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01-07-2018, 06:16 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: May 2012
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radiator visitors
Our '30 radiator was delivered to the radiator shop to test it before we installed it on our pickup project. It appeared to be "very good" condition with fins nearly perfect. The truck had been disassembled and barn stored for many years. The radiator shop notified me that the inside had mice nests and they were unable to get water to drain through properly and that it was of no use.
We are hoping to find a way to safe this radiator. Any ideas?? |
01-07-2018, 06:30 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
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Re: radiator visitors
Friend, "Tux-Dennis" bought a Model A with NO upper radumator hose & the WHOLE block, head & EVERYTHING, was stuffed with COTTON, from an Old Garage Couch!!! +*@%#%^%%=+=* NLOL---
If it were my radiator, I'd consider submerging it in LYE & WATER. Bill Upearlyandsick
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"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 01-07-2018 at 06:39 AM. |
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01-07-2018, 06:31 AM | #3 |
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Location: Maryhill Ont Canada
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Re: radiator visitors
You could have the rad rodded. It is very labour intensive. By the time you have it done, it may be just as cheap as having it recored. I had an excellent looking rad that was sent out to be flushed last year ( mice) I installed this rad on an untested engine only find that I buggered up a good used engine by overheating it, the the mice had done more damage and plugged up more then the rad shop knew initially. I had to have it reflushed by their most experienced guy. The rad is better, but I think I'll go new next time. Good luck. Jeff
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01-07-2018, 08:14 AM | #4 |
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Re: radiator visitors
I was able to save an old radiator by cutting two windows in the top tank and rodded out most of the tubes, bent the windows back in place and took it to a shop and had them solder up the windows and any leaks I caused. I flow tested it and it is on my car. I did a video on this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0O4...cz4R0&index=20
If that won't play, just search youtube for "Cleaning out an old Model A radiator". Very crude, but it worked and I would do it again. |
01-07-2018, 08:31 AM | #5 |
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Location: Rhode Island
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Re: radiator visitors
Lye or draino will eat it out. You may need to do it twice if really bad. Don't leave in for more than 20 min. Wear protective eyewear and clothing. back flush out well with water/short air blasts. Will be like new inside
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01-07-2018, 08:34 AM | #6 |
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Re: radiator visitors
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Once clean, place the tanks on the core and place on the form you made from the mdf. This way the tanks and strap will be in the same place as when you started. From here you can tack solder it and have the radiator shop complete the soldering or do it your self. My son at 17 did this with a new core and it worked great. The radiator shop only found one small leak. You have nothing to lose.
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01-07-2018, 08:46 AM | #7 |
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Location: Connecticut Shoreline
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Re: radiator visitors
Radiators are “very important”. Why take a chance? Put in a new correct radiator.
While at it, what does your water pump look like, and your fan? Radiators, brakes, front ends, springs, shocks, tires. There are some things that just should be working 100% correctly. Enjoy. |
01-07-2018, 08:56 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 319
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Re: radiator visitors
A REAL radiator shop would have cleaned your nests out and given it back to you, NO big deal.
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01-07-2018, 09:02 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 580
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Re: radiator visitors
This is what I did to mine and am running it on my Speedster! The flat stock in the one picture is what I used also a piece of round 1/8"
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01-07-2018, 10:10 AM | #10 |
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
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Re: radiator visitors
I like Tom W's idea of using a sump pump for backflushing, lots of flow and little pressure.
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01-07-2018, 12:11 PM | #11 |
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Location: So Cal
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Re: radiator visitors
You need to find a new radiator shop, one that knows how to repair radiators.
Bob |
01-07-2018, 12:18 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Bay City Michigan
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Re: radiator visitors
sounds like its dry. I would take a shop vac and see what you can get out of it. you can duct tape a garden hose into your vacuum to neck it down and get in there.
I used the hose trick to get mice out of a heater box in a truck I have. Then used the hose to spray some de stink in there. |
01-07-2018, 12:31 PM | #13 |
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Location: OKC / Tonkawa, Ok.
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Re: radiator visitors
The mass of an original radiator is apparent when you compare the weight to a newer reproduction. I would go as far as I could if I had and original dimpled fin radiator. I have chased the demon of bad radiators and I can attest that it is hard to beat a good original radiator.
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01-07-2018, 10:14 PM | #14 |
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Location: Middleburg, Virginia
Posts: 421
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Re: radiator visitors
Remove it and back flush both the radiator and block.
Sewall |
01-08-2018, 12:11 AM | #15 |
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Location: Sunny SoCal and Valley Mills, TX
Posts: 63
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Re: radiator visitors
Rodding out a radiator used to be common. It is NOT labor intensive. I had one done, years ago. The guy wasn't busy, so he did it while I waited and watched. He removed the tanks in about 3 minutes, spent 5 or 10 minutes rodding out the tubes and another 8 or 10 minutes resoldering and checking it for leaks. As others have pointed out, find real radiator shop. There are a few left
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01-08-2018, 12:40 AM | #16 |
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Re: radiator visitors
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01-08-2018, 02:47 AM | #17 | |
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Re: radiator visitors
Quote:
I back flushed my original 28 radiator and block, and they are doing fine. As suggested, start with the shop vac. |
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01-08-2018, 11:35 AM | #18 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: NorCal
Posts: 2,617
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Re: radiator visitors
Years ago I did the rodding out on an early V8 radiator. Wasn't hard to do. I used an oil dipstick from a Ford Van, cut it to length and went to work. It fit the tubes real well
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01-08-2018, 12:17 PM | #19 |
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 549
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Re: radiator visitors
The best answer comes form both coasts.
Listen to RonC from RI and Bill Williamson from CA! The problem is organic stuff not rust. Just use a good acid that attacks organics and not metal. My radiator was filled with mouse nests, acorns, and sunflower seeds. I did a lot of flushing then a couple rounds of oxalic acid (wood bleach) some more flushing and it came clean. Lye, Drain-o, Down the Drain, etc will also work. Just don't tell your wife that you stole it for your projects |
01-08-2018, 03:43 PM | #20 |
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Kingston N>Y>
Posts: 121
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Re: radiator visitors
Tom, I am lovin the way you keep these old cars on "life support" bless you. Dutie
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