Radiator Heights
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Topic author - Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:57 pm
- First Name: Tom
- Last Name: Stephens
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Parts to build a Speedster
- Location: Arnold, CA
Radiator Heights
I'm trying to find the height dimension from the top of the crank handle (where it goes into the motor in front) to the top of the radiator shell (not including the filler neck) for the 1915-16, 1917-23, and 1924-25 radiators.
I would appreciate it if those who have those year radiators could give me some actual measurements off of your cars.
Thanks!
Tom
I would appreciate it if those who have those year radiators could give me some actual measurements off of your cars.
Thanks!
Tom
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- Posts: 7237
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Radiator Heights
From the top of the crank handle to the top of the shell on my 23 is 23½". For 24 and later you can add about an inch to that. I have the radiator off my 15, so I can't help on that one.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Gregush
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
- Location: Portland Or
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Radiator Heights
What are you trying to figure out? 1917-23 23-5/8" and 1924-25 25-1/4" These are approx. As you can see there is different measurements for different cars.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup

1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup
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Topic author - Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:57 pm
- First Name: Tom
- Last Name: Stephens
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Parts to build a Speedster
- Location: Arnold, CA
Re: Radiator Heights
Thanks Steve!
Mark, I am trying to figure out how much lower the '15-'16 radiators are than the '17-'25s. You both have done well on those last years, now I hope someone can chime in with the '15-'16s.
In all the threads I found on radiator measurements, where to measure from at the bottom of the radiators caused many differences. I thought if I can use the fixed top of the crank handle (where it goes into the motor in front), I would get less variation from car to car.
Tom
Mark, I am trying to figure out how much lower the '15-'16 radiators are than the '17-'25s. You both have done well on those last years, now I hope someone can chime in with the '15-'16s.
In all the threads I found on radiator measurements, where to measure from at the bottom of the radiators caused many differences. I thought if I can use the fixed top of the crank handle (where it goes into the motor in front), I would get less variation from car to car.
Tom
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- Posts: 200
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:49 pm
- First Name: Christopher
- Last Name: Instness
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 runabout, T speedster
- Location: Roseville, Ca
Re: Radiator Heights
I've got 21 3/8th in my 1915.
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Topic author - Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:57 pm
- First Name: Tom
- Last Name: Stephens
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Parts to build a Speedster
- Location: Arnold, CA
Re: Radiator Heights
Chris, is yours a black (later style) or brass radiator?
Tom
Tom
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Re: Radiator Heights
15 would be brass.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup

1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup
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Topic author - Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:57 pm
- First Name: Tom
- Last Name: Stephens
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Parts to build a Speedster
- Location: Arnold, CA
Re: Radiator Heights
Mark,
Per Chris's avatar, he might have a '15 motor, but that speedster has a black radiator.
Tom
Per Chris's avatar, he might have a '15 motor, but that speedster has a black radiator.
Tom
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Re: Radiator Heights
21+" sounds about right for a brass radiator. You will note the difference between the number I gave for the low black radiator(17-23) and that number. The 15 to about 18, the radiator sat on leather pads only under the mounting ears. Then from about 18 up there were springs in cups in the mounting ears. Depending the crush of the springs, the measurements can vary.
I would think a better measurement would be from the top of the frame rails up which would be a little more hard to get with the shell in place. Chris list both a 1915 and a speedster in his profile and the avatar shows the speedster from the rear.
I would think a better measurement would be from the top of the frame rails up which would be a little more hard to get with the shell in place. Chris list both a 1915 and a speedster in his profile and the avatar shows the speedster from the rear.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup

1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup
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- Posts: 200
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:49 pm
- First Name: Christopher
- Last Name: Instness
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 runabout, T speedster
- Location: Roseville, Ca
Re: Radiator Heights
My 15 is a brass radiator.
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- Posts: 200
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:49 pm
- First Name: Christopher
- Last Name: Instness
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 runabout, T speedster
- Location: Roseville, Ca
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Topic author - Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:57 pm
- First Name: Tom
- Last Name: Stephens
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Parts to build a Speedster
- Location: Arnold, CA
Re: Radiator Heights
Thanks guys, EXCELLENT! I keep seeing '15 speedsters and they always look a lot lower than the black radiator ones. I had no idea that the brass radiators were THAT much lower. Positive proof.
I appreciate the info!
Tom
I appreciate the info!
Tom
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Topic author - Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:57 pm
- First Name: Tom
- Last Name: Stephens
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Parts to build a Speedster
- Location: Arnold, CA
Re: Radiator Heights
Chris, I sent you a PM.
Tom
Tom
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- Location: Portland Or
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Radiator Heights
Also having a dropped front axle lowers the front too. Many are setup that way when it comes to speedsters.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup

1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup
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Topic author - Posts: 36
- Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:57 pm
- First Name: Tom
- Last Name: Stephens
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Parts to build a Speedster
- Location: Arnold, CA
Re: Radiator Heights
Mark,
Yes, what you said
Check your PMs too.
Tom
Yes, what you said

Check your PMs too.
Tom