After my first big trip, I decided to mount an electric fan to cut down on the engine noise. My Grumman has no thermo clutch, and no room to mount one.
So, I start by removing the stock fan blade, a job more easily done with the radiator out. Hmmmm, little low on water [just topped off before the trip]. Got it out, hey, what is that lump at the bottom?
A hunk of JB Weld...with someones initials in it! Oddly enough, the initials and my reaction to the repair are related....M.F.{!}
Anyways, my radiator repairman says the old one is toast, suggests the radiator sealant until I find a replacement. I'm not crazy out sealant additives, so I thought I'd try something different.
I masked off the leaking areas, all at the junction to the end caps, blocking the bottom and making a form of sorts at the top. Then I filled the offending cells and ones surrounding them with Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy. I was able to buy one of the standard single use/dual tube applicator with a mixing nozzle, along with a bulk package of the same epoxy. When the epoxy ran out, I removed the plunger and refilled the syringe and kept going.
I will be testing the repair this weekend with a 120 mile jaunt, using straight water. I'll carry some radiator sealant, but hope not to use it.
Anyone have any tips on sourcing a radiator? The repairman thought it looked like a mid fifties pick-up radiator. Might have to take a picture...
