The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Radiator Question

I tried running my new engine yesterday, and discovered my radiator had lots of leaks. I brought it to a local radiator shop and he called today, it would work better as a lawn sprinkler than as a radiator. He quoted $350+tax to recore.

LMC, classic parts, etc all list radiators for a bit cheaper. Should I have my original recored or just buy new? It seems like there a bit too cheap, are they a decent quality? If you have one I'd be interested in what you think of it.

Thanks

'53 Chevy

i had all my trucks recored. a good cleaning might have sufficed but i figured with the correct core installed it would eliminate any possibilities of failure. mine cost what you were quoted. i didnt go with the original type core because it was $100 more for the look. i went for max cooling. i guess it would be a toss up on what to do. what does the shipping add to the cost from lmc.

The total for a new radiator from LMC comes to $ 331.70, vs $369 for a recore. It would be cheaper to just get a new radiator, but I really am curious how LMC can sell a radiator that cheap while other sites are charging a heckuva lot more.

I purchased a new radiator from JimCarter some time ago....before they went up so high. In my talk with Mike he informed me that the 4 row, tranny cooler in the bottom. was actually a Desert Cooler radiator for our year vehicle. It is a copper one and at least looks really nice. I have it mounted but have not started my engine yet.
I have not looked at what JimCarter is charging now but at least they give bolters a 10% discount and charge only the actual shipping cost.
Your doing the right thing. Shopping around. There are some folks willing to operate on a tighter buget/profit margin than others.
Hey, your still lucky. A local shop wanted $542 to redo a radiator for my 37 pickup. I bought a Griffin Aluminum for $250 about a year ago from Caparaditor in NY. They have a web site.

I'm looking for a radiator for mine, how do you get the stovebolter discount? special promo code?

skidmarks.... just tell them your a stovebolter and want the discount. In the early beginning some time ago I think Peggy would send them a list of names...but don't quote me on that.
Also, a fellow bolter, Mike Taylor, has worked at JimCarters for years and knows most of us anyway!!! If not he could look us up if he wanted to. Once your established as a stovebolter I think it shows up when they pull your name up the next time.

Classic Parts also gives the stovebolt 10% discount but I'd don't think they are as stovebolt friendly as Carters??? Just my opinion.

I bought one from LMC and have been running it for about 1.5 years now with no problems. Installation went well also.