat as you.
31 coupe, 32 frame, 32 shell. At first I thought everything would work with a new Walker Z series for 32 ford. I was wrong. I learned the hard way after I already bought it and threw out the box. What you want is the same radiator but with a 2inch chop. They do make it and the only place ive found it is brookville roadster. As much as I avoided it, you will have to trim the bottom of your shell slightly to make it fit. Hope this helps ya!
Btw this is kinda a HAMB related question so the regular barn boys might not have much input. Fire up this question over there and you will get alot of responses!

 

[Robert Dip]

’32 shell, ’32 frame, model A body…..channelled. Sounds familiar. As for your question on shortened radiator, it depends on the look you are looking for. I do not know what your ‘mini channel’ is…..anywhere between 2 – 6” ?? This is what I did back in 1961 on my channel ( 6” ) model A coupe. On a fender-less channelled A, I found that the A frame was quite short, so a ’32 frame filled the bill. Since this Hot Rod is an open engine style, I did not like the proporations on the front end, but by placing the rad & shell forward and lowering it between the front horns, it all came together nicely. A complete shell and radiator is dropped without shortening or chopping anything. This is my very first car I built in 1961, so no repop stuff existed as today. Most people are astonished to find out that I have a ’52 Buick radiator that fits very well in the ’32 shell. All that needed was the mods on the hose inlet and outlet. It is also worth mentioning that this is still the same rad for the last 50+ years….still on the original core, and the car never overheated, not even in 100 degree temperatures in the hot summer days and 85,000 miles of driving. Of course, an open engine really helps in the cooling department. So it all comes down to the style of car you are building and whether or not you still need a chop or a drop shell & rad. Sorry guys, for those who do not like 'antique' Hot Rods, but this is my baby of 50+ years, and it will stay this way as long as I walk the earth.

Robert

 

[31 coupe]

Thanks to all replies.
The mini channel is when the cowl support is adjusted to allow the '31 floor rails to fit flat on the '32 chassis rails, it's only about 1/2" down. I was trying to avoid paying $800 for a radiator and then having to pay more to have it modified if I could get one already done, Walker don't list any height options that I could find.
Thanks again, GB.

 

[Mart]

I'd go along with the 2" figure quoted. I had to trim 2" off my 32 shell to line up ok on my 30/32 roadster.

Mart.

 

[Krylon32]

I've done several 30/31 bodies on deuce rails here in the shop and the 2 inch shortened Walker radiator is the one that seems to get the hood top flowing just right going to the deuce shell!