The Ford Barn

Bob Bidonde · 10-23-2014, 07:23 AM

I have two nice original 1930 - '31 radiators, but both have a leaking tube in the front row of their cores. Repairs were attempted on both radiators, so the fins in front have been cut away in a 1" diameter area.

Has anyone made a repair of original fins by snipping some off of one radiator to restore another?

Brentwood Bob · 10-23-2014, 12:38 PM

Could the top tank be taken off to expose the tubes then replace the missing fins?
weighing the expense against a recore by Berg? I guess the spot is wrong for covering with a national club radiator badge?
I have seen some radiator repair work done by a now retired local area radiator guy and there is no substitute for experience.

ursus · 10-23-2014, 05:17 PM

My 30-31 radiator had rock damage that took out the fins on a one inch area of the middle of the front of the radiator. It also caused a leak that was repaired on the road by pinching off the tube. I cleared away the smashed fins and McGyvered in some fin sections cannibalized from a junked radiator. The fins were sealed in place with some carefully placed J-B weld and given a touch of paint. Now it is hard to spot the repair. My wife questioned why I saved that junk radiator.

Bob Bidonde · 10-24-2014, 07:31 AM

Ursus,

I am thinking about doing the same thing. Recently I did some repair work on the fins of a repro radiator, and I found that POR-15 Chassis Black epoxy paint is an excellent way to bond new fins into place.

leo · 10-24-2014, 07:47 AM

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I agree with ursus, did the same thing and I dare you to find the places repaired......

10-23-2014, 07:23 AM	#1
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4,113	Radiator Fix I have two nice original 1930 - '31 radiators, but both have a leaking tube in the front row of their cores. Repairs were attempted on both radiators, so the fins in front have been cut away in a 1" diameter area. Has anyone made a repair of original fins by snipping some off of one radiator to restore another? __________________ Bob Bidonde

10-23-2014, 12:38 PM	#2
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,420	Re: Radiator Fix Could the top tank be taken off to expose the tubes then replace the missing fins? weighing the expense against a recore by Berg? I guess the spot is wrong for covering with a national club radiator badge? I have seen some radiator repair work done by a now retired local area radiator guy and there is no substitute for experience.

10-23-2014, 05:17 PM	#3
ursus Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,462	Re: Radiator Fix My 30-31 radiator had rock damage that took out the fins on a one inch area of the middle of the front of the radiator. It also caused a leak that was repaired on the road by pinching off the tube. I cleared away the smashed fins and McGyvered in some fin sections cannibalized from a junked radiator. The fins were sealed in place with some carefully placed J-B weld and given a touch of paint. Now it is hard to spot the repair. My wife questioned why I saved that junk radiator.

10-24-2014, 07:31 AM	#4
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4,113	Re: Radiator Fix Ursus, I am thinking about doing the same thing. Recently I did some repair work on the fins of a repro radiator, and I found that POR-15 Chassis Black epoxy paint is an excellent way to bond new fins into place. __________________ Bob Bidonde

10-24-2014, 07:47 AM	#5
leo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 734	Re: Radiator Fix Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I agree with ursus, did the same thing and I dare you to find the places repaired......