Recoring a radiator

Charlie M · Mar 26, 2018

Anybody tried re-coring their own radiator. I was watching a Utube video and it didn't look complicated. I'm wondering if its a way to go if you can't find a radiator shop around your area.

Dean · Mar 26, 2018

I've had several radiators re-cored and would never consider trying to do it myself without the needed tools, equipment and experience.

Dean

Charlie M · Mar 26, 2018

I certainly don't plan to do it if I have a choice. With everything being throw away these days I'm not sure how much longer radiator repair shops are going to be around.

Mike M · Mar 26, 2018

On What ? I have done a lot of the bolt together JD ones.

If it is a solder together type I don't even know where you would go to buy just a core ?
I have resoldered around the tubes of a removed JD core once. I do not think it was worth all the time and effort I put into it. I would not do another I'd just buy a new core.

Dean · Mar 26, 2018

Agreed.

Unfortunately, radiator shops are rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

Fortunately, I still have a good one in my area.

Dean

rustred · Mar 26, 2018

i have changed out rad cores on the old bolt together rad tanks, like the case D and old mccormicks,and made gaskets.
the ones with the solder on tanks require a lot more work and you better have soldering experience. i probably would take a stab at it. then the pressure test will tell the story.

37chief · Mar 26, 2018

Installing your core could be done, but I think you will find a hard time finding the correct size, and even where to but one. I have unsoldered the top tanks on several radiators and cleaned out the tubes. The secret to radiator soldering is everything needs to be super clean, and use 50 50 solder if you can find it, and acid, not flux. This has been my experience. Here in California the shops can't boil them out anymore because of the strong chemicals used. Last time I took my JD radiator to be boiled out, all they did was bead blast inside the two hose ports. When I looked inside they didn't clean out all the glass bead. I noticed this when I got home. I went back, and got my money back. That would have been a real mess had I ran that stuff through my motor.Stan

gene bender · Mar 26, 2018

radiator for what have you tried to find a used one. Fill it full with vinegar and let it soak just mite work

Steve@Advance · Mar 26, 2018

Personally, I would not try.

There is still a market for radiator repair, just not for automotive radiators. Look for truck/industrial equipment repair.

They may show little interest in something small, just be persistent, let them know you are serious and not looking for a cheap fix.

SVcummins · Mar 26, 2018

What does the radiator go to

banjoman09 · Mar 26, 2018

Charlie... money vs time. Im up against the same task on my W-30; $500-$600 for parts....and I do it or pay a shop another $500 to do it for me..

markct · Mar 26, 2018

Radiator shops are still around, they aren't on every corner serving the automotive industry nowadays, they are fewer but they serve industrial markets like gensets and heavy equipment.

rustred · Mar 26, 2018

did you get that w-30 running yet banjoman ??

banjoman09 · Mar 26, 2018

NOPE !

Recoring a radiator

Charlie M

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Dean

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Charlie M

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Mike M

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Dean

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rustred

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37chief

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gene bender

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Steve@Advance

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SVcummins

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banjoman09

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markct

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rustred

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banjoman09

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