No doubt you have seen literally...
No doubt you have seen literally thousands of Walker Radiator-equipped cars with many accumulating thousands of miles with nary a cooling ill.
Walker Radiator Works, Inc., has been hand-building and refining their product line with traditional dedication to fitment, reliability and customer approval since 1932. They are still located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, next to Sun Records, where Elvis cut his first tracks. But their manufacturing techniques have remained as always; clean and simple.
Located near Memphis International Airport and close to FedEx's "SuperHub," it comes as no surprise that Walker Radiator has fitted a large number of radiators in that carrier's enormous truck fleet, as they have with UPS and other commercial businesses. And yet, surprisingly, this represents only a small percentage of Vernon Walkers' business, which still centers on hot rods.
To tackle the difficulties realized by today's car builders and rodders, Walker Radiator, through the guidance of longtime hot rodder Vernon Walker, has passed over more evolutionary materials and mass production manufacturing and stayed with proven methods that have served his company well. Incorporating refined variations of copper-brass construction, the real-world effectiveness of Walker Cobra radiators stands up to the challenges of alloy radiator builders making claims to the contrary.
Radiator manufacturers the...
Radiator manufacturers the world over could only hope to have produced the volume of products shaped today just as Walker Radiator Works has done for the past 77 years.
Key to this efficiency are the specially-contoured, computer-designed fins comprising of approximately 620,000 precise louvers in an average-size Walker Cobra radiator. And while some alloy radiator manufacturers position their fins 1/2- to 3/4-inch apart, Walker reduces that gap by locating the fins just 1/4-inch apart, creating more surface area to dispel heat with 17 fins-per-inch (14 fins-per-inch with the Z-series) over the core surface.
Walker is quick to point out that while their copper-brass radiators weigh more than aluminum counterparts of similar size; their Cobra radiators are efficient at controlling heat. Walker has proven for an aluminum radiator to match the cooling efficiency of a copper-brass radiator it needs to be larger, thereby requiring more space, materials and liquid. Copper-brass radiators are also far more durable than alloy versions, and repairable when difficulties do arise.
You can find a Walker Radiator in countless numbers of street rods and one only has to ask one of these hot rodders, "Does your radiator work?" to find out just how well respected the Walker line of radiators are.
The brass tubing used in every...
The brass tubing used in every Walker Cobra radiator is formed from flat stock through a four-step process on this tube mill, which turns out exceptionally durable tubing at a surprising rate.
Arranged from 14 to 17 fins...
Arranged from 14 to 17 fins per inch, these long perfected heat sinks are one of the keys to Walker's effectiveness and reliability. Soon they will be united with the tubes to create the core.
The core and header plate...
The core and header plate are first acid dipped to ensure an ideal bond before being lowered into a 750-degree bath of liquid solder.
The header plates are fitted...
The header plates are fitted to the core prior to being permanently bonded as a single unit.
The core is created when a...
The core is created when a combination of solder-coated brass tubes and various numbers of copper fins are aligned on this stacking table fixture. Once positioned the assembly is clamped into a single unit.
To create the perfect top...
To create the perfect top tank for a given application, special steel dies are made for every design. While costly, this method ensures great style and absolute reliability.
Brass filler necks are attached...
Brass filler necks are attached to copper elbows prior to the assembly being fitted to the top tank. A brass drain cock is located on the bottom tank.
As part of the final assembly...
As part of the final assembly process, the radiator is submerged to check for any leaks as it's finished. This long-standing and proven approach returns exceptional reliability.
Placing the radiators in ovens...
Placing the radiators in ovens for drying prior to the painting process allows the paint to adhere properly over the long term; just one of the many reasons these radiators feature a ten-year warranty.
The core is clamped into a...
The core is clamped into a fixture so the top tank can be united with the header plate.
Like every aspect of Walker's...
Like every aspect of Walker's assembly process, great care is taken during the painting process. Everyone who works here is well aware of where their handiworks go-in many of the finest cars built today.
When compared with a tattered...
When compared with a tattered but original Deuce radiator, it's easy to see the family resemblance. Hard to believe Walker builds 28 different varieties for '32s alone.
Whatever your cooling requirements,...
Whatever your cooling requirements, Walker's impressive array of components cover those needs with exceptional products.