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

Good evening all,

I have a 1930 Coupe and the honeycomb radiator came off an engine really clogged and corroded. Would you replace or go for a restoration. If you do a replace what would you order:

1. Would you order two (2) three (3) or four (4) rows?

2. Upper hole location - center, driver or passenger side?

3. Dummy Neck, Open neck or no neck e.g. filled shell

4. Overflow tank

Are you looking for one? Have one for sale? or Asking our opinion on whether to repair one you have? or use a new core? or ?

Do you have a new or restored radiator for sale?

Trying to decide whether or not to restore or replace and if replace what to order from Brassworks?

Are you going to use the original engine? If so then a stock radiator with new core is probably your best option. You can use a fin & tube or V-cell or honeycomb. All will provide enough cooling if kept clean. The V-cell and honeycomb will cool a bit better than the fin & tube. Fin & tube the least expensive of the three. Of course the honeycomb is the original style and should be considered if the car is to be judged but, is most expensive.

I agree....you should definitely replace your radiator.

I took the top and bottom tanks of my honey comb rad bought a three tube core from a local rad supplier installed tanks and then had to install a thermostat because it ran to cold in hot weather and now all is fine.
Cost of core about 150.
Al

If your rad is just clogged and has no other issues, you might try to fine an old school radiator shop still does hand rodding and repairs.
I found one here in Ct . and brought my '32 rad for a general cleaning/inspection. It turned out every tube was clogged hard. They remove the tanks, hand rodded it, used no chemicals, then pressured tested it and even spray painted it. For $150, I'm happy.

Hey Geraldo,

I just noticed this thread. You can take your radiator to Pankey's Radiator in Hayward. They can do whatever you need.

My '28 has a newer style core and he cleaned it for me. He also cleaned and sealed my gas tank.

I know of a couple of other folks who have been happy with his work.

Also, FYI, I made a radiator overflow tank for my '28. I'm in San Leandro, and you are welcome to come over and check it out.

Cheers, Dean

Just found out he is in calif the car is in NY state.

Life would be a lot easier if people when posting would anti up as much relevant info as possible, saves a lot of going around in circles......

mike lynch

I agree however in this post his question is regarding procedure and not WHERE to take his radiator. Sometimes I think we stray from the original question being asked and jump to answer the next one which has yet to be asked.