10-15-2015, 01:30 PM | #21 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
Kinda related question to this thread. How much water should a 30-31 radiator hold if one plugged the bottom outlet and filled the radiator? Not counting the water that is in the block. The radiator is currently off the car.
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10-15-2015, 01:37 PM | #22 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
Did they use "honeycomb" radiators in Model A's in Australia? The factory didn't use them in the US.
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10-15-2015, 02:02 PM | #23 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
Honeycomb radiators are VERY efficient, IF they are CLEAN & FLOW well.
Bill W.
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10-15-2015, 03:57 PM | #24 | |
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Re: Leaky Rad
Quote:
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10-15-2015, 04:01 PM | #25 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
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10-15-2015, 04:06 PM | #26 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
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Is it an original round tube or a recored flat tube one ? Aussie desert coolers make copper/brass rads for A/s and is at Bendigo each year. I think they are a bit below $800 . |
10-15-2015, 05:08 PM | #27 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
Here's a photo of the offending leak, also showing the radiator structure. It's a Newcell re-core, possibly 60+ years old, as I can't find evidence of this company's existence forward of the late 1940s.
The radiator doesn't have flat fins, hence I think why my rad shop man described it as honeycomb, which was confusing to me. But that's a side issue!! These photos were taken before my rad shop man made his (unsuccessful) attempt to solder the leaks. The ongoing leak at the bottom appears to me to be confined to one tube? The other leaks indicated by staining under the top outlet and near the Newcell tag have taken up and are no longer an issue. Last edited by Hoogah; 10-15-2015 at 08:07 PM. Reason: typo corrected |
10-15-2015, 05:22 PM | #28 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
I suppose after 60 years we all get a bit leaky.......
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10-15-2015, 05:23 PM | #29 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
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10-15-2015, 05:34 PM | #30 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
I believe that leak can be repaired. It likely would require some cutting out of the fins and pinching off the tube. If the resulting appearance doesn't bother you it's a fairly inexpensive job. I had a similar repair done to mine.
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10-15-2015, 05:39 PM | #31 | |
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Re: Leaky Rad
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I have had another suggestion that entails also cutting out fins and patching with silicone smeared on a small piece of cotton cloth. |
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10-15-2015, 06:06 PM | #32 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
It's not something you should try at home. The repair area has to be thoroughly cleaned or else the solder will not take. Rad shops have big tanks to bathe the rad. Mine has the typical horizontal fins not the cellular shaped ones as yours, but they would open up the cell above and below the leak. In your case, judging by the pic, it may actually be at the bottom tank. Then they cut the tube at the leak and flatten it with needle nose and solder it shut. Silicone, jb weld, crazy glue, epoxy stuff will not work regardless of what the label says. If the guy you used can't do it, look for a shop that works on trucks or farm tractors.
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10-15-2015, 06:15 PM | #33 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
Hoogah can you post a pic of what the rad shop guy did?
Like, did he cut fins away to get to it ? The only way I have ever successfully soldered copper or brass is to sandblast it first. Very thin metal can maybe be soldered by an iron and resin solder. If this does not take perfectly, sandblast it again and try some stick solder and hydrochloric acid and a flame . You can always make some replacement fins out of very thin copper or brass plate and push it back into place to match the rest. A coat of black and you would never notice the repair. |
10-15-2015, 06:21 PM | #34 | |
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Re: Leaky Rad
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The rad repair man tried to seal it up without removing any fins. I could talk to him about removing fins and resoldering/pinching off the tube, as I reckon this area will be hidden by the radiator surround when viewed from the front. |
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10-15-2015, 06:43 PM | #35 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
That's a new type core. If you run the back of your finger nail very lightly down the fins and they all collapse then they are stuffed.
Aussie Desert I think said A$450 for a core. Not sure if this included installation. If you could find someone local to install a core, then they can fix it if it doesn't work right. |
10-15-2015, 06:45 PM | #36 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
If your radiator man called this a honeycomb radiator I would worry about the quality of his work. Buy him a jar of honey with the honeycomb in it.
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10-15-2015, 10:58 PM | #37 |
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10-15-2015, 11:35 PM | #38 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
yep not a honeycomb.....
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10-16-2015, 01:14 PM | #39 |
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Re: Leaky Rad
There's been SO MANY fin designs over the years. ALASKA RADIATORS once had fins that made the air go through the radiator on a 45 degree angle, for MAXIMUM distance travel & to dissipate more HEAT.
Lots of Model A problems can be avoided by BACK FLUSHING, once or twice a year. Flakes from the head & block, are a FOREVER problem. Bill W.
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10-16-2015, 01:56 PM | #40 | |
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Re: Leaky Rad
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Bill W.
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