repair or replace?

82 GT · 07-05-2004, 03:37 PM

One of my fan bolts worked loose and came in contact with my radiator and rubbed a nice hole in the center of it. My question is: Should I find a place to re-core it or is it cheaper to buy a new one? This was my 4 core radiator in my '82GT that cost me $225 at the time. It leaks pretty bad too.

sees · 07-05-2004, 04:23 PM

I would replace it..... I was charged $65 to weld a crack, small one too; on the passender side tank on my 3 core aluminum radiator.

And it starting leaking again 4 months later! I spent a total of $95 bux for the repair.

Rev · 07-05-2004, 07:22 PM

I had a 4 row brass radiator that I had "rodded out" to unclog the core. In doing that, the straps that hold the radiator together have to be removed and resoldered when it's reassembled. Well. one of the straps came loose and wound around the fan destoying the radiator, fan, and the upper hose.

I vowed after that little fiasco to just buy a new radiator the next tme it got clogged up.

Rev

mustangII460 · 07-05-2004, 08:04 PM

Have it fixed.

Ive had more than I can count fixed, and for various reasons, all with good luck.

Crazy Horse GT · 07-05-2004, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mustangII460
Have it fixed.

Ive had more than I can count fixed, and for various reasons, all with good luck.

i agree, at least compare price's, i have seen some bad radiator repares done, cheaper than a new one? just my .02.

tireburner163 · 07-05-2004, 10:23 PM

Just have it fixed. Should't be that much to have it sodered up.

-Josh, aka tireburner

82 GT · 07-06-2004, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tireburner163
Just have it fixed. Should't be that much to have it sodered up.

-Josh, aka tireburner

Keep in mind that a fan bolt was spinning at engine speed across the radiator in a perfect circle.
Looks like a radiator crop circle.....

crazypete · 07-06-2004, 11:46 AM

Get a soldering iron and a spool of solder for about 20 bucks, drain the radiator, lay it flat, and solder away. You're just plugging a hole, pretty straight forward. If it starts leaking again...well, you did your best but didnt lose a lot of money in the process. If it doesnt leak but one of the passages is clogged but it still cools the car, you just saved yourself a whole bunch of money.

Oh yeah......

Dont use radiator sealer!! Ever! I lost a radiator by doing that. Brand new radiator got a small hole punched in it so I decided to be lazy and use the sealer. Well, it simply didnt radiate after the sealer. Probably coated the inside of the entire thing with crap. I should have taken my own advice.

07-05-2004, 03:37 PM	#1
82 GT Import Slayer Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 2,241	repair or replace? One of my fan bolts worked loose and came in contact with my radiator and rubbed a nice hole in the center of it. My question is: Should I find a place to re-core it or is it cheaper to buy a new one? This was my 4 core radiator in my '82GT that cost me $225 at the time. It leaks pretty bad too. __________________ '82 GT 351W (.060)Comp Cams 274* Extreme Energy cam, ported & polished heads w/ 1.94/1.60 valves 10.3:1 flat top pistons,stealth intake, Mallory dizzy,Holley 750dp carb, BBK shorties,Flowmaster exhaust,C-4 with 3700 stall converter, B&M pro shifter,8.8 rear, 4:10's, subframes, electric fan, powermaster alternator, 4 core radiator.

07-05-2004, 07:22 PM	#3
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Replace it I had a 4 row brass radiator that I had "rodded out" to unclog the core. In doing that, the straps that hold the radiator together have to be removed and resoldered when it's reassembled. Well. one of the straps came loose and wound around the fan destoying the radiator, fan, and the upper hose. I vowed after that little fiasco to just buy a new radiator the next tme it got clogged up. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe

07-05-2004, 08:04 PM	#4
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	Have it fixed. Ive had more than I can count fixed, and for various reasons, all with good luck. __________________ Frank

07-05-2004, 10:23 PM	#6
tireburner163 It's a lot like a race car Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Meridian, MS Posts: 4,130	Just have it fixed. Should't be that much to have it sodered up. -Josh, aka tireburner __________________ 1987 Buick T-type 1998 HD Electra Elide

07-06-2004, 11:46 AM	#8
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	Get a soldering iron and a spool of solder for about 20 bucks, drain the radiator, lay it flat, and solder away. You're just plugging a hole, pretty straight forward. If it starts leaking again...well, you did your best but didnt lose a lot of money in the process. If it doesnt leak but one of the passages is clogged but it still cools the car, you just saved yourself a whole bunch of money. Oh yeah...... Dont use radiator sealer!! Ever! I lost a radiator by doing that. Brand new radiator got a small hole punched in it so I decided to be lazy and use the sealer. Well, it simply didnt radiate after the sealer. Probably coated the inside of the entire thing with crap. I should have taken my own advice. __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior

07-05-2004, 04:23 PM	#2
sees Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 18	I would replace it..... I was charged $65 to weld a crack, small one too; on the passender side tank on my 3 core aluminum radiator. And it starting leaking again 4 months later! I spent a total of $95 bux for the repair.

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