When I worked at an antique car restoration shop we would take the radiator to the radiator repair guy, he would disassemble it and keep the core, sending back the tanks and side straps.
We then straightened the dents out of the brass tanks. Occasionally the tanks would have to have cracks silver soldered, or new parts made of brass and silver soldered in place. We also replaced portions of the steel as necessary or remade them altogether.
Then take all the bits back to the radiator guy, and he would carefully reassemble it, then one last check for dents, a scuffing, and paint.

You may have to look pretty hard to find a radiator guy who is that careful and accommodating.

Grigg

•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
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"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-