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Radiator for 47 Hudson
  • wanderer23464yahoocom
    Posts: 49Hitchhiker
    I need a radiator for a 47 hudson pickup. I have one from a 46 super six. Dropped it off at the radiator shop for testing. He said it was leaking after he soaked it in some cleaning solution. Anyway he will repair it for $750. That is not in the budget right now. I am not even sure if it will cool my truck anyway as I have put in a Hornet 308 engine. Hopefully someone has one they will not need for considerably less than that. Thanks
  • Ken U-Tx
    Posts: 1,171Platinum Member
    Ask Doug Wildrick where he got the all aluminum radiator for Steve Traudt's 262 powered 1941Coupe. I am sure it cost much less than $700. Sounds like the radiator guy is taking you to the cleaners. A recoring job should be more than $450 or so maybe less.
    ST41rad1.jpg
    468 x 351 - 22K
    ST41rad2.jpg
    468 x 351 - 25K
    ST41rad3.jpg
    468 x 351 - 26K
  • faustmbfaustmb
    Posts: 1,116Platinum Member
    I had the same issue with my 47 truck. I bought a new Afco aluminum unit from Speedway for about $500. It is their 32 Chevy model. It has holes on the top, I made a small plate to use the original rod that connects to the firewall. I was very happy with the fit and quality of the unit. I'll look for a pic.

    My local shop quoted 400-500to recore mine.
  • Hudson GrandpaHudson Grandpa
    Posts: 265Gold Member
    I don't know if it will fit in your car, but I have a copper rad 3 core that you can have for 50.00 + shipping, but has to be completely recored. Came off my 54 Hornet 308. My other 4 core that I have in my car now was rodded out, repaired, painted for $75.00 $400.00 on this end for a complete recore. Got this new 4 core off my friends 54 parts car. I see by the pic you have a fan. I did also. When I went to the 4 core, no fan needed. Got one of those also for sale cheap. 6 volt.
  • faustmbfaustmb
    Posts: 1,116Platinum Member
    I was told Stepdown radiators would fit, but turns out you have to cut the inner fenders (a few inches per side) which I did not want to do.

    Afco #80145 for 32 Ford. I figure if it can cool a sbc it can cool a 308. Figures I didn't take pictures of the finished product...

    In the second picture you can see two slots on the top of the radiator. I made a simple plate to pick up the support rod from the firewall.

    This truck has a sbc, so I'm not sure how the lower radiator outlet lines up for a 308.

    Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

    Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
  • Tom Drew
    Posts: 133Expert Adviser
    I'm in the wrong business if a guy wants to charge you $750 to recore that radiator. It's difficult to spend more than that for the best quality new or a custom-built radiator!
  • oldhudsonsoldhudsons
    Posts: 1,760Platinum Member
    What you should use is the rad. out of a '41 to '47 8 cyl. model; as I recall the core is an inch thicker & will bolt right in.
    Also the steering out of same as it is heavier duty or has a different ratio than that that came on/with the 6 cyl. models of the same year.
    I'm not saying you can run right out & find one but that what you should use. Perhaps get a thicker core & used your old tanks?
  • faustmbfaustmb
    Posts: 1,116Platinum Member
    My tanks were good and the recore quote was $400 -&500. The guy really didn't want to do it, he was describing the amount of time he would have Into stripping and blasting the tanks.
    It is the cleanest solution as everything will fit and look like it should.
  • thesopsaxyahoocom
    Posts: 6Hitchhiker
    Ron Davis Radiator in Arizona will make an exact duplicate of a 41-47 8 cyl radiator.
    Radiator Inst..jpg
    800 x 600 - 861K
    Radiator Inst..jpg
    800 x 600 - 861K
  • thesopsaxyahoocom
    Posts: 6Hitchhiker
    dennis@rondavisradiators.com
  • Ol racerOl racer
    Posts: 1,688Platinum Member
    FYI
    Ive usually paid around $300-$350 (depending if moved Inlet/outlet) for a new Hi Effiency Core converted to modern pressure System in a Hudson radiator.

    Aluminum Cross flow radiators are Ideal but If on a budget suggest walking the Salvage Yard with a Tape Measure to find a similar size radiator then fabricate brackets...

    What ever you do, install a 3 Row Core with the same Sq Inches as a Step Down Hornet Radiator....
  • wanderer23464yahoocom
    Posts: 49Hitchhiker
    I saw a post once here from Jon B listing the exact size dimensions of the radiator. Cannot seem to find it know. Anyone know how to search for that post.