Radiator
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 576
Likes: 9
From: Rockford, IL
Does it have to be brass? I know LMC offers a new radiator for your truck. There are also several members on the site that have had success mounting radiators from other applications. I know one guy here in town that used an aluminum four core out of a nissan fork truck in his Chevy. Stick around and I'm sure more answers will come. While you're at it, why don't you tell us a little about yourself. Good luck, John
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Estevan, Sask. Canada
Trending Topics
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
The radiator is brass...or is it copper? I never heard of any Ford using a brass radiator core. The old Model T's 1908-1915 had brass radiator shells, but every Ford radiator was copper till the late 1980's.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, Georgia
Bill,
In fact, all pre-PTR (Plastic Tank Radiators) that soldered together had copper/brass cores with brass tanks. Some PTR's use aluminum cores while others use copper/brass. The tubes (Water passages) of a copper/brass core are brass, coated with solder, and the cooling fins are copper. The solder coating is what bonds the tubes to the fins, when the core is baked, for heat transfer. I do believe that some very old cores were all brass.
Not trying to be a know-it-all, but I have been in the radiator business since 1965...
In fact, all pre-PTR (Plastic Tank Radiators) that soldered together had copper/brass cores with brass tanks. Some PTR's use aluminum cores while others use copper/brass. The tubes (Water passages) of a copper/brass core are brass, coated with solder, and the cooling fins are copper. The solder coating is what bonds the tubes to the fins, when the core is baked, for heat transfer. I do believe that some very old cores were all brass.
Not trying to be a know-it-all, but I have been in the radiator business since 1965...
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by captradiator
Bill,
In fact, all pre-PTR (Plastic Tank Radiators) that soldered together had copper/brass cores with brass tanks. Some PTR's use aluminum cores while others use copper/brass. The tubes (Water passages) of a copper/brass core are brass, coated with solder, and the cooling fins are copper. The solder coating is what bonds the tubes to the fins, when the core is baked, for heat transfer. I do believe that some very old cores were all brass.
Not trying to be a know-it-all, but I have been in the radiator business since 1965...
In fact, all pre-PTR (Plastic Tank Radiators) that soldered together had copper/brass cores with brass tanks. Some PTR's use aluminum cores while others use copper/brass. The tubes (Water passages) of a copper/brass core are brass, coated with solder, and the cooling fins are copper. The solder coating is what bonds the tubes to the fins, when the core is baked, for heat transfer. I do believe that some very old cores were all brass.
Not trying to be a know-it-all, but I have been in the radiator business since 1965...
That's what I like about this site--can always pick up stuff you don't know.
Tim
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by captradiator
Bill,
In fact, all pre-PTR (Plastic Tank Radiators) that soldered together had copper/brass cores with brass tanks. Some PTR's use aluminum cores while others use copper/brass. The tubes (Water passages) of a copper/brass core are brass, coated with solder, and the cooling fins are copper. The solder coating is what bonds the tubes to the fins, when the core is baked, for heat transfer. I do believe that some very old cores were all brass.
Not trying to be a know-it-all, but I have been in the radiator business since 1965...
In fact, all pre-PTR (Plastic Tank Radiators) that soldered together had copper/brass cores with brass tanks. Some PTR's use aluminum cores while others use copper/brass. The tubes (Water passages) of a copper/brass core are brass, coated with solder, and the cooling fins are copper. The solder coating is what bonds the tubes to the fins, when the core is baked, for heat transfer. I do believe that some very old cores were all brass.
Not trying to be a know-it-all, but I have been in the radiator business since 1965...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs, FL
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Thanks all....except perhaps the gentlemen with gas. He seems to have way to much time on his hands....or nose....whichever.
Now to the point of my thread. The radiator in my F1 looks brass. It could be copper & brass I don't know. I think it could also be repaired and I will do that asap. In the meantime if I could just buy a new copper/brass radiator that I can replace it with that would be wonderful. I checked out the (Be Cool) link and all they seem to have is Mopar/Bowtie. Not that that's a bad thing in fact very cool for Mopar/Bowtie fans.
So I guess it's back to my original question. Where can a man buy a "New" "Shiney" (Brass/Copper) radiator for a 1949 Ford- F1 pick-up/239 flathead? Like the original?
Again, Thanks for all the input. I've learned everything one needs to know about Ford radiators "except".... where to buy one.
Now to the point of my thread. The radiator in my F1 looks brass. It could be copper & brass I don't know. I think it could also be repaired and I will do that asap. In the meantime if I could just buy a new copper/brass radiator that I can replace it with that would be wonderful. I checked out the (Be Cool) link and all they seem to have is Mopar/Bowtie. Not that that's a bad thing in fact very cool for Mopar/Bowtie fans.
So I guess it's back to my original question. Where can a man buy a "New" "Shiney" (Brass/Copper) radiator for a 1949 Ford- F1 pick-up/239 flathead? Like the original?
Again, Thanks for all the input. I've learned everything one needs to know about Ford radiators "except".... where to buy one.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Hudson, OH