Radiator Paint

[dmsfrr]

My engine is still sitting in the chassis,and the body is still on the rotisserie in the final stages of pre-paint.
I hope to have the under- carriage painted this week. I have been trying to stay out in front of what I am going to need when the paint is complete, which is why I took the radiator to have it serviced. Now that I have it back in the unpainted form , I had the questions.
When I did the engine I had it boiled out. I am at this point attempting to remove any issues that can be prevented.
That might seem overly cautious, but I do not want to sit alongside the highway and have to answer questions from my supervisor, while awaiting AAA.

Same story here, the block for my '55 was also thoroughly cleaned out before it was rebuilt and installed. In my opinion it's the most important thing to do.

They didn't overheat when new so there isn't a good reason for them to overheat now if you're already cleaning & repairing all the original parts.
https://www.ctci.org/1955-56-57-thunderbird-overheating/

My '55 does seem to get a bit too warm in slow traffic and at stoplights but hasn't overheated.
I've also got a '57 project that will have a large throat thermostat and the better water pump spacer on it when the rebuilt engine is installed. I'll probably get a large vane/hi output water pump too.
.

 

[zuburg]

Did you have to prep your aluminum radiator in any way before you painted it?

I was just looking at some replacement aluminum radiators and it appeared several of them had the upper hose pipe slanting down at a pretty good angle instead of being straight? Did yours have that? If so, was there any issue with attaching the upper shroud? Did the bottom have something to attach the support bracket for the lower shroud?

 

[KULTULZ]

Did you have to prep your aluminum radiator in any way before you painted it?

These people can answer your questions. ALUM usually requires an etching primer or it may included in the fizzie bomb -

CLICK HERE - https://www.eastwood.com/ew-radiator-black-12oz-satin-finish.html

Give radiators a factory-quality finish without affecting performance by choosing Eastwood Radiator Paint in Satin Black. Normal engine paints are too thick for radiators; using them will interfere with heat transfer and block airflow over the cooling fins. Also, standard paint tends to flake off metal radiator tanks.

Eastwood Radiator Black aerosol spray is how to paint your car radiator quickly and effectively. This aluminum radiator paint is specially formulated to solve these problems and is heat resistant to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The durable enamel formula also resists under-hood chemicals and chips. Meanwhile, the satin finish offers a lower sheen than regular gloss that is more similar to the factory paints used on modern plastic tank radiators.

Visit the Eastwood Garage to learn more about why you should choose Eastwood heat-resistant radiator paint over standard spray paint, and how to paint a car radiator. One can covers six square feet; note that most radiators require two cans (which you can order at a discount). We offer lifetime technical support with DIY experts who can answer all your questions.

 

[Alaska Jim]

I know this tread is old and the original poster has probably found a paint solution, but I finally came across the can of radiator paint I was looking for. some how it ended up in an outside storage shed, instead of the shop. Anyway, I said that if I found it I would post it. The paint is by Krylon. the paint is called Hight Heat & Radiator. The # of the paint on the sticker with the bar code on the can is 1614 High Heat Black . I hope this will help someone in the future. sorry it took so long to find it. I need to remember to put things in there proper place I guess.

 

[51504bat]

My guess is that it refers to a household radiator not an automotive one. As such clogging the fins with paint isn't an issue as it is with an automotive radiator.

 

[Alaska Jim]

51504bat-- you may be correct, as there is a picture of a wood stove and an old style heat/steam radiator on the can.