Re: 29 radiator core

Posted by DavidM On 2010/10/22 21:40:02

I would like to add my experiences with radiator cores. I have 2x1929 633's and a 1922 126. I restored each of them and the following are my comments on the cores,

1922 126. The core on this core was badly damaged so a new one was essential. In the interests of authenticity I fitted a reproduction honeycomb core. With hindsight I would not do this again. The honeycomb pattern available here in Australia at the time was a 5/16" hexagon which is bigger than the original and therefore has much less surface area. The result is the car tends to overheat in any adverse conditions.

1929 633 Roadster. The original core looked excellent, I took it to a radiator shop with instructions to replace the core with the most efficient modern core available. They checked it and called to say it was too good to replace, excellent flow rate and a few minor leaks which were easly fixed. I was persuaded to stay with the original core and have regretted it ever since. It also overheats under adverse conditions.

1929 633 Sedan, just finished. This time I had a new modern core fitted and this car runs cool all the time. The thermostat is set to open at 140 deg and the car runs at that temperature all the time. i know this temperature is too low and will be correcting it before its next outing.
So for what its worth as much as I like authenticity, if you plan on driving the cars in warm weather then a new modern core is the way to go, and remember that the tanks can be removed and the core rodded clean which can't be dome with the honeycomb core.
Finally, having a new core shaped to replace the original is no big problem its just costly because it takes extra time.