The Ford Barn

CWells · 07-18-2023, 05:47 PM

Has anyone used Epoxy Resin or other adhesive to repair a hole in the upper or lower tank of a flathead radiator rather than soldering the repair? If so, how did it work? I have a hole in the lower tank of my 36 radiator where a petcock once was and would like to patch it with a piece of brass sheet. Curtis Wells

Karl · 07-18-2023, 06:58 PM

I've used epoxy resin to repair a broken dental syringe. I reattached the handle with it . We autoclave after use each time to 130C and has held together for the last 5 years. So will probably withstand the heat but solder is so easy ,quick and proven so maybe better to go straight to that

1948F-1Pickup · 07-18-2023, 09:33 PM

I'd be concerned about the heat with the epoxy.....

pistonbroke · 07-18-2023, 09:48 PM

I have had good luck using J B weld on many radiators with holes or slit seams and corroded tubes. Tim

ford38v8 · 07-19-2023, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1948F-1Pickup

I'd be concerned about the heat with the epoxy.....

If it got as hot as Karl's 130C, I'd be more concerned about the engine.

19Fordy · 07-19-2023, 08:23 AM

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Under pressure, the top and bottom tank will flex and the Epoxy " fix" will leak.

However, you could give it a try and see what happens. Just keep your eye on the temp. gauge.

tubman · 07-19-2023, 09:14 AM

All I know is thay have made astonding advances in epoxies and adhesives over the last several years. Think about the body panel adhesives currently available.

woodiewagon46 · 07-19-2023, 09:48 AM

Well, not a brass radiator tank, but along the same lines. My son had an Isuzu Rodeo and had a cracked plastic radiator top tank. He used JB Weld and it lasted four years until he sold the car. Might still be good for all we know. What do you have to loose?

Tony, NY · 07-19-2023, 12:08 PM

The 2 part epoxy stick. Have had great results with it. JB weld and Gorilla glue are a couple makers.https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-42425...250399734&th=1

big job · 07-19-2023, 02:07 PM

On a Model T the overflow tube is on the bottom of the top tank and fell out losing all the coolant (on the) road so I stuffed wooden matches in the hole got some water and made it home. As we all know the T,s run almost boiling but I epoxied the two part 5 min epoxy and that was like 5 yrs ago. So it does work..

RalphG · 07-19-2023, 02:14 PM

I have patched a pinhole leak in radiator cores and top tank with JB weld and had satisfactory results.

GB SISSON · 07-19-2023, 08:27 PM

I too have had good luck with JB weld. Mine was on the core of an aluminum radiator that contacted the fan. Ugly, but after some big loads up my hill I poked it with a steel pick and found it to be quite solid while hot. Has never leaked.

drolston · 07-19-2023, 08:56 PM

I had a weeping along the top tank edges and painted on some of the liquid FlexSeal. You know, the loud Patch, Seal and Repair guy on TV. It can stand the heat and is flexible. It has held up for four years with a 4 lb pressure cap.

corvette8n · 07-20-2023, 07:14 AM

I would try soldering it. My shop teacher alway said “remember it has to be physically and chemically clean before you solder”. (Wire brush area and flux)

07-18-2023, 05:47 PM	#1
CWells Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bolivar, MO Posts: 22	Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank Has anyone used Epoxy Resin or other adhesive to repair a hole in the upper or lower tank of a flathead radiator rather than soldering the repair? If so, how did it work? I have a hole in the lower tank of my 36 radiator where a petcock once was and would like to patch it with a piece of brass sheet. Curtis Wells

07-18-2023, 06:58 PM	#2
Karl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manawatu, New Zealand Posts: 1,416	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank I've used epoxy resin to repair a broken dental syringe. I reattached the handle with it . We autoclave after use each time to 130C and has held together for the last 5 years. So will probably withstand the heat but solder is so easy ,quick and proven so maybe better to go straight to that __________________ Such a fine sight to see-Its a Girl, My Lord, in a Flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me.

07-18-2023, 09:33 PM	#3
1948F-1Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Socal Posts: 795	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank I'd be concerned about the heat with the epoxy.....

07-18-2023, 09:48 PM	#4
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 485	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank I have had good luck using J B weld on many radiators with holes or slit seams and corroded tubes. Tim

07-19-2023, 08:23 AM	#6
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Under pressure, the top and bottom tank will flex and the Epoxy " fix" will leak. However, you could give it a try and see what happens. Just keep your eye on the temp. gauge.

07-19-2023, 09:14 AM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank All I know is thay have made astonding advances in epoxies and adhesives over the last several years. Think about the body panel adhesives currently available.

07-19-2023, 09:48 AM	#8
woodiewagon46 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 1,555	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank Well, not a brass radiator tank, but along the same lines. My son had an Isuzu Rodeo and had a cracked plastic radiator top tank. He used JB Weld and it lasted four years until he sold the car. Might still be good for all we know. What do you have to loose?

07-19-2023, 12:08 PM	#9
Tony, NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Capital of Corruption , NY Posts: 811	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank The 2 part epoxy stick. Have had great results with it. JB weld and Gorilla glue are a couple makers.https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-42425...250399734&th=1

07-19-2023, 02:07 PM	#10
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank On a Model T the overflow tube is on the bottom of the top tank and fell out losing all the coolant (on the) road so I stuffed wooden matches in the hole got some water and made it home. As we all know the T,s run almost boiling but I epoxied the two part 5 min epoxy and that was like 5 yrs ago. So it does work..

07-19-2023, 02:14 PM	#11
RalphG Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sask. Canada Posts: 2,424	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank I have patched a pinhole leak in radiator cores and top tank with JB weld and had satisfactory results. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/roosty6/videos

07-19-2023, 08:27 PM	#12
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,942	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank I too have had good luck with JB weld. Mine was on the core of an aluminum radiator that contacted the fan. Ugly, but after some big loads up my hill I poked it with a steel pick and found it to be quite solid while hot. Has never leaked. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

07-19-2023, 08:56 PM	#13
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank I had a weeping along the top tank edges and painted on some of the liquid FlexSeal. You know, the loud Patch, Seal and Repair guy on TV. It can stand the heat and is flexible. It has held up for four years with a 4 lb pressure cap.

07-20-2023, 07:14 AM	#14
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,954	Re: Using epoxy resin on a radiator lower tank I would try soldering it. My shop teacher alway said “remember it has to be physically and chemically clean before you solder”. (Wire brush area and flux)