Radiator support rods

Heard

Heard

Well-known member
Good Morning!

I bought some new stainless support rods for my '35 pickup a few years ago from Drake. I finally got ready to install them yesterday and discovered they are about 3 inches too long. The original rods are about 29 1/4 inches long. These Drake rods are way too long.

I'm not seeing any real choices from the usual suppliers.

Who has the correct ones?

Thanks,
Heard
 
OR


Take some from the middle and re-weld them!!!


AS a side note, I just bought a set from Speedway motors. They measure "about" 32-1/4" (32-1/2 maybe) long BUT the threads on the radiator end of them is like 2/3" in length so plenty there to trim off and still have what I needed for my 33. Not sure IF they are the same as Drakes were BUT......Until I can find some originals!!! They had black OR SS/chrome
 
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Not familiar with the pickups, but in 1935 there were two basic radiators used on the cars - one had a larger upper tank which extended further to the rear about 3" and the retaining rod bracket on the radiator was also back about the same amount which required the shorter rods. Another factor with the two styles was different firewall attaching brackets and corresponding different ends on the support rods themselves. The large tank style had "stove bolt" type square ends on the rod which slid into the firewall bracket. The long style rods were retained to a different style of firewall bracket using a nut, washers and rubber spacers. Hope this helps some. Interesting to see what's on your pickup if you want to post some pictures.
 
I got a set of those from Drake for my 36 coupe. Same problem as Heard had. I bought a split die and ran it down multiple times to make it have deep enough thread after I cut it off for length.
 
I remember that the original rods had the threads rolled into them and are very sought after. Newc
 
I also have a 35 wagon and I support what Randy said.. there are two different radiators.. at least for cars.
 
Well, not sure which radiator I have since it is from Brass Works, but the original rods fit correctly and are right at 29 1/4" long.

I got the new ones to work after cutting them off and adding to the threads.
 
The brassworks one has the "big top tank", the other 35 looks more "normal" like the width of the core.. therefore the two "prong" attachment point differs... the Brassworks would require a short rod, while the "normal" style would need something a couple of inches longer. I understand that at least for cars, Ford changed the radiator style mid-way through that year's production. Thus, two different radiators.
 
Regarding the passenger car radiator rods, Ford had an early 1935 (which was long), then "late" 1935 switched to a rod with rubber snubbers (same as used on exhaust hangers) on the cowl end, continuing the snubber design into early 1936 (with a shorter rod), then in "late" 1936 going back to the earlier design. Consult Don Cox's V8 Club 1935-36 book for more details and dates.


The reproduction rods are not compatible with the late 1935-early 1936 design.


Reproduction rods come in 3 flavors. 1928-31 at 31", 1932-36 at 31 inches (with 3-1/2" thread to assist with modification) and 32-3/4.


I compiled a list of radiator rod lengths some years ago from Ford chassis books available to me.


1928-31 26”
1932 30 1/4”
1933-34 Pass 31”
1933-34 PU 24 5/8” (presumed to be V8, i understand 4 cyl is different)
1935 Pass 32 3/4” (presumed to be early style)
1935-39 PU 29 1/2”
1936-38 P, 39 Std 29 1/2” (Presumed to be late 1936 style)


Hope this helps
 
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