This is great dialog which is what I was hoping for when I posted the diatribe about my unfortunate experience. Now, I'll add some answers and caveats of my own...
The original 1941 radiator had blown it core and while the radiator shop (another one) did state that it could be recored I would more than likely be better off buying a new one if available. I was also told that the tank just wasn't worth putting a new ccre on. The reason I bought the new one, slightly less than two years ago, was because I thought at the time that I would have a rolling chasis with remanufactured engine running within months of beginning this project. After pulling the engine and taking it to the shop I was told that it would be ready in two weeks or so. The chassis was being blasted and painted and I wanted to have the radiator available when I remounted the engine. That was the time line I was working on at that juncture. Lesson 1 learned... these things always take longer than anticipated and cost far more than your original budget.
The reason the truck has only got slightly over 500 miles on it is due many unexpected detours with the restoration, mainly delays compounding delays; defective initial engine remanufacture; months of delays in getting the reman shop to stand by their warranty (even threatening legal action); parts research and procurement (just take a look at the thread on something that would seem fairly simple like
Front Engine Mount Details (it wasn't simple but for the next guy it will be easier because of this great resource called Stovebolt.com); "milking the cow" in completing sheet metal work and painting due underbidding by the body shop (my project was placed on the back burner;) and lastly the scope of the restoration grew exponentially. A host of other "unexpected" forks in the road, not related to the project itself, also resulted in unanticipated delays.
I'm not so reluctant to mention the vendor in question, as my initial parts list is linked in the Gallery (I haven't updated it in quite some time and the new bottom line is much higher) and I just want to chat up the vendor on Monday and see what their response to this will be. After that I will post additional comments or resolution if any. Knowing these folks as I do I think something might be worked out as perhaps they really do believe that their outsourced product was built to original specs - it's not.
My initial frustration was that the parts catalog clearly states what I mentioned in the beginning of this thread. It wasn't until it failed with very little use that I discovered that it was a POS. I just don't like being sold a pigs ear when I was told it was a silk purse. Also at the time I bought it I didn't really shop around, and actually thought what I paid at the time was high, as the catalog indicated that I was getting a radiator built to GM standards, blah, blah, blah.
I'm aware that junk was being built back in the 40's too, but then again I believe the original radiator lasted at least 60 years. It may have been recored, even more than once, I have no way of knowing now as it ended up in the dump. I wish I had at least saved the original tank to do some comparisons in construction. If I had done that perhaps I would have sent the "new" radiator back immediately.
The reason I posted this topic in the beginning was to enlighten and help others learn from my mistake. I've done this throughout this most interesting and enlightening project. I don't mind admitting to making mistakes and would like to help other 'Bolters avoid the same ones if possible. The "heat" mentioned in the original thread was meant to provide some humor during a bad week in the world financial markets. The $400 wasted on this "investment" pales in comparison with more serious matters in life. The patience acquired with this undertaking serves me well in other endeavors too.
It's all cool and I will more than likely be speaking with Walker also on Monday. I'll let you all know how it turns out.
One day I will make my Blue Highway adventure and just want to start out with a reliable truck that will not turn this dream of mine into a Grape's of Wrath sort of saga.
Don
