Radiator Cover for 1927 Coupe

[BLB27]

I have looked in three supplier catalogs and have not found the shield that goes over the radiator. Are these available?

[ModelTWoods]

Only "hot rod" grill shells are currently being made to my knowledge, and I'm not sure, but most I've seen were for short pre-24, short, radiators. Tall radiator shells, frequently come up on EBAY auction, but most need replating at the least, and most need repair and replating. There is one on EBAY, right now, listed at $400.00 that looks like it only needs replating. Update : I don't see the $400.00 grill shell on EBAY right now. It might have been sold or removed. I have a 24 shell (with the thin bottom trim piece attached) available. It is steel, and not brass, and not plated. It might be to pitted to plate, but the pits would fill if
the shell were painted black.

[Mark Gregush]

1924/25 shells are not the same as 1926/27. The later shells have a taper to them to match the front of the wider hood. Even if you could find a tall radiator shell, chances are it would be for the 1924/25 cars, as most hot rods would run without the hood or just the top, want to show off the engine after all the money you paid someone else to do the work! LOL

[Allan]

With the introduction of the high radiator, the sides of the shell were splayed outwards at the back so they followed the line of the hood. I believed that the only difference in the high shells, other than the way the lacing was threaded, was the earlier ones were steel and the 26-7 nickel plated ones were brass. What other differences were there?
The narrow bottom strip was only found on the low shells on our Canadian sourced cars. The low shells have the sides square to the front panel, rather than being splayed out like the tall shells.
The reproduction steel shells supplied in the early 2000's were sold in two heights, as you would expect, but they never did fit a high radiator car because the sides were not splayed out to follow the hood lines. The Ford script was stamped rather more sharply than was original, so even a low reproduction shell was identifiable.
If i could post photos, I could show these differences.

Allan from down under.

[jiminbartow]

I will be listing three original 1926-‘27 tall brass radiator shells on eBay tonight. One is complete and without damage and the other two are incomplete to use for parts for repairing damage (such as dents or wear or damage to the lacing strip) to your otherwise good radiator. The complete one and one of the incomplete ones have been plated. The other incomplete one has had the plating removed and is polished brass. Jim Patrick

[ModelTWoods]

1924/25 shells are not the same as 1926/27. The later shells have a taper to them to match the front of the wider hood. Even if you could find a tall radiator shell, chances are it would be for the 1924/25 cars, as most hot rods would run without the hood or just the top, want to show off the engine after all the money you paid someone else to do the work! LOL

Mark, Excellent point. I knew that, but forgot the original poster was inquiring about a 26-27. (had a senior moment) Yes the 24-25 shells were not flared on the sides to match the wider 26-27 hood. They all were steel; not brass, and the lacing holes were rectangle; not round as most, if not all 26-27.

[Allan]

Are you sure the steel shells for 23-25 are not flared outwards at the back just like the 26-27 brass shells? They are on our Canadian sourced cars. Likewise, both types have come with either the rectangular slots or plain round holes for the hood lacing, the rectangular slots being far more prevalent on the brass 26-7 shells.
Our 23-25 T's have the taller radiator, with the dogleg at the back of the tin hood shelves, and the shell sides are angled to follow the sides of the hood the same as they are on the 26-7 T's.
If this is not the case with US cars, please ignore my previous advice that an easy way to tell a low from a high shell is the sides of the low shells are square on to the front panel.
Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.
Allan from down under.

[Kerry]

While you blokes debate the differences on what will and what wont, back in the day of what could be bought in the Ford parts books, Ford kept it simple, #3947C was the black shell for 1923/27 and the option of nickel #3947D 1926/7

[Allan]

Thanks Frank,
That seems to bear out what I believed was the case.

Allan from down under.