Part 7.3- Radiator Extreme Makeover

I mentioned in an earlier post that my front cross member looked like someone tried to jack the car up with it. Well the radiator that is directly above it took a beating from that as well. After many hours of tedious work, trying to straighten all of the fins, I finally threw in the towel and ordered a new radiator.

This is the best I could make the old one look
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...dRadiator1.JPG

The new one is shorter, wider, and features a built in shroud with dual Spal fans
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...wRadiator1.jpg

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...wRadiator3.jpg

Here is a picture of the two together to compare
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...dRadiator2.jpg

I fabricated a pair of brackets for the bottom to sit in
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...rBrackets1.jpg

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...rBrackets2.jpg

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...rBrackets3.jpg

This picture shows the new radiator support. I have highlighted the area to show how much the support was moved forward.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...orSupport5.jpg

This picture shows the radiator installed into the new front cross member. The area circled in red shows the stabilizer bar mounting location that I had to move back to clear the fans. The stabilizer bar that my car uses is a straight bar with clamp on arms that I can modify to work in this new location.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...Installed1.jpg

Some pictures from the engine compartment.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...Installed2.jpg

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...Installed3.jpg

Stabilizer bar clearance.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...Installed4.jpg

To be continued…

Rod that looks great!
Whos radiator is it and do you mind me asking how much that set up was with the fans and shroud?
That should cool any motor on any day.

Rod that does look really great. Ditto Brent on the radiator. You have done some really innovative things with the car. Hope we get to see it up close and personal some day

Ralph

Ya Rod, you need to bring this one to a Homecoming once it is finished;)!

Looks really good.

Brent- I ordered it from Ron Davis Radiators in Glendale Arizona. Heres a link http://www.rondavisradiators.com/ . I had them send wiring harnesses for both fans with relays and temp switch. Just under 800 delivered to my door.

Thank you for the info.

Brent- If you have'nt checked yet, Ron Davis makes one specifically for early Mustangs (is'nt that your current project?)

Rod,

Nice Work!!

That should cool anything even in hot CA weather!!

Are you still going to run the front pusher fans ...... for show only?

Jeff - Your thinking like me, I already had them in there to see how they fit.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...PusherFans.JPG

Only problem I see is the bottom outlet is on the passenger side and not the drivers side. Wont work on a Ford engine!!!

on small block ford you can get water pumps with driver side or passenger side inlet for the water pump.hope this helps .garcia

If you looked at this picture of my engine you would conclude that I made a mistake. the pump inlet is clearly on the drivers side.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...orandtrans.JPG

That pump however blocked my timing indicator from view as it is also on the drivers side. The correct pump is now on with the inlet on the passenger side, this photo shows the new pump

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...epumpinlet.JPG

I got around to finishing the radiator project today, I had to build a top bracket to attach to the body. A piece of aluminum angle worked nicely.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...opbracket1.JPG

I added some rubber grommets with metal inserts
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...opbracket2.JPG

I attached some 3/8” T-nuts to the body on the front side of the hood hinge support
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...opbracket3.JPG

and bolted the radiator in
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...opbracket4.JPG

to be continued…

Looks great Rod!

:D :D :D :D

Nice work!

Rod,

Looking really good! You should have a full weekend comparing notes with everyone at Homecoming next week. Make sure someone gets you over to Fibber's before you head back home :D