Radiator Question

[Chunky 611]

I have a 69 mopar 3 row radiator. It been in a box in my basement for the last 20 years. It cooled fine when I took it out. I had it boiled out about 25 years ago soon after I bought my RR. The car is long gone and just pulled this out of its hiding place. How do I know if it needs to be recorded. Is there a visual que? The inside looks kinda rusty but I don't see any blockage. Where can I find a date code? Here are some pics. Thanks for your help. I am thinking of selling it but I want to represent it properly.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Ok, that's a lot of corrosion, so it needs to be flushed at the very least. For basic radiator repair, people have 3 options (listed cheapest to most effective)
1. Flush --> acids eat away corrosion
2. Rod --> tanks are taken off & rods are "reamed" through the cooling tubes.
3. Re-Core --> new cooling tubes/core

If you have a leaking tube & you "rod out" a radiator, you can "solder shut" maybe 2-3 tubes (so they won't leak anymore) and the radiator will still cool OK. At some point, there are so many leaking tubes that you need to replace them all (re-core). I think Caterpillar (CAT) specifications allow 4 blocked off tubes before a radiator needs to be re-cored....for whatever that's worth.

To answer your question....you know when you have to re-core a radiator when it either doesn't cool after 1 & 2 above have been tried OR if too many tubes leak after 2 is tried.

 

[VANDAN]

That radiator lists as a 1969, B-body, 383, auto, Police pkg. You may find a date code on one of the side mounting rails...

 

[Chunky 611]

Thanks for your thorough explanation of my options on my radiator PurpleBeeper. I will take it to my local radiator shop and have him check it out and get his recommendation. I really appreciate your time! I check for the date on the right side mounting rail as you suggested VanDan and saw the numbers 340-3. Which means the 340th day of 73 see pic. I guess the mounting rails have been replaced at some point in its life. I'm not sure if this is the proper for to ask but,if I were to post the radiator sale, as is, any suggestion on price? Or should I have the radiator checked out before? Any recommendations would be great. Thanks again for all your time and info.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Only recore as a last resort, MO. The fins between the tube are different. The fins zig zag on recores, sharp turns. OEM fins are S shaped and have small scoops cut in them. Found an OEM radiator for my car, ran cooler than the recore.
Home cleaner tor core white vinegar.

 

[Chunky 611]

Thanks Fran Blacker, I'll give the white vinegar a shot.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Let it soak for awhile. If Costco is close they sell gallon bottles.