The Ford Barn

Don Cape Cod · 02-03-2016, 05:00 PM

No shops on the Cape "tank" our old radiators anymore. That led to a bad scene last fall. Does anyone know of a shop in eastern Mass. that continues to use the tank process to chemically clean our old rad's?

Thank, Don, for Dave Nixon

1931 flamingo · 02-03-2016, 06:56 PM

Have you tried the vinegar ??
Paul in CT

Karl · 02-03-2016, 09:06 PM

Do what I did -put a fan blade through the radiator -You get a nice brand new clean core ! When I don't feel that drastic I have had success with vinegar -Karl

Curt in AZ · 02-04-2016, 12:09 AM

What ratio of vinegar:water is best? Thanks.

Brian · 02-04-2016, 02:00 AM

Is vinegar safe to use with ally heads?

Scotty's 52 F3 · 02-04-2016, 10:31 AM

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I don't think you can really clean out a radiator chemically. I tried the vinegar flush on my 52 when I first got it. I ran it straight for a few days. I ran the engine up to temp a few times and finally flushed it out. Got a LOT of rusty water out and looking down into the radiator the brass looked new.

However, the water jackets still had a thick layer of what looked like wet yellow chalk. So I flushed with phosphoric acid paint prep. 50/50 mix with water and let it soak a couple days. MAN what a difference. Water jackets look new. Brass T-stats and inside radiator looked new.

I took the radiator in for service since the tag on it showed it was re-cored back in 1996. It was 50% plugged according to the shop. They said rodding it out is the only way to clean them out.

Brian, I don't think any acid would be good for aluminum. I also think it would probably take out water pump seals. I was changing mine so I didn't care.

Scotty's 52 F3 · 02-04-2016, 10:35 AM

Here's my water jacket and T-stat after the flush and what I used. Radiator was still 50% plugged. The block was pressure washed out with the pumps off as well as down the heads at the T-stat housings to make sure no sandy stuff left behind.

Scotty's 52 F3 · 02-04-2016, 10:39 AM

This was after vinegar flush.

russcc · 02-04-2016, 08:19 PM

Hi Don

You may want to check with Dan Guertin at Starfish Radiator in Orleans if you haven't already. Dan will point you in the right direction. He is on his way to Florida right now, and will be back in 3 weeks.

Russ

Tom Walker · 02-05-2016, 03:08 AM

I had some Hydrochloric acid left over from a concrete floor etching job. It does a great job of dissolving rust and limescale. The evil gas that comes off is presumably chlorine, so you need to do it outside!
I think the problem with radiators is that the tubes get blocked where they start in the top tank. That plug of gunge is quite thick, so takes a hell of a lot to dissolve it. I think that is why rodding is the only way to clear them. ie take off the bottom tank and rod them backwards.

Don Cape Cod · 02-05-2016, 07:42 AM

Russ, Thanks. Dan does not have the "tank" anymore. I've been placing a few calls in the New Bedford and Worcester areas. I think the old process is the only way to go for these old copper rad's.

tanner · 02-11-2016, 03:15 PM

In my Dad's radiator repair shop back in the 60's-70's we soaked radiators in a hot solution of caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) for 2 or 3 hours and then flushed them out with water/compressed air. This cleaned everything but rust/scale lodged in the tubes. That required removing tanks and rodding with flat steel rods which was very hard on old cores. We learned the hard way that aluminum Corvette radiators did not like the treatment after we put one end and found nothing left to take out.

supereal · 02-11-2016, 05:16 PM

Any solvent strong enough to dissolve the deposits in the radiator usually results in damage to the core. If your radiator is so plugged you are have chronic overheating, it is almost always time for replacement. It isn't cheap, but allows you to drive in all seasons without worry.

SofaKing · 02-12-2016, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty's 52 F3

I don't think you can really clean out a radiator chemically. I tried the vinegar flush on my 52 when I first got it. I ran it straight for a few days. I ran the engine up to temp a few times and finally flushed it out. Got a LOT of rusty water out and looking down into the radiator the brass looked new.

However, the water jackets still had a thick layer of what looked like wet yellow chalk. So I flushed with phosphoric acid paint prep. 50/50 mix with water and let it soak a couple days. MAN what a difference. Water jackets look new. Brass T-stats and inside radiator looked new.

I took the radiator in for service since the tag on it showed it was re-cored back in 1996. It was 50% plugged according to the shop. They said rodding it out is the only way to clean them out.

Brian, I don't think any acid would be good for aluminum. I also think it would probably take out water pump seals. I was changing mine so I didn't care.

I am not following, are you saying it was 50% clogged after the paint prep and then you had to have it rodded anyway?

MDC · 02-12-2016, 11:16 PM

Glen Ray Radiators of Wausau, Wisconsin has my 1941 flathead radiator right now to disassemble, boil, rod out and repair leaks. It was really plugged up after 50 years of mice living in it.

They looked it over and said they can clean it and repair it so it will work like new. The estimate is $350. So far they have been great to deal with but I haven't seen the end result yet. Check out their web site and give them a call.

cas3 · 02-13-2016, 10:56 AM

the radiator man i use said to never use acid as it will eat up the solder first. just sayin, skip

1952henry · 02-13-2016, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cas3

the radiator man i use said to never use acid as it will eat up the solder first. just sayin, skip

My thoughts as well. Seems if it eats up rust the solder could be lunched as well. Do st@ 2b corrected.

russcc · 02-17-2016, 01:58 PM

Hi Don

Here is an Industrial strength product that may do the job. I sent you a PM on it also. I have not figured out how to post a photo on a PM

big job · 02-17-2016, 02:53 PM

Dennis Costa in the City of Taunton lot closer than Worcester. Costa Repair Service
right across from the main fire station. He's still roddin out my flatheads. by removing
top and bottom tanks rod em out, re solder pressure test cheaper that a recore, but
he will recore. Then there is Modem might be spelled wrong they are in Weymouth
they mfg. radiators. They do the brass ones to AC Macks. Short story my fan went
wiped out radiator on 1959 Continental with A/C. found the place I say oh -0-
modern plant industrial park. Bring radiator in to the counter 'I figure a waste of
time. Guy says right off the bat thats 1958 thru 1960 Lincoln with A/C. Lets take a
walk, I see model Ts early V8s name it. Fork lift goes way up brand new boxed radiator. sam
think it was $180. So I don't judge books by the cover no more.

02-03-2016, 05:00 PM	#1
Don Cape Cod Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 114	Radiator cleaning No shops on the Cape "tank" our old radiators anymore. That led to a bad scene last fall. Does anyone know of a shop in eastern Mass. that continues to use the tank process to chemically clean our old rad's? Thank, Don, for Dave Nixon

02-03-2016, 06:56 PM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: Radiator cleaning Have you tried the vinegar ?? Paul in CT

02-03-2016, 09:06 PM	#3
Karl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manawatu, New Zealand Posts: 1,416	Re: Radiator cleaning Do what I did -put a fan blade through the radiator -You get a nice brand new clean core ! When I don't feel that drastic I have had success with vinegar -Karl

02-04-2016, 12:09 AM	#4
Curt in AZ Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Clarkdale, AZ Posts: 121	Re: Radiator cleaning What ratio of vinegar:water is best? Thanks.

02-04-2016, 02:00 AM	#5
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,829	Re: Radiator cleaning Is vinegar safe to use with ally heads? __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

02-04-2016, 10:31 AM	#6
Scotty's 52 F3 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Marana, AZ. Posts: 414	Re: Radiator cleaning Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I don't think you can really clean out a radiator chemically. I tried the vinegar flush on my 52 when I first got it. I ran it straight for a few days. I ran the engine up to temp a few times and finally flushed it out. Got a LOT of rusty water out and looking down into the radiator the brass looked new. However, the water jackets still had a thick layer of what looked like wet yellow chalk. So I flushed with phosphoric acid paint prep. 50/50 mix with water and let it soak a couple days. MAN what a difference. Water jackets look new. Brass T-stats and inside radiator looked new. I took the radiator in for service since the tag on it showed it was re-cored back in 1996. It was 50% plugged according to the shop. They said rodding it out is the only way to clean them out. Brian, I don't think any acid would be good for aluminum. I also think it would probably take out water pump seals. I was changing mine so I didn't care.

02-04-2016, 08:19 PM	#9
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: Radiator cleaning Hi Don You may want to check with Dan Guertin at Starfish Radiator in Orleans if you haven't already. Dan will point you in the right direction. He is on his way to Florida right now, and will be back in 3 weeks. Russ

02-05-2016, 03:08 AM	#10
Tom Walker Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Leicester. UK Posts: 404	Re: Radiator cleaning I had some Hydrochloric acid left over from a concrete floor etching job. It does a great job of dissolving rust and limescale. The evil gas that comes off is presumably chlorine, so you need to do it outside! I think the problem with radiators is that the tubes get blocked where they start in the top tank. That plug of gunge is quite thick, so takes a hell of a lot to dissolve it. I think that is why rodding is the only way to clear them. ie take off the bottom tank and rod them backwards.

02-05-2016, 07:42 AM	#11
Don Cape Cod Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 114	Re: Radiator cleaning Russ, Thanks. Dan does not have the "tank" anymore. I've been placing a few calls in the New Bedford and Worcester areas. I think the old process is the only way to go for these old copper rad's.

02-11-2016, 03:15 PM	#12
tanner Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lake Norman, NC Posts: 82	Re: Radiator cleaning In my Dad's radiator repair shop back in the 60's-70's we soaked radiators in a hot solution of caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) for 2 or 3 hours and then flushed them out with water/compressed air. This cleaned everything but rust/scale lodged in the tubes. That required removing tanks and rodding with flat steel rods which was very hard on old cores. We learned the hard way that aluminum Corvette radiators did not like the treatment after we put one end and found nothing left to take out.

02-11-2016, 05:16 PM	#13
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: Radiator cleaning Any solvent strong enough to dissolve the deposits in the radiator usually results in damage to the core. If your radiator is so plugged you are have chronic overheating, it is almost always time for replacement. It isn't cheap, but allows you to drive in all seasons without worry.

02-12-2016, 11:16 PM	#15
MDC Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Illinois Posts: 50	Re: Radiator cleaning Glen Ray Radiators of Wausau, Wisconsin has my 1941 flathead radiator right now to disassemble, boil, rod out and repair leaks. It was really plugged up after 50 years of mice living in it. They looked it over and said they can clean it and repair it so it will work like new. The estimate is $350. So far they have been great to deal with but I haven't seen the end result yet. Check out their web site and give them a call.

02-13-2016, 10:56 AM	#16
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,567	Re: Radiator cleaning the radiator man i use said to never use acid as it will eat up the solder first. just sayin, skip

02-17-2016, 02:53 PM	#19
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: Radiator cleaning Dennis Costa in the City of Taunton lot closer than Worcester. Costa Repair Service right across from the main fire station. He's still roddin out my flatheads. by removing top and bottom tanks rod em out, re solder pressure test cheaper that a recore, but he will recore. Then there is Modem might be spelled wrong they are in Weymouth they mfg. radiators. They do the brass ones to AC Macks. Short story my fan went wiped out radiator on 1959 Continental with A/C. found the place I say oh -0- modern plant industrial park. Bring radiator in to the counter 'I figure a waste of time. Guy says right off the bat thats 1958 thru 1960 Lincoln with A/C. Lets take a walk, I see model Ts early V8s name it. Fork lift goes way up brand new boxed radiator. sam think it was $180. So I don't judge books by the cover no more.