VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 New Radiator

I an trying to find out what works best. on my 30 coupe, it seems I will have to replace the radiator. I have no plans of showing the car. Nice weekend rides with my wife is what I am looking for. My question is, should I replace with a honeycome radiator or use a modern core. Local shop says he can do the job using my top and bottom tank and mounting brackets for $500. Should I go this route or is there a good place to but a complete radiator from such as Brass Works. Will the modern core give much added cooling?

From what you describe and your needs I think the modern core would be fine. I don't know about increased cooling, but I think the honeycomb core is now around $1000.00 without installation labor. A friend just had his 32 recored locally with a modern core and it was about the same price you quoted.

I replaced the honeycomb in our 29 with a three core modern one. I changed the tanks myself and it cost $150. It works fine but I had to use a thermostat as it ran to cold.

Cottontop--I replaced the honeycomb core with a modern 3 core in 2003 and have driven my 31 several thousand miles and have never once experienced over heating.

hoppy

Is there another place other than Brass Works to buy a complete radiator?

Most radiator shops can put your tanks on a new core.
Al

[bleeped] Right!!!

hoppy

Well, after trying a number of things, I put in a new radiator and a new waterpump. The car runs cooler than it ever did. I should have done this to start with.

Yep. Those two items will sure make a difference in the cooling system.

That is great, but with the NEW radiator was that a new Honeycomb Original Style or a new recore Radiator Modern Style ??

Completely new radiator, modern style, from Brassworks. I am not into showing the car. I just want good functionality when my wife and I go for rides. Not having to always worry about overheating is great.

Nothing wrong with that...

Are you Happy with the Quality and the look ?? Do you have any picts would like to see what it looks like !!

i for one just couldn`t do a modern core in my 30.
having spent over 4k on the front end of my car what with new honeycomb rad. new motometer,wings and rad cap fog lights and rechrome work. to me its the frist thing people see when i`m going the road. i just had to do a honeycomb.

I am happy with the quality and the look. The quality and craftsmanship by Brassworks is great.

As far as getting the honeycome replacement, I guess that is up to the individual.

Get yourself a aftermarket stone guard and the stikky beaks will have to look in to see it.
I fooled around with a honeycomb radiater that I had made new for my '31 resto, only to find that their tooling was worn out which left very little room for water, that worked OK on the flat but was a shocker on hills, with my modern core the guage never moves once it gets to normal.

I do have a stone guard and from just a few feet away you can't tell the difference. On the couple of rides we have taken so far the temp. gauge just barely got to the normal range. I am very pleased with everything so far.

Took a 50 mile ride yesterday. Car ran cooler than it ever did. Temp. gauge right on the line between cold and normal. Might just be me, but the engine even soulded better.