Repair or Replace Radiator?

Satellite72 · Jul 10, 2015

What would make better sense.....to send my radiator to a repair shop or order a new one? I noticed last night that my coolant level had dropped just a little after a couple days of driving here and there. Upon further investigation, it looks like I've got a small leak up top where the inlet tank meets the core...not sure if there is a factory gasket there or if it's something else but a small leak anyways. Basically whatever route I choose, I would like to stay as close to factory fit (26" wide) and operation as possible as I would like to re-use the fan shroud and plan on getting the factory A/C going sometime soon as well. As far as I know, its the original radiator to the car, but not sure.

I saw on ebay a welded aluminum radiator that appears to have all the factory connections and bolting locations for $199. I haven't had much experience with radiator shops so I have no way to really gauge the practicality of a repair based on cost or results. Anybody got any suggestions? Thanks.

belvedere 67 · Jul 10, 2015

I bought a new universal alum. one from speedway for less that $150.00. To me that's the way to go.

furyus · Jul 10, 2015

If you're running the factory shroud, you will want to stay with a factory style radiator. The aluminum ones don't work with the original shroud. I am going through this on my 69 Dart now.

super-bee_ski · Jul 10, 2015

I personally ALWAYS have my Radiators "Re-done" with quality parts by a Radiator expert near my residence.
WHY?

-Simply put: This is a dying ART
'WE" need to keep these craftsman in business before they all go away.

Yup, a Aluminum radiator is lighter, cheaper but I personally believe the Copper cools better OR dissipates heat better than Aluminum.

And, as I mentioned, once these "old timer" Radiator craftsman are gone..we will be screwed!
Just my opinion

Satellite72 · Jul 10, 2015

super-bee_ski said:
I personally ALWAYS have my Radiators "Re-done" with quality parts by a Radiator expert near my residence.
WHY?

-Simply put: This is a dying ART
'WE" need to keep these craftsman in business before they all go away.

Yup, a Aluminum radiator is lighter, cheaper but I personally believe the Copper cools better OR dissipates heat better than Aluminum.

And, as I mentioned, once these "old timer" Radiator craftsman are gone..we will be screwed!
Just my opinion

That's an excellent point there superbee.... And enough of a good point to at the very least remove it and take it to them. There is something very admirable about someone with a skill that your average Joe doesn't have.

dryheat · Jul 10, 2015

Get your radiator repaired.

super-bee_ski said:
Yup, a Aluminum radiator is lighter, cheaper but I personally believe the Copper cools better OR dissipates heat better than Aluminum.

Yes ... copper is almost twice as good at heat conduction than aluminum. The coefficient of conduction:

Silver - 100
Copper - 92
Aluminum - 50
Iron - 11

Ideally a silver radiator is the way to go but way too expensive to be viable.

kjalltrac · Jul 10, 2015

Fixed my leaking radiator a couple of weeks ago, a kid could do it if the leak is located in the joint of the top tank.
Clean the radiator around the leak, use a steel wire brush.
Put solder paste in and around the leak.
Heat it with a blowtorch and solder it.

GetX'd · Jul 10, 2015

I kept mine too and had it fixed by one of those craftsman. It was more expensive than what it would have cost me to buy a new aluminum one. I didn't want to lose another original piece to the car - and while I was having it fixed I had it triple cored. Now it's more capable of handling the stroker my 440 now is. I was also able to keep the shroud and fan. Gives it the back in the day look.

Moparsmitty · Jul 10, 2015

super-bee_ski said:
I personally ALWAYS have my Radiators "Re-done" with quality parts by a Radiator expert near my residence.
WHY?

-Simply put: This is a dying ART
'WE" need to keep these craftsman in business before they all go away.

Yup, a Aluminum radiator is lighter, cheaper but I personally believe the Copper cools better OR dissipates heat better than Aluminum.

And, as I mentioned, once these "old timer" Radiator craftsman are gone..we will be screwed!
Just my opinion

We're down to one radiator shop in town now and the reason he's still in business is because he's the best. I send him all the work that I can. I totally agree, copper is always my first choice.

Dennis H · Jul 10, 2015

Stay with Copper original. Repair or have it repaired.

chignikred · Jul 11, 2015

Repair your copper rad, and thank god you still have the original tanks. Yes, the cores fail, so they have to get fixed, but if done right , will last for the likely life of the car. A non stock tank in the engine compartment, screams " I'm too cheap to do it right" Also, I'd get it done while you still can find an old school rad shop, as they are a dying breed. I have spare recored rads with correct numbers, for all my cars, as my own insurance policy.

GetX'd · Jul 11, 2015

Ditto on Chignikred..

Repair or Replace Radiator?

Satellite72

Well-Known Member

belvedere 67

Well-Known Member

furyus

Well-Known Member

super-bee_ski

FBBO Gold Member

Satellite72

Well-Known Member

dryheat

FBBO Gold Member

kjalltrac

Well-Known Member

GetX'd

Making Life Great Again!

Moparsmitty

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Dennis H

FBBO Gold Member

chignikred

Well-Known Member

GetX'd

Making Life Great Again!

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