Ok, thought I'd wait till all the dope was smoked then I'd throw in my take and try to clear the air.
The radiators for '47 thru '53 are the same. The original radiator had a hump or indent in the
lower tank for a hand crank to pass thru. As did the lower inner grill bar. So....the hand crank
option was a part of the Stovebolt until '54. The AD truck may not have come with a hand
crank as original equipment but it was an option to use one.
The closest to original repop radiators offered today come from U.S. Radiator out in CA. They
are very close to the original, short of some details embossed into the upper tank, and......the
lack of the indent in the lower tank for a crank to pass thru. That was a disappointment to
me when I had to replace my original radiator. I did use the hand crank during tune ups.
As Carl pointed out, if you are serious about using a hand crank, then the bumper bracket
should be installed.
As far as the comment about a Stovebolt not starting with the battery.....I'm totally stock,
216, 6v and all and have had the present Farm & Fleet battery in my '50 for 8 years. It starts
every time hot or cold first time over and I drive it throughout the winter day and night.
I have the original 6v dash radio on anytime I'm in the truck and also power a 12v inverter cube
for my tach and under dash Sony AM/FM/CD player. During the nasty weather, i.e., rain/snow/sleet
I don't take her out, so sometimes she may sit for a month or more. I don't use a battery maintainer
and have never had a starting problem in the 13 years I've been driving her.
If your battery is draining down after driving it for 45 mph for an hour , then you need to perform
some serious maintenance to your electrical system. And, if it's hard starting at any time, hot or
cold, a good tune up or possibly a rebuild is also needed.
These trucks were reliable back in the day and still are just as long as they are kept up.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
