Radiator repair

Bkpigs · Aug 11, 2018

Trying to fix the small leak between the upper tank and core on the radiator for a Farmall 300. I was heating and rolling the lip to get the tank of and realized I must have been moving it too much at a time. The lip was splitting from the core. Am I SOL now? Trying to find a radiator shop near me to bring it to. I fixed the 504 radiator but guess I just got lucky with it.

Thanks

Dean · Aug 11, 2018

A good radiator shop should be able to repair it for you.

Trouble is, good radiator shops are increasingly difficult to find.

Thanks, feds.

Dean

JD Seller · Aug 11, 2018

I have found that a good repair costs as much as a new radiator these days.

37chief · Aug 11, 2018

You are working with brass to brass. Just clean it real good, bright shinny good. use acid flux, and 50 50, or 40 60 solder. I use a small tip on my torch, or a propane torch should be good. Just don't over heat the brass. If the brass truns color it's too hot, re brush it. A wire brush works for cleaning the brass. I have never used the no lead solder it may work. Stan

Steve@Advance · Aug 11, 2018

As you've found, the automotive radiator shops are gone.

There are shops that do trucks and large equipment, but most turn their nose up at small stuff.

It will probably take some persuasion, let them know you are serious about getting it repaired, not just getting a price and walking away. Be ready to pay the price though!

Dean · Aug 11, 2018

Often times, yes.

Recently, I had an OEM Ford 8N radiator (you know, the ones that fit) at my local (30 miles) radiator shop cleaned, repaired, flow tested and painted for $80.00.

He has re-cored several mid 50s Ford tractor radiators with proper flat-finned, industrial cores for me for $200.00 but none lately, and, yes, you can buy a Chinese re-pop for less. Problem with the re-pops is that they do not fit properly, do not hold up, and usually have automotive cores which are unusable in anything but a trailer queen.

Dean

Tom in TN · Aug 11, 2018

Steve,

You are so right. The only auto radiator shop in my area closed four or five years ago. I did find a big truck shop that would do my repair, but it took him nearly three weeks to get to it. Fortunately, I have a back-up tractor that I was able to use during that time. I don't remember the cost, but I do remember that it nearly choked me when I picked up the radiator.

Tom in TN

Gambles · Aug 11, 2018

The last time I needed radiator service, I took a Cockshutt 30 radiator that had been open to the elements for a few years to the local shop.
He acted like it was a poisonous snake. He wouldn't get within five feet of it and claimed it had been ruined from mouse droppings. How he stays in business, I don't know.
I then found a repair shop that is about an hour from me. He's one of the dying breed. He took it apart, cleaned it up and put it back together for under $100.
This guy is also good enough that he built a museum-quality radiator (from scratch) that was on a prototype Ford car that Henry Ford built before the Model T went into production. All of the local mechanics and farmers now use him. His work is a piece of art.

Radiator repair

Bkpigs

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Dean

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JD Seller

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37chief

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Steve@Advance

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Dean

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Tom in TN

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Gambles

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