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Discussion Topic:
Broken lower radiator pan
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gary duff |
07-07-2012 @ 12:14 PM
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Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Oct 2009
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Kube I just completed a 2200 mile trip from Seattle to Yellowstone and back, in my 1940 Deluxe coupe. When I cleaned and checked out the car after the trip, I found the lower radiator pan broken near the right side bolt that mounts the pan and radiator. This car is a March 1940 production date. The pan is the early one, without the doubler at the bolt hole. I have mount bolts installed with the spring up. Any input as to what I need to do to correct this problem. Gary Duff
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kubes40 |
07-07-2012 @ 1:50 PM
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Senior
Posts: 3394
Joined: Oct 2009
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Hi Gary, If I understand correctly, it sounds as if you have the mounting hardware installed correctly. The bolt goes up through a flat washer, through the pan, the frame, a rubber pad, the radiator flange, the spring, a small washer and then the castile nut. I have seen these lower pans crack in the past. Simply stress and age of the metal... it does become brittle especially when there is any twisting forces applied. I have found it quite easy to weld these pans back together, grind and refinish as necessary.
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supereal |
07-07-2012 @ 2:02 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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C&G lists the radiator pan for your car as item# 91A-8240-B (800/266-0470). If the metal is fatigued, it may be better to replace it.
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Stroker |
07-07-2012 @ 4:17 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1460
Joined: Oct 2009
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I've had good luck through the years welding fatigue-cracked metal as long as you use an oxyacetylene torch (000 or 0000). Stick, TIG & MIG concentrate the heat too close to the crack, and the oxyacetylene torch method heats slower and spreads the heat away from the weld area. This tends to "normalize" the surrounding metal and remove accumulated stresses. You can also find incipient cracks that are not normally visible by "playing" the torch around suspect areas which will reveal "invisible cracks" as one side of the crack area will become incandescent before the other. I'll admit, I'd rather weld than spend money on repop pieces. To each his own.
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gary duff |
07-09-2012 @ 10:21 AM
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Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks Kube Supereal Stroker It looks like I had the radiator mounting bolts installed correctly. Might be able to get the late production pan with yhe doubler, from a local club member. Thanks for the input. Gary
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