MTFCA Forum

I have decided to add a little bling to my car and attach a brass "Ford" script and a small "1914" script to my radiator. There are two recommended ways of attaching the script. They say you can use brass wires to hold the script to the radiator or you can silver solder the brass script to bolts and run the bolts through the radiator. I was wondering if anyone had any advice or feedback on this issue.

Thanks...Bryan

If you go with the wire-on method, put a small, matchstick sized piece of hardwood on the back side of the radiator and attach your wire to that.

(An actual matchstick may not be strong enough to hold up over time. Maybe a piece of a kabob stick would be best.)

Adding support on the back side of the radiator is a good idea. I was concerned that you would be able to see the wires, but if the wire is made out of brass like the letters it should blend in. Has anyone used the silver solder method on bolts through the radiator? That one worries me because I don't know if you have to bend the fins on the radiator to get the bolts through.

When I did mine, I soldered brass wire sets onto the back of the brass script and ran the wires through the honeycomb radiator I had on the car. Worked well, but the above advice is good; use a small piece of wood for backing. Twisting the wire ends might damage fins.

I use 3mm {1/8"] stainless steel allthread and brass acorn nuts. One nut wound on to max depth on outer end, another on the inside. I make a small metal plate for the inside, backed with a glued on piece of inner tube rubber, to protect the radiator fins and maintain a modicum of tension in the assembly. Use loctite to help keep the inner nuts in place.

You can use stainless nuts to match a plated script.

Allan from down under.

I wired mine on with small brass wire that my wife uses in her art work to hold it while the silicone sealer set up that I put on the back (not a lot but enough to hold it), that way I don't have to worry about vibration and it can be easily removed.

Why do something that isn't correct in the first place?

bdtutton wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 10, 2024 1:06 pm

I have decided to add a little bling to my car and attach a brass "Ford" script and a small "1914" script to my radiator. There are two recommended ways of attaching the script. They say you can use brass wires to hold the script to the radiator or you can silver solder the brass script to bolts and run the bolts through the radiator. I was wondering if anyone had any advice or feedback on this issue.

Thanks...Bryan

Whatever you use I would sleeve it with a piece of neoprene tubing to prevent the wire/bolt from rubbing on the radiator fins. It may not be necessary at all but then....

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 11, 2024 11:31 am

Why do something that isn't correct in the first place?

Why did muscle car owners add Go Wings or Cragars?
Why do Jeep owners add big mud tires and led lights?
Why do people add bumper stickers to their cars?
Why do new home owners repaint & change fixtures?
Why do gun owners accessorize their toys?

BECAUSE THEY CAN AND WANT TO!

Here’s a thought: How about you leave people be? That’s sounds pretty “original” to me.

csnailnrun wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 11, 2024 2:08 pm

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 11, 2024 11:31 am

Why do something that isn't correct in the first place?

Why did muscle car owners add Go Wings or Cragars?
Why do Jeep owners add big mud tires and led lights?
Why do people add bumper stickers to their cars?
Why do new home owners repaint & change fixtures?
Why do gun owners accessorize their toys?

BECAUSE THEY CAN AND WANT TO!

Here’s a thought: How about you leave people be? That’s sounds pretty “original” to me.

Cragars aren't just for muscle cars.

In the 1960s, my great uncle put Cragar S/S wheels on his 1959 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.

I went with Allan's method. Drilled two small holes thru the brass script, put the threaded rod thru with the cap nuts. Only difference is I added a washer under the cap nuts on the inside of the radiator to protect the fins. It's been 20 years and no problems.