40 radiator

sid carey

Member
My ‘40 convertible has a radiator with a radiator cap in the center of the top, and it doesn’t have two separate cores (one for each side of the engine). It does have a hole for the crank to pass through. Were any forty Fords equipped with such a radiator originally? Sid
 
My ‘40 convertible has a radiator with a radiator cap in the center of the top, and it doesn’t have two separate cores (one for each side of the engine). It does have a hole for the crank to pass through. Were any forty Fords equipped with such a radiator originally? Sid

No. All '40 Fords were equipped with a dual core radiator with the fill off center. You have a later, (service) replacement radiator.

All radiators for the 1940 model year were of the split core design. A metal reinforcement was placed between the cores providing protection to the tubes and fins should the engine crank extension be utilized. All cores were brass, oval tube design. The number and pattern of tubes and fins varied among the various manufacturers. Radiators were produced solely by the Ford Motor Co. until approximately March 1, 1940. Radiators were painted M-1706-A Flat Radiator Black.

The filler cap was on the left side. The overflow tube was soldered to a cap at the center of the top tank. This tube was routed along the left side of the tank, and then downwards, soldered in multiple spots to the left baffle. A “U” shaped channel was soldered to the rear of the radiator below the upper hose nipples. The headlight wiring was subsequently routed within this channel.


Radiators (91A-8005) installed with the 85 HP and 95 HP engines had “91A” stamped in raised letters in the top tank near the left or right hose nipple. Beneath the “91A” was a stamped line and just below that the manufacturers identification. Ford radiators had either a “D” for radiators produced at the Dearborn, MI. plant or “G” for radiators produced at the Green Island plant. These radiators were 3” thick, had four rows of staggered tubes and a total of 38 tubes per row.
On March 1, 1940 Ford began to supply the McCord Radiator & Manufacturing Co. and the
Modine Manufacturing Co. with the upper and lower tanks as well as the baffles. These companies in turn installed these pieces on cores of their own design. On occasion the suffix of the core design was identified. An example would be “B1” for Ford, “B2 for Modine or “B3” for McCord.
 

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I also have a 41 pickup and have the original 1940 radiator as Kube described. Off center cap, dual core. Makes sense to me since every other mechanical part on the 40-41 pickups is basically 40 standard.
 
Thanks guys. Since mine is leaking, I guess I will spring for the $900 reproduction correct radiator for passenger car. Anyone know of a sale? Free shipping? Anyone need a pickup radiator? Sid
 
Thanks guys. Since mine is leaking, I guess I will spring for the $900 reproduction correct radiator for passenger car. Anyone know of a sale? Free shipping? Anyone need a pickup radiator? Sid

You might want to check with Ken on here about the Drake radiator,he had a problem with his.
 
I believe the consensus here is, the better option would be to find a reputable radiator shop near you and have yours or an original rebuilt.
 
I might do that. However, my car is very original and I would like to make it even more so, but I also want it to perform properly. Does anyone have any recent history with the drake radiator? Have they corrected the problems? Thanks, Sid
 
I might do that. However, my car is very original and I would like to make it even more so, but I also want it to perform properly. Does anyone have any recent history with the drake radiator? Have they corrected the problems? Thanks, Sid

Sid, I'd strongly suggest you source a Ford radiator and have it rebuilt. Drake's? Not me, not even at half the asking price.
 
Speaking of 40 radiators. I have a radiator that looks like a 40 radiator but is about an inch bigger in height and width with a factory shroud. Anyone know what it may fit or be for?
 
I might do that. However, my car is very original and I would like to make it even more so, but I also want it to perform properly. Does anyone have any recent history with the drake radiator? Have they corrected the problems? Thanks, Sid

I bought a Drake radiator for my very original 40 but it simply will not cool on a hot day. Almost pegs the temp gauge after a ten mile drive. I even built another engine because I was beginning to think that maybe the block had a crack somewhere putting exhaust gases into the water jacket. New engine did the same thing. I removed the radiator from one of my other 40s and no more heating issues. Drake could care less that I spent that kind of money on that junk. After a couple calls and promises that we’ll call you back that never happened I decided to take it to the radiator shop and he removed the top tank but found no blockage anywhere.
 
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I emailed Drake, and they said they were not aware of any cooling issues with their radiators. I’m considering finding an old correct one and having it recored. I’m concerned that after 80 years most will be pretty beat up. Sid
 
I emailed Drake, and they said they were not aware of any cooling issues with their radiators. I’m considering finding an old correct one and having it recored. I’m concerned that after 80 years most will be pretty beat up. Sid

It’s funny that they aren’t aware of any cooling issues. I made several calls to them explaining my situation and they always said “ we’ll need to call you back”. That never happened.
 
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