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| | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 156 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 156 | I've searched and read old posts extensively and don't find this specific topic, so hopefully you guys don't mind answering this.
I have a '51 3100. The original radiator leaks, and my local shop said he could try to fix it, but the risk is if he applies enough heat to solder it, he could cause adjacent parts to come unsoldered and spring new leaks (something like that). So I bought a $400 replacement from Classic Parts, and I'll be danged if the fan blade doesn't hit the bottom of the rad. In looking closer, it appears the angle of the mounting brackets isn't as extreme as on the original (meaning the bottom of the rad isn't as forward as the original, thus the obstructon).
Do you experts agree that repairing the original is risky (likely to cause new leaks)? Do you have any tips for making the replacement fit? I'm planning on taking it back to Classic Parts.
DJ
'51 Chevy 3104 1/2-ton 216
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 | Are the brackets on right? The radiator should tip the same way as the engine, keeping the fan square to the core. If your rad guy is worried about softening other solder joints, keep them cool with a water soaked rag or some other heat sink before soldering. A good rad guy would know what to do,
Scott | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 238 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 238 | ol red - you might read the last posting of " 302 6cyl waterpump problem - posted 6/21/08 . I had the same problem with mine and the posting tells what I did . I think it was put in the "Big Bolts" forum .Good Luck and have fun. Ed H | | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,557 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,557 | If your tanks are good,Have a new core installed,If the price is right.
1951 3100 Chevrolet1951 Chevrolet Suburban CarryallImage"A house is built with boards and beams. A home is built with love and dreams." "Look deep before you leap !!!" / "Everything is Everything" "If I say a mouse can pull a house, hitch him up"
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 841 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 841 | i have had shops not want to touch it because it was old. i have brazed holes in rads several times. sometimes it works sometimes not. they are right sometimes new holes pop right up. i always like the idea of a new rad, i would try to get it to work. if you try to braze the rad and it leaks somwhere else, what did you loose in trying?? but i bet the new rad will cool better than the old. good luck. hr | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | I have a rad out of my 51 you can have for free. It was working fine when I removed it. Next time you're in Dallas let me know.
~Jim
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