55.2-59 Radiator support and Hood Seal

[ses427]

My 1955 GMC 2nd series 100 \has a flat 1" wide seal that is mounted to the top of the radiator support. It is pretty worn out but looks like it might have provided a seal between the support and the hood. Cannot find any reference to whether this is original or if someone was trying to deal with a cooling issue.

If it was original, any idea where to get a replacement? Thanks.

[MiraclePieCo]

I'm not knowledgeable about that year of trucks but since nobody has answered yet I'll speak up just so you don't think you're being ignored!

I looked in my parts catalogs and couldn't find a radiator support upper seal. The fact that no one else has answered also implies that they've probably never heard of it either. Your speculation that someone added it to prevent air from bypassing the radiator may be correct.

[_Ogre]

a picture would be worth a 1000 words here
it might be something all of us have

[Russell Ashley]

If you don't find the exact part search on Metro Molded Products and browse their catalog. You might find something like what you are looking for. They make rubber parts that are sold under many different brand names.

[mr48chev]

If all the correct panels are in place is air coming though the main grill and bypassing the radiator and issue?

One issue I have seen on a rig is where someone left panel (s) out on a rig he had and at road speed the air went over/around the radiator rather than through it. At low speeds or an idle the fan pulled air though the radiator and it cooled as it should but at speed the air took the easy route.

That wasn't the same guy who took a hole saw to the latch panel in front of his radiator on his AD truck in the early 80's though. He had punched neat rows holes in the panel and thought he had cut a fat hog doing it until one of the old timers at the show explained that a good portion of the air entering the grill was now going over the radiator rather than through it and his "cooling holes" as he was telling someone at the time didn't help with cooling.

[G&R's57GMC]

Looking at my '57 GMC the "seal" doesn't touch the hood it seems to act as an anti cut yourself on the sharp sheet metal device .

Now, that's not to say it's correct after all its been 63 years since it left the factory . So my guess is that GM had a larger seal that did touch the hood .

Perhaps something like this maybe larger ...

[G&R's57GMC]

I'll say this about the GMC it sure has a robust cooling system compared to the Chevy .

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

I'll say this about the GMC it sure has a robust cooling system compared to the Chevy .

i'd say robust... factory sealed, no radiator cap

(i'll assume it's like the older trucks mounted on a 90° gooseneck)

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i'd say robust... factory sealed, no radiator cap

(i'll assume it's like the older trucks mounted on a 90° gooseneck)

Ding ding ding ...

Winner winner .... and no chicken dinner .

Now back to the regular post ...

[G&R's57GMC]

Come to think about it , My '66 Dart has a Hood to Rad seal that my be what your looking for and is available new from http://www.metrommp.com
It's more then long enough to do the job.

Part # CS20K seal & clips $ 58.55