Radiator rebuilding

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Folks,

years ago, every large town had at least one radiator shop that could repair, "re-core", or otherwise rebuild any radiator. Back then radiators were mostly brass and copper.

As far as I have been able to determine, there are no such shops any more. Also, most radiators are made of aluminum. I have no idea if these to facts are related.

Does anyone know if aluminum radiators can be rebuilt?

thanks

:thumbs2:

[can whlvr 994]

dont know the answer to your question but in my town our rad shop closed up,so this is a good question

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,527]

"unclebo" here on RS had his own radiator shop and he did it all. Send him a pm and he may be able to help you out. He did some very nice custom stuff.

[smoreau 658]

I have found that it's cheaper to just replace it with a new one. By the time they remove the tanks to ROD out the cooling tubes and replace the tank seals, you will have more then $100 into it. Any repairs to the core are repaired with a plastic injection kit if I remember correctly. Most of the time it's about $100 for a new one. Go to O'riles, Car Quest or Auto Value and price them out. I am not a fan for junk zone and refuse to even walk in there. Also look in the the yellow pages for Auto cooling and AC part supply companies that handle radiators.

Up date: the above is for aluminum radiators with plastic tanks. Copper ones are cheaper to have repaired, and larger ones.

[Jim_M 179]

We still have a couple of good radiator shops around here. It's cheaper to repair the radiator on a heavy truck, large farm tractor or a piece of heavy equipment than it is to replace it.

[Kelly 1,033]

What Jim said, they fix lots of the big style rads, we have a few rad shops in the area still, as for recoring a alum. no most places will just sell you a new rad. they are fairly cheap, they can be repaired.

[stevasaurus 23,274]

We still have "Rex Radiator" in East Dundee, Ill. They have been around for ever, and I hope they stay around for some time yet. They rebuilt the heater core in my 64' Ford, and I have had them boil out a few gas tanks for the horses. You're right though, not many of them around anymore.

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

The cost for a new radiator from Cushman is $650

For 199 I can get a used one, or can get something from Surplus Center that may or may not be easily adapted.

I have two Cushman haulsters and both have bad heater cores. That makes me wary about the used option.