The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Radiator Restoration

Hopefully this will be quick. I've got a pretty good original radiator that I'd like to restore. I was thinking about an acid dip and then some radiator paint. I've never asked a shop if they do this sort of work or just patch holes. Any experience/advise out there?

a good rad shop will clean it as necessary, leak check it [many/most old rads weep or are weak at the tank joints], repair it if needed, and repaint it with the proper paint

Bill

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

Check with a local rod shop; there must be a thousand in California. Ask them who they use for radiator work. That shop should be above average.