The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Any tips on '46 radiator?

Radiator shop says my '46 radiator is shot...filler neck split, split upper tank, core has multiple leaks. It wasn't even tanked yet, just washed out a little.
I guess I just have to bite the bullet for a new one. It seems good used ones are as scare as hens teeth. Shop man says he can re-core and repair it but it'll be almost the same price as a new one.
Anyone care to point me to a good source?
Thanks, Jacques

Theres a whole range of radiators out there now, from aluminum to brass. It all comes down to how much you want to spend and how much fabrication work you to do to make them fit. Mine was made for a '37 truck but needed side mounts and the lower hose rerouted. It was middle of the road priced so a little extra work didn't bother me. The higher priced units should just drop right in.

Shop around once you find the brand you want. I found mine was cheapest from some machine shop out east. I just Googled the part number then hunted for the cheapest dealer. So many shops sell stuff now, its pretty easy to find a deal if you look hard enough.

Joe

I'll Google it. I just checked the couple of suppliers that I've dealt with before. I'll search more. I can't do any fab work but I can drill some holes for mounting if need be.
Thanks for the advice, Joe.
Jacques

Jacques

I just had this problem with my 39. I bought an afco aluminum from speedway. Required more modification than I wanted to do. I did alot of mods on my truck I just felt that I wanted the radiator to be right. Chevs of the 40s sells a griffin supposed to be bolt in. I wasn't willing to take a chance on a second radiator. I went with brass works in California. Cost me 670.00 to have one made and it will be exact as they use a 39 rad as a template

Thanks for the tip fatboy0169. There's advertised on the net a NOS radiator for about half the price of a new one. My wife says, don't take a chance, buy a new one.
Jacques

I talked to my radiator shop man and told him I was looking into buying a NOS radiator, advertised as having never been used. He told me that the core can go bad over time just sitting there. He advised me not to get it.
He will look at my radiator closer and give me a price on re-coring/rebuilding it.
Jacques

Give brass works a call.... they make you a new one... there is one on ebay right now 41 to 46... i just felt having one made was the way to go... a griffin was gonna cost me 520. Re-coring mine was gonna be 570.00 for 670.00 i have a brand new radiator

my 2 cents


matt

Thanks Matt! The one on Ebay is the one I'm watching. I'll wait to see what the shop says and go from there. What I've got is a stock '46, never restored with a rebuilt 216 long before I bought it and an old good paint job that's showing its age. I kind of hate to put too much in to it when I just want to drive it around town.
Have you ever heard of a radiator going bad just being in storage?
Jacques

I decided to have the local shop rebuild the radiator. The cost is the same as the least expensive reproduction I've found. No shipping cost either. The work has a guaranty also.

thats great in my parts there isnt anyone to rebuild lol.... have to send everything out. to be honest i dont know to much about radiators in storage... I know that mine sat outside for 3 years and when i put it in and warmed the truck up it let go....


matt