I put a 350/350 Chev. in my '38 sedan. I'd like to use a
regular fan blade instead of an electric, but it looks like
there won't be enough room even with a short waterpump. Can
I move the radiator ahead without to much fabrication? Also,
will any later model radiator fit? Can I use the original one? The engine is as far back as it will go without cutting
the firewall.
Thanks, K.Stocker







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Keith Stocker

Tack:

On my '40 pickup, I visited Seattle Radiator and they took off the original tanks and put in a high efficiency modern core (under $200). The original tanks just used a floating system w/o a pressure cap. Seattle Radiator took the copper tanks and soldered strengthening baffles into the upper tank so that it could take the added pressure. They also took out the old Ford neck & installed a pressure style neck & cap. This is a reasonably priced solution & the pressure helps to keep the rad water from boiling out. Also AFCO makes aluminum radiators that are quite reasonable and superior coolers. They might make one for your '38.
As for the limited space, you might just have to use an electric fan. Those in the know say get a puller fan, as they are more effective.
I believe moving your radiator forward would be a lot of work as your front metal attaches to radiator supports. You could go to a local wrecking yard and look for an electric fan--getting the one that fits the space & draws the most electricity would be best "if" space allows. I got one for $15 that sucks a lot of air (an 80's Buick I seem to recall). Some of the aftermarket elec fans dont seem to hold up to daily use very well.
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In the land of the blind, the one-eyed is KING!

When my 40 Ford coupe was changed over to small block Chevrolet (283) in 1957 there was no such thing as Walker custom built radiators or their competitors. My 40 uses a stock 40 radiator with two outlets capped off. No pressure cap either.

Pressure caps raise the point of boil over by about 2 degrees per pound of pressure.....if I am wrong I am sure SOMEONE can clarify the degrees number. If you do not run over 212, it does not boil over anyway so I do not need it.

I use a stock 57 Chevrolet water pump, pulleys and 4 blade fan with no problems. I use a 195 Robert Shaw themostat. IT nevers overheats and I live in the hot, humid south (SC). BUT a 283 is a fairly easy engine to keep cool. I run only enough anti-freeze to protect it to 15 or 20 degrees F. from freezing up.

The size of a 57 Chevrolet radiator and the size of a 40 Ford radiator is very comparable.

There is on EBAY a new Modine radiator listed for 37,38, and 39 standard Fords. Brand new. It is for another application but the seller says it works well in a 38. You be the judge.

DISCLAIMER: ........ This is what works for ME. Without exact duplication of the vechicles and conditions listed above....... YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY.

DEUCE.......
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Same Wife, Same DEUCE Roadster, Same Job for over 20 years. Must be in a rut. AIN'T LIFE GRAND.....

Yes,i would like to use my original radiator being that it
is in good shape. But the problem is that the radiator will
have to move ahead about 6" for the fan to clear.The engine
is as far back as it will go without chopping up the firewall and the trans is too. You must have used a stick
trans back then which allowed the engine to sit lower and
farther back. I don't want to use an electric fan if at
all possible. Thanks for any input.
K Stocker










from the
--
Keith Stocker

My 40 does use a Wilcap adaptor to mate the 283 to the stock driveline. I put a 305 Chevy and a Turbo350 in my buddy's 40 sedan with a Chassis Engineering Kit and we still used the stock radiator until he could buy a new one w/ac condensor on it.

Do not know why yours is SO different but it is! GOOD LUCK !
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Same Wife, Same DEUCE Roadster, Same Job for over 20 years. Must be in a rut. AIN'T LIFE GRAND.....

MAYBE a 38 firewall is very different than a 40..... I do not know. The 40 Ford is the only fat Ford I have experience with........sorry.
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Same Wife, Same DEUCE Roadster, Same Job for over 20 years. Must be in a rut. AIN'T LIFE GRAND.....