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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 578 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 578 | Willys F-head.
After replacing the thermostat, after making my own gasket (per wonderful help and hints at this forum), ... after all that ... the water pump went out.
I was gently trying to get it out without moving the radiator (stupid me) and neighbor came over. He tends to use muscle, and he doesn't work on cars. He thought he could get the needed 1/16ths clearance with a little extra oomph. Before I could say anything, he stuck a fan blade into the radiator.
Now I have a brand new waterpump installed, and a hole in the brass radiator.
Can I just fire up the propane and put a glob of solder into the hole?
Or should I take it to a shop?
Tips? Comments?
"Happiness equals reality minus expectations" - Tom Magliozzi
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | you might get by just plopping some solder on it, but it's likely copper, not brass, so go very easy on the heat or you'll have leaks all over the place .... I'd take it to a shop where they have the skills
Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 | Save the solder glob for your brass monkey neighbor and send him the repair bill. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 578 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 578 | His heart was in the right place. His talents weren't.
"Happiness equals reality minus expectations" - Tom Magliozzi
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Jim Bow, thats exactly why I stop work in my shop when "certain" people come in. They truly mean well but when I'm working on something that needs a little "finese" I just stop and chat till they leave. I'm usually chewing at the bits for them to leave so I can get back to work but past experience had taught me to be patient!
I do feel your pain. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,774 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,774 | Leave it to a pro- - - -there's a fine balance between just enough heat to make the solder stick, and a bit too much that will turn your slightly damaged radiator into expensive junk! A natural gas/Oxygen torch with a very fine-tipped flame is just about a must, also. Propane/air is too cool, and Acetyline is WAY too hot! There's also the problem with just enough flux and/or acid, applied in the right place, to make the solder flow and seal. It only took me about six months, and a bunch of ruined radiators, to get the technique down pat. Fortunately, the guy who was mentoring me was very patient! He had me practicing on junk radiators in the first place, so I didn't flush his profit margin down the toilet! That guy was an artist with a torch!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
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Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 422 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 422 | Achipmunk, were "certain" people present when you were finessing your mirror arm holes? | | |
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