John ---I recently read an AD for a brand new aluminum radiator that is manufactured specifically for Hornets. I believe the price is in the $400 range. I believe I saw it on ebay. But it might of been on this site ----try performing a "search" for "Hornet Radiator."

Hi, John. I installed a Champion CC889 radiator in my '51 Pacemaker this summer after having rebuilt the engine over the winter. It's all aluminum, 3 row core, and it's about as physically big as could be fit in the hole!! I did have to make a couple minor adjustments to make it work: 1) cut down one of the brackets on either side (the grill side) about 1" each to get it into the hole, 2) pick up a radiator hose adapter at NAPA for the lower radiator hose (1.5" at the water pump, 1.75" into the radiator) and 3) rig some mounting brackets to secure the top. The bottom of the radiator kinda went down into the hole and just sits there, wedged in firmly (I used some thin rubber sheeting to keep it from wearing). I drove the car from New Mexico to Boston and back this past August, and never ran hot! The website is currently listing them at $215 (plus shipping, probably), and they're quite well made -- have also installed a Champion in a '51 Studebaker and a '53 Kaiser with no issues between the three of them to date!

https://www.championradiators.com/product/CC889

Good luck whether you go this route or a different one, but I've been very pleased with mine so far! (Tip: it comes with a 13 lb radiator cap. DO NOT use that! I got a 7 lb one from a parts store and it does just fine with that, with significantly less stress on my heater core!!)

ROBERT, I LOOKED ON KEN CATES HUDSON RESTORATION RESOURCES AND FOUND SEVERAL AVENUES TO TAKE. THANKS FOR GETTING BACK.
JOHN

Radiators (49-56 Hudson)
Interchangeable with:
42-52 Buick
42-48 Cadillac
42-54 Chevrolet
42-54 Chrysler & DeSoto
42-54 Dodge
52-53 Henry
47-55 Kaiser
42-48 Lincoln
42-56 Nash
41-54 Oldsmobile
42-54 Plymouth
41-54 Pontiac
50-55 Rambler
51-55 Studebaker
Hudson Swaps Manual [url=www.hudsonrestoration1948-54.com]www.hudsonrestoration1948-54.com[/url]

Radiator
GODAN/GDI 433889 Autozone
70's Dodge pickup with 360 motor Side mountings must be trimmed.
H-E-T Club Southern California Chapter Newsletter February 2018 [url=www.socalhet.org]www.socalhet.org[/url]

Radiator
Dodge 76 and up Dodge full size van V8 motor Direct fit
H-E-T Club Southern California Chapter Newsletter February 2018

Radiator (Reproduction)
Hudson, Essex, Terraplane Open Forum
Brassworks [url= http://www.thebrassworks.net ]http://www.thebrassworks.net[/url]

Radiator (aluminum, [b][color=red]Does Not Fit Correctly Due to Center Inlet[/color][/b])
H4854BK Auto City Classics
Alternative part# SL-284-AT-HUD for aluminum finish. Listed number is for black finish. Both part#s are aluminum. Not totally stock appearance (transmission cooler, overflow)
Hudson, Essex, Terraplane Open Forum [url= https://forum.hetclub.org/ ]https://forum.hetclub.org/[/url]
Auto City Classics [url=www.autocityclassic.com/radiators/]www.autocityclassic.com/radiators/[/url]

Radiator (aluminum)
HUD 3401 Brice Thomas Radiator
2-core model
Often available through ebay
Can be ordered in black.
Overflow tube can be ordered to mimic original.
Hudson, Essex, Terraplane Open Forum
Brice Thomas Radiator [url= https://cgj.com/ ]https://cgj.com/[/url]

Radiator (aluminum)
Honda 1995 and up Honda Passport V6 motor
No mounting brackets, swap old brackets over.
H-E-T Club Southern California Chapter Newsletter February 2018

Hi Christopher,
thanks for the many suggestions. I should have researched it harder and not panic with a may-day out to our members.
thanks again
john schulien

No problem. I collected the info over the last couple of years in case I ended up in a similar situation.

Now in the same boat. Shut the car off and streams of coolant started shooting out of the core. "Stop-leak" didn't help. The core is shot and I am trying to decide between attempting to re-core or BTR. This is why I try to keep an updated spreadsheet of compatible parts for my '51.

[quote="Christopher Chancellor" post=25330]Now in the same boat. Shut the car off and streams of coolant started shooting out of the core. "Stop-leak" didn't help. The core is shot and I am trying to decide between attempting to re-core or BTR. This is why I try to keep an updated spreadsheet of compatible parts for my '51.

Just wanted to let you know, in your first response to OP you linked to several threads about using late '70's Dodge truck radiators (for 360s) -- that's the application for the Champion radiator I linked to in my response. I suspect they're cheaper than re-coring the old one, fwiw.

Also, although your list includes using Kaiser radiators for Hudsons, they're a little smaller (I'm sure you can get them to mount, but you can fit more radiator in the Hudson.) The Kaiser core is the same as the radiator for the early '50's Chevy 6 cylinder sedans, which Champion also makes, and which I also bought and installed in my '53 Manhattan. 🙂

Good luck whichever way you go!

Good to know! I cleaned up my list, only excluding what you mentioned since there is no point in repeating on the same thread.

Ken Ufheil appears to recommend the Brice Thomas Radiator. I have found his recommendations have worked really well in the desert climate of SE NM (such as the Royal Purple 75W-140 gear oil for the transmission and differential). I contacted BTR and discovered that their model is a drop-in replacement, and not only can they paint the aluminum radiator black, but are also willing to replicate the long overflow tube. Total price shipped, with the modifications, is about $600. I am trying to keep the engine bay original in appearance (even when I cheat a bit with the straight-8 air cleaner and "tweaked" '54 fan). I gave up trying to find a cover I liked for the battery.

Chris, thought I had about all I could add to my '53 but I sure do not recognize the red, yellow, and green bottles you have on the left rear side !
What are those I am missing ?
ALSO, I have an excellent aluminum radiator, it is a Griffin; built better, patterned after original, and more expensive.
Tks~~~

Thank you for the info.

The bottles are a "battery tender". They would have been filled with sulfuric acid to recharge the battery via rubber lines through the vents as it was consumed. Not a great plan because of the potential damage, but today I get several questions per car show regarding them. Of course, I never fill them. They come up for sale occasionally.

The solenoid gas cap I have on my car is even more unusual. The button under the dash. When pressed the cap flips open with a noticeable "clunk".

Chris>> sent PM

Cool!

Thank you.

Another unique add-on is the spare tire extension that places the schrader valve outside the trunk so that the spare pressure can be checked without opening the trunk. However, the most uniquely optioned Stepdown that I have ever see passed through Wildrick's: [video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX64Xbzm_w0 [/video]

Chris

I already have one air valve under the rear bumper: for the rear air shocks I have. I carry a portable air compressor so I don't worry about the spare tire pressure.
HOWEVER, we are going off topic too far ! I sent you a PM on this tangent.