Early radiator trivia

[65swb45]

I was talking with 3 puppies a few weeks ago about the 20radiators I had to scrap to downsize out of my warehouse. I asked my radiator guy to save me some of the mounting brackets, because I still occasionally get commissioned to build period correct radiators.

The earliest radiators had a full saddle rather than just side brackets for starters.

 

[3_puppies]

shoot Mark, I still need to get back to you on those parts.

I did check my old rads and did find one with the embossed dealy on the top tank, never noticed it before. pics later.

 

[65swb45]

Perfect timing. I love this iPhone. At the warehouse moving parts.

The early radiators had cooling fins that stuck out past the cooling tubes, which increased their efficiency, but also increased their vulnerability.

The early cores were also notable for having staggered tubes, which allowed for more direct airflow.

I paid a small fortune to have my radiator guy replicate this exact core for my SWB restoration. OCD.

 

[65swb45]

Also, the earliest cores had an embossed top tank. There's a good pic of mine on my resto thread. Here are a few more examples from my stash.

 

[65swb45]

The two sides of the top tank also slope more gradually rather than being flat topped like the current offerings.

 

[3_puppies]

I was going to bring up the staggered tubes also.

You and that hi-tec gizmo are quicker than me at posting pics, that's what the top tank looks like on 1 of mine, the other doesn't have the emblem but still has the saddle strap.

 

[rainingagain]

Reviving an old thread on early radiator tech. Does anyone know when the switch over from the full saddle to the just side saddle style happened?

Was it with the 1968 model year and F145? Or later than that?

I know that any radiator new from Mr T is obviously the side saddle style but is listed for 1958-1984. And will fit those years.

 

[JackA]

My guess is 64 and early for the full saddle. I have only come across 2 in 25 years of Land Cruiser fun.

 

[Living in the Past]

My guess is 64 and early for the full saddle. I have only come across 2 in 25 years of Land Cruiser fun.

Thinking have more two right now. The FJ25 mounting bracket has a guide for the hand starting handle.

 

[65swb45]

If anyone needs a full saddle to make their restoration more authentic, I saved several saddles when I scrapped the radiators.

 

[peesalot]

Algazy has an iphone & uses it, the fuse has been lit.

 

[rainingagain]

My guess is 64 and early for the full saddle. I have only come across 2 in 25 years of Land Cruiser fun.

Ok, interesting. Mine was build in 6/66-7/66. I have a full saddle radiator but it doesn't have the logo stamped on the top.

I found this old post from @red66toy asking if his 65 with a full saddle radiator and logo is original and the consensus was yes: 1965 model year FJ40 radiator original? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1965-model-year-fj40-radiator-original.1247376/

Hmmm....

 

[rainingagain]

Thinking have more two right now. The FJ25 mounting bracket has a guide for the hand starting handle.

Do these have a different style saddle than the one in the original pic on this post?

 

[red66toy]

Ok, interesting. Mine was build in 6/66-7/66. I have a full saddle radiator but it doesn't have the logo stamped on the top.

View attachment 3360368

I found this old post from @red66toy asking if his 65 with a full saddle radiator and logo is original and the consensus was yes: 1965 model year FJ40 radiator original? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1965-model-year-fj40-radiator-original.1247376/

Hmmm....

Maybe it was repaired a long time ago so there was a factory looking top tank available?