Does anyone have any photos or parts diagrams of how the radiator mounts to the front cross member? All my trucks had the doghouses removed when I got them. Jim Carter and others sell the rubber spacer but nothing else.. bolts, springs etc. The springs from the Big truck are all I have so do I need to reuse those for my 39 1/2 ton GMC? Or did the smaller trucks not have these. I've attached photos of my big truck.
Any suggestions for what springs to use? It was suggested that valve springs might be used for this application, but I am hoping that someone has a specific part number or other description of a spring that they have found appropriate. Since I don't have any used valve springs sitting around, I will have to purchase something for my '40 1/2 ton from somewhere.
Thanks! Nick
Nick 1940 KC Model 1/2 Ton Pickup Project (with '37-'39 Bed and what we think is a '42-'46 Frame) Taos, New Mexico
Either one of these two options should work. Someone long ago suggested these. They worked out fine. Note that the prices shown might be different now. When I bought the ones used they were on an end cap at the NAPA dealer.
Nick, I used valve springs and retainers on my 39 Chevy from an 80 horse Corvair engine (small and just right). I live in Las Cruces and have a shed full of Corvair parts. Should be a way to get some to you (free), However I'm leaving town for the next few weeks. If interested, get hold of me when I'm back in mid-September.
Nick, I'll see if I can measure my springs from my 40 GMC and maybe McMaster Carr will have a comparable. Not sure how to measure spring tension though.
Springs are measured in pounds per inch of compression (or tension). If you have a bathroom scale and some weights to put on top, compress it till you get an inch of length change. You'll need to keep the weights from falling off, though. You might be able to just compress the spring by hand and read the scale on the fly. There are tools to measure valve spring compression, but they're kind of pricey.
[on edit] Here's a listing from the 1929-1954 Master Parts Catalog for the radiator support springs. It has some dimensions that might help. They sold for the princely sum of 13 cents each in 1954.
Last edited by klhansen; 08/22/202412:24 AM.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
