Today I spent some time trying to find the right look for my rad shell and my headlights. First thing I did was head to the local rad shop with my rad shell in tow. I had called him on Thursday asking about a 66 mustang rad. He had one in stock! So I asked him to hold it for me so I could make sure it was going to fit my shell. Long story short, it fit like it was made for it. He is even offered to relocate the filler tube for me all for around $240. Not bad for a 3 row copper rad
Then he went on to show me his 39 coupe, 38 2 door sedan, Lotus Esprire twin turbo v8 and other toys he had in the shop, I had to run away before I offered to buy the 38 2 door.
Anyway, with the general size in mind I got out the rad shell, some painters tape and some patience.
Here was the start, the shell is about 1/2 to high in this picture, it did not seem right to me:
So I moved it down and readjusted the tape: This one just seemed right to me so I left it, all the lines kind of flowed.
Once I got the rad shell in the right spot I started playing with head light location. I am using stock 7 inch Model A (I think) headlamps, they will be retrofitted with some halogens. These lights along with the rad shell are OEM parts, they are not perfect have some dings and scratches, but I figure they are 80 years old, they are allowed to have some character.
First attempt they were to low and to far apart.
To aid me in locating the headlights, I once again got out the tape to help me get the angles to flow, I wanted the headlights to be inline from the top of the tires, to the top of the rad shell. After an hour or so of tweaking I think I finally got the look I was after:
Once I got them in the right spot, I took some measurements, I will attempt to make the headlight stands myself so I can put them just where I want them.
Afterward the welder and I spent some time together, I did a lot of welding, a lot of destructive testing and finally found the sweet spots my machine likes.
All in all it was a pretty good day, while I did not do a lot of "work" I got a lot done.