Author Topic: Radiator help  (Read 7040 times)

jacmac

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Radiator help
« on: April 01, 2010, 10:04:36 PM »
I have a 69 Z10 big block curved neck Harrison radiator that is original to the car. I had the radiator repaired 7 yrears ago,"not knowing it would take this long to finish the car".I started the engine for the first time in 31 years yesterday,everything went well but the radiator had a small leak on the left tank.My repair shop said it has 6 leaks & if he repairs them their will be keep being more & more! I dont want to replace this radiator if I dont have too! Can anyone refer me to a shop who could fix it? Or is it a lost cause! If not repairable where can I find an original ? Any help is appreciated!
69 Z10,69 ss396Chevelle, 71 Corvette

rich69rs

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Re: Radiator help
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2010, 11:32:53 PM »
I have been down your road more than once.  Although you don't want to, I would highly recommend hanging the original radiator on the shop wall and installing a quality replacement.  Your chasing problems with metal that is over 40 yrs old, has gone through untold heat cycles with who knows what corrosive and electrolytic contributors that affected the metal "back in the day".

If you invest enough time and money you might, someday, have a non leaking radiator...but will you ever really trust it?  I wouldn't.

Just my two cents.

Good luck

Richard
Richard Thomas
1969 RS

tmodel66

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Re: Radiator help
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2010, 11:39:28 PM »
Funny this subject came up today but my builder just left my house and told me to get a brand new one. My radiator was working perfet when the car was parked in '84 and I also wanted it recored but he explained about one that got about 20 miles from home and the tank split and the guy was too excited about his first ride in the car. He never checked the gauges til it was too late and cracked a head.  Guess what is on my parts list NOW.
Daniel  
'69 SS 350/4 speed  Fathom Green--POP

DONCZ28

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Re: Radiator help
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2010, 09:33:46 PM »
 Another  option  would be to recore the radiator!  Use your original side tanks, and make sure the core is the same as original ........DON.               

jacmac

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Re: Radiator help
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2010, 10:34:31 PM »
Thanks for the help,so where can I fine an original type of radiator? Is it possible to fine NOS?
69 Z10,69 ss396Chevelle, 71 Corvette

KurtS

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Re: Radiator help
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2010, 06:42:44 AM »
Buy a new core and have the original top rail installed and the original tanks. Noone will be able to tell....
Kurt S
CRG

plumL78

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Re: Radiator help
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2010, 11:07:38 PM »
Don't take it to just ant rad repair shop. Some of those guys couldn't care less about orignality and they will throw away the orig parts. Make sure you have a long talk with them so there won't be any mistakes about what you want.

acelr8

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Re: Radiator help
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2010, 12:19:12 AM »
Heartbeat City has the cores.Thats where I got mine.Jeff