1914 1915 radiator

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greenacres36
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1914 1915 radiator

Post by greenacres36 » Tue Apr 13, 2021 1:20 pm

I’m still fairly new with model Ts. I just purchased a 1915 roadster. I’m probably going to need to put a radiator on it as it has the original round tube on it. It’s not in the greatest shape and it probably leaks. I haven’t put water in it yet as the car has been sitting idle for About 49 years. Hard to believe I put gas in it and it started but it did. I can get a radiator for a 1914 today but the question is will it fit and will it look completely odd on my car. It’s never going to be a show car just a driver.

I could also get a 1915 radiator but it’s a round tube. I live in central Ohio and sometimes he gets pretty warm in the summer. How are the new brass work radiators? Do the round tube radiators cool better than the old original Fords? Do you think I would be disappointed if I purchase a round tube. The reason I ask is because I like the looks of the round two radiators.


Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

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George House
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Re: 1914 1915 radiator

Post by George House » Tue Apr 13, 2021 1:35 pm

Well I live in south central Texas and I’m very happy with my Brassworks round tube radiator. That includes slow moving July 4th parades. And a ‘14 radiator is the same as a ‘15.
I don’t know why I turned out this way. My parents were decent people 🤪

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KWTownsend
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Re: 1914 1915 radiator

Post by KWTownsend » Tue Apr 13, 2021 1:40 pm

The 1914 radiator will have the gas line crossover pipe with T. The 1915 radiator will have a tube for the electric headlight wiring and holes for the wiring in the side panels.
I love my flat tube radiator. You have to look closely to see that it is not round tube.

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Steve Jelf
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Re: 1914 1915 radiator

Post by Steve Jelf » Tue Apr 13, 2021 2:16 pm

It’s not in the greatest shape and it probably leaks.

Does that mean the tank and sides are all banged up or broken, or is it just the core that looks bad? If the outside condition is OK, I would first find out whether a replacement is really needed. First, find out if it holds water. If it doesn't leak, or if it has a minor leak, take it for a half hour test drive that includes some hill climbing. Remember to advance the timing and adjust the carburetor for best running. If it does make it through the test drive without boiling, and if it doesn't look bad, I would have a good radiator shop fix the leak(s) and call it good.

But if it's cleaned out and doesn't leak and still doesn't cool sufficiently, a century of vibration has caused the fins to separate from the tubes so it can't radiate the way it should. That's when it's time for a replacement. But that doesn't necessarily mean a new radiator. Most people just buy a new Brassworks without a second thought, but I march to a different drummer. I wanted to keep the original look (no, the new ones are not the same), and had it recored. This kept the original look and had the additional benefit of saving me a few Benjamins.

Either the 1914 or 1915 will fit you car. If your present radiator is so bad that it needs to go, and the 1914 and the 1915 look about the same, I would go with the latter. As Keith says, they're not exactly the same, for the reasons he mentioned. But whichever you choose, it's probably no longer on a car because it no longer radiates. Then you recore. For a non-show driver I would go with flat tubes, but some show cars with round tubes are driven a lot on tours and don't overheat.

Warning: don't let a shop pressure test a Model T radiator. It's not built for pressure.
Last edited by Steve Jelf on Tue Apr 13, 2021 2:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
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Rich Eagle
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Re: 1914 1915 radiator

Post by Rich Eagle » Tue Apr 13, 2021 2:19 pm

I would at least put water in it and see how bad it is. One of the best early radiators I have looked bad and was $15 at a swap meet. You never know.
Rich
When did I do that?


Topic author
greenacres36
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Re: 1914 1915 radiator

Post by greenacres36 » Tue Apr 13, 2021 8:34 pm

The fins are all coming loose and literally falling out. Probably not going to cool too good.

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Steve Jelf
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Re: 1914 1915 radiator

Post by Steve Jelf » Tue Apr 13, 2021 11:53 pm

If that's all that's wrong with it, if the rest of it is OK, I'd say recore.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
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Original Smith
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Re: 1914 1915 radiator

Post by Original Smith » Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:47 am

14 and 15 radiators will interchange, but are not the same as Keith pointed out. A 15 radiator uses a radiator round tube bent to a slight V for the head light wire. I've also noted on two different 15 radiators, the factory moved the priming wire hole down, and slightly to the left. Why is anyones guess. Sometime in 1914, Ford stopped using the soldered on patent plate, and began stamping that plate from the inside for the serial number.

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