VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 32 radiator problem

I just found out my radiator is a leaky mess and needs a core or be replacement any help or suggestions or if someone has a good one would be appreciated. Thanks todd

If you want to stay with the original honeycomb core the Filling Station has those brand new.....but they are spendy.

You have four options. A local radiator shop should be able to recore your tanks with either of fin & tube (aka tubular), cellular (aka V-cell) or honeycomb (available from The Filling Station). They are listed in order of cost and also efficiency of cooling. In my opinion the fin & tube will provide adequite cooling but does not look good. The cellular looks much better and also is very efficient. It costs ~$100 more than the F&T. I have used several of them over the past 40 years and have been satisfied with all of them. The honeycomb is pricey but looks more correct and cools very well.

The fourth option is a replacement aluminum sold as a replacement for hot rods. Never used one but it should be good at cooling. I don't get excited about corrosion protection in systems with brass, copper, aluminum and cast iron. A good coolant will have the inhibitors and should do a good job protecting the aluminum radiator. Water only is not an option with that combination.

I had a local radiator shop replace my defective honeycomb core with a cellular core on my '31 and am very happy with it. No heating problem whatsoever.

Hi Todd I am not sure where in Iowa you are but I had Joel at Holems radiator in Des Moines but a modern core in my 30. Its a driver and not a show car, so I did not want to spend twice as much for the honeycomb core. Been on 4 VCCA tours since and had no problems.

I also have a modern core on my 1930 Sport Coupe. I functions perfectly. It doesn't look as well as the honeycomb, but I have an aftermarket stone guard. My son has the FS honeycomb on his 1930 four door and is very happy with it.

I am in cedar rapids and the shop is in Iowa city the restorer in me wants the honeycomb. What does the modern core look like?

The fin and tube is in most modern cars. The heater core for nearly all cars and trucks is cellular type. It was used in most vehicles from 1933 until at least the 60s. I am sure that the radiator shop has a few catalogs that might show the core design or the shop probably has some examples of each.

Thanks when I get home I will look at the F's core that would be my preference

Thanks he did suggest what you are saying . This just came up this morning and I told him I would get back to him after consulting the brain trust. Pardon my typing I'm doing this on my phone while in Chicago traffic and no I'm not driving

Todd are you aware that the Cedar Vally region VCCA meets at Duffys on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm. I drive over from Ames if the weather is good. Hope to see you there. Dens41

The answer is yes and no I remember now that you mention it. I worked there when I first moved there and even have to go there on monday to work on a 71 challenger rt they have. Hope to see you there Make sure you mention to Jon Bratton my name I went and picked up my 32 with him last spring.

Am I automatically a member of the cedar valley or is is separate?