Radiator repair

[CharlieC]

Anyone ever tried repairing a leak/hole in a radiator? I've had a nice 4 row installed forever, went for a test drive with an unknown passenger (screwdriver on the radiator support). That mf'er fell off, into the fan, which directed it into the radiator and broke my shroud at the bottom. I stitched the shroud back together with safety wire and was able to pickup a used 3 row for $25. Works fine, size-wise it's OK, but the mounting bracket up top is too wide for it, holds, but not firmly held.

Amazon has those flux-core aluminum and brass rods, I thought I might give it a try as I'd like to save the 4-core. Radiator shops that do that seem to be vanishing.

Thanks
Charlie

 

[formercruiserhead]

Anyone ever tried repairing a leak/hole in a radiator? I've had a nice 4 row installed forever, went for a test drive with an unknown passenger (screwdriver on the radiator support). That mf'er fell off, into the fan, which directed it into the radiator and broke my shroud at the bottom. I stitched the shroud back together with safety wire and was able to pickup a used 3 row for $25. Works fine, size-wise it's OK, but the mounting bracket up top is too wide for it, holds, but not firmly held.

Amazon has those flux-core aluminum and brass rods, I thought I might give it a try as I'd like to save the 4-core. Radiator shops that do that seem to be vanishing.

Thanks
Charlie

I think you need acid core solder.

 

[scouthead]

hmmmm i have soldered my last radiator a few times when leaks at the pressed filler neck and hose fittings occurred. thoroughly cleaned and roughed up everything- flux, acid core plumbing solder... worked fine on a brass/copper radiator.

I miss my local radiator guy from years ago- if a cross tube was damaged, he would clip it out, and fold up the ends stubbing out of the core, and then brazed. Had several of those repairs going strong 10 years and unknown mileage later when selling the truck. he always suggested to get away from the higher pressure caps after a repair. I have run everything from 7-12 psi caps as availability allows for, but will no longer touch the 14-16 and higher ones.

he also said if your radiator is aluminum, it would not able to be repaired by welding or brazing if it had previously had coolant in it. you could try epoxy blah blah blah... but only a matter of time.

 

[CharlieC]

" if a cross tube was damaged, he would clip it out, and fold up the ends stubbing out of the core, and then brazed"

This is exactly what I intend to try, I'll give the acid core stuff a go.

What would a recommendation be to clean it with?

Charlie

 

[swettysblazer]

Do as said above. Take a pair of diagonal cutters, clip the tube that is bad, and do the same thing on the opposite side. Heat up the clipped tube in the tank and the solder will melt and the old tube will come out.

Clean the spot you are going to solder with flux. I would recommend getting some tinning compound to make sure the solder sticks to it, but you will probably be fine if you don't do that.

Any questions make sure to ask, I grew up in a radiator shop.

 

[ramack]

About a year after I bought my '79 the radiator started to leak. I looked at repairing it ( having it done) or buy a new one. The new rads available were all plastic which I wasn't keen on, so I had it fixed. Cost ~ $100, been fine since.