Leaky radiator

[bergie]

I am ready to setup my f1 engine after a rebuild so I have removed all the front body parts for better access. Now I need to remount at least the radiator so I can run the engine to make the necessary adjustments. The old radiator leaks at the bottom just above the lower tank. I would like to seal those leaks so I can use the old radiator and not risk the new one while I am still working around the front. Any ideas?

[drolston]

I had a similar problem of weeping along the edge of the top tank. I brushed it clean and painted on a layer of FlexSeal. You know, the stuff on TV that seals a screen door in the bottom of a boat. It has held up for two years with a four pound pressure cap.

[TJ]

In addition to the idea of Flex Seal, I was thinking of using POR-15 to seal it up.

[Tim Ayers]

Solder Seal has been around for almost 100 years. It works well for rad leaks. It's a powered that you put into the coolant. Worked every time I've had to use it.

[solidaxle]

It's hard to advise without looking at it. Assuming it's copper, why not heat it with a torch and resolder? I have had success with relocating my outlet fitting on a Walker rad. Just don't go to aggressive with the heat and loosen everything up.

[bergie]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I was thinking of trying to get some two part epoxy pushed into the suspect areas. All the additives that I investigated require that the engine be run to circulate the powder. Since the engine is not ready to run at this point I decided they weren’t viable solutions. However I have both Flexseal and POR already. I will post how it worked. Thanks again, BergieB.

[19Fordy]

Since your engine is a fresh rebuild don't cut corners at this stage of the game as you want it to run as efficiently and cool as possible. Take your radiator to a repair
shop and have it 'rodded out", dipped and cleaned and then resoldered. Also get a pressurized cap while you're making improvements.
You will avoid problems later on. Like they say, "Pay me now or pay me later".