What to do with bad radiators (original brass)

[JQ-72]

I just went through a stack of 4 flue radiators that I pulled off trucks I've parted over the years. They are not in the greatest shape and some have visible holes in the flues. My last trip scrap yard, I got $42 for a couple of junky 3 core radiators but I hate to scrap these bigger ones! Are just the tanks worth anything? Can the radiators be re-cored - expensive? Thanks for any help.

[Greasey Harley]

A new brass radiator is $600.
Will the local radiator shop buy them for cores?

[truckdude239]

my locl shop quoted me like 600 for recore my original bass rad that was leaking since i was going ls swap i just bought an alumina rad

[DeadheadNM]

I had an OEM Harrison 4 row re cored using the original tanks for my Blazer build - cost was about $450 I recall. Not cheap but it’s also not an ill-fitting reproduction piece.

[projectking]

Save the tanks, I had one re cored for $325

[bill3rail]

Get quotes on a re-core. See if anyone locally wants to buy one for a re-core. Maybe a few dollars over scrap price??

Bill

[dmjlambert]

I listed my used original radiator here on the forum in the parts section, and somebody bought it immediately and he paid more for shipping than for the radiator, if I remember correctly. I believe the radiators have value to somebody even if you don't plan to re-core it for your own use. That is true of most components off the trucks, including stuff that you think is junk. Some of the stuff is not reproduced, such as if you're getting rid of the original air cleaner and spacer that goes under it, and replacing the flame arrestor and hose that goes between the spacer and flame arrestor on the valve cover, somebody needs that. Or the boring stock valve covers, if you're getting some chrome ones, somebody will be happy to have the stock ones. Even old wiring harnesses are useful. So, I recommend list everything you can and offer it up for others to buy or have. I even had somebody happy to take my windshield that was delaminating around the edges.

[demian5]

Yeah I bought an aluminum 3 row for my truck when I rebuilt the engine and trans. Now i just have the old 4 core brass and copper sitting in the box the new radiator came in.

[hjewell2]

I had mine recored and never looked back,, OEM tanks are thicker than the repops. Here is the kicker I have a 2 row 1 inch tubes champion and the oem 4 core for my 70 truck, using the same electric fans , the fans pulled better air flow on the brass. The brass set up would hold both boxes that the fans came in stuck to the rad and had to pull them away from the rad. When the champion rad was in place with the same fans it would not hold the boxes to the rad, as if the fans were not even on. They would hold shop towels up to it but not much needed to remove them from the rad. So I stuck with the brass set up. keeps the truck right at the T-stat . The champion would rise on the temps at idle it would rise ten degrees easy, going down the road it would slowly drop back to the T-stat temp. Ya the motor set up for racing but like to cruise to local car shows in our town, so no it doesn't get alot of miles.

[eric_cspan]

Recoring can cost over $500 and even new brass/copper ones are $450+.
That's why aluminum has gotten so popular now! And are great for all but the original concours fanatics.

[WorkinLonghorn]

Take them to a good shop and ask about them. In May my original brass radiator blew up at the seams after a very bad overheating. I found a place that soldered it all up and put a brace on it for $45. Works like new.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by eric_cspan

Recoring can cost over $500 and even new brass/copper ones are $450+.
That's why aluminum has gotten so popular now! And are great for all but the original concours fanatics.

I bought a ColdCase radiator awhile back and it works just fine. Fit in the factory location like original. I like it when engineering works.

[eric_cspan]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I bought a ColdCase radiator awhile back and it works just fine. Fit in the factory location like original. I like it when engineering works.

[DeadheadNM]

Where are ColdCase radiators produced?

[eric_cspan]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Where are ColdCase radiators produced?

We design, spec and test them here in the USA, employing over 30 people, but they are physically produced overseas.

We stand behind every single one with a lifetime warranty

[DeadheadNM]

Thank you for the follow-up

[D.PASSMORE]

Originally Posted by eric_cspan

We design, spec and test them here in the USA, employing over 30 people, but they are physically produced overseas.

We stand behind every single one with a lifetime warranty

Not trying to blow you up, just stating reality here. Life time warranties are great, but when you have to replace a item 3 times in 3 years because of inferior Chinese material is loathsome. The hassles for coordinating the replacement part, downtime of vehicle and labor time of the R&R makes an unpleasant story. I still search out NOS, OE or made in USA parts, but sometime the only alternative is to buy what is available. And, good luck finding a radiator repair shop in most areas anymore.

But thanks for being a vendor on this site and providing us with alternate means to drive our vintage stuff!

[eric_cspan]

Originally Posted by D.PASSMORE

Not trying to blow you up, just stating reality here. Life time warranties are great, but when you have to replace a item 3 times in 3 years because of inferior Chinese material is loathsome. The hassles for coordinating the replacement part, downtime of vehicle and labor time of the R&R makes an unpleasant story. I still search out NOS, OE or made in USA parts, but sometime the only alternative is to buy what is available. And, good luck finding a radiator repair shop in most areas anymore.

But thanks for being a vendor on this site and providing us with alternate means to drive our vintage stuff!

That's usually not the case for our radiators. And you can't compare overseas $100 radiators to ours. Take a look at one at one of the shows we attend. Not all are created equal with junk materials. Trust me. There is no comparison.

If you'd rather search and pay for the NOS or Original stuff, by all means, go for it. Exactly what you said, we are just offering a reasonable option for those looking for replacements.