Radiator support rods question

RalphM

RalphM

Well-known member
So I see all these replacement stainless steel radiator rods advertised as 33 inches long. When I measure my 35 radiator to firewall with radiator at the correct angle the rod should only be 29 inches long. What gives?
 
You'll probably have an extra 4" of the threaded rod to play around with or cut off. Probably fits different models. Jack E/NJ
 
I’ve tried cutting off and rethreading the stainless rods in the past, with poor results. Ended up taking a pair to a machinist for a $$, he did them right.
Just can’t imagine why you can’t find them in the correct length. Even plain steel ones.
 
bought some for my 36, too long and I had to buy a set of split dies to rethread the stainless
took a couple of passes to get decent threads cut
 
Buy a set of Model A mild steel rods from Brattons, cut them in half and weld in a length of 5/16" rod to get the length you want. Clean the welds up in a lathe, paint them black and you're good to go.
 
RalphM said:
So I see all these replacement stainless steel radiator rods advertised as 33 inches long. When I measure my 35 radiator to firewall with radiator at the correct angle the rod should only be 29 inches long. What gives?
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Different lengths and styles were used depending on which of the 2 styles of radiators and which type of mounting at firewall was used. Sounds like you have the early 35 style that had the large top tank. There was a chart posted sometime in the past - I'll see if I can find it.
 
There are three different length radiator rods for 35

Early large tank radiator 48-8133 is 28 1/2"
The small tank radiator 48-8133-AR is 32 3/4"
Late small tank radiator 48-8133-B is 31 3/4"
 
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What is the correct length for a '37 radiator? I am not sure the ones I have give the correct tilt.
 
As previously indicated, there were different styles and lengths of radiator rods in 1935. The size of the top tank on the radiator dictated the length of the rod and the firewall bracket determined the style of rod. Here are some images to help explain things.
 

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I have the early style brackets, car made December 1934, I did have the small tank radiator, but it was damaged severely. I replaced it with the large tank style. So the rods that were on it no longer fit.
I was just hoping to find a source so I didn’t have to go through all that fabrication that I did last time.
I always tell people that my AV8 support rods cost me $300, and by the time I screwed up two sets, and took a third to a machinist, it did!
 
Leave the nut on when cutting a threaded bolt (etc) down. Once cut, remove the nut. 99% of the time the nut will go back on. Little file work to clean it up.


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