Radiator Shops
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See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,935
Likes: 699
From: Mariposa, Ca.
Radiator Shops
These are becoming a dying breed in some places, particularly in California. For instance, 30 years ago there were three in Santa Cruz, Ca., a few more in the smaller outlying towns nearby. Now, there is one, plus one in a town 20 miles away. It may pay you drive the few extra miles.
I bought member Christmas stock 66 radiator, an extra cooling one, to re-core. The local radiator shop in Santa Cruz wanted about 800.00 to re-core it, which is what prompted him to sell it to me. He opted for new. I actually had it done in nearby San Jose for less than 500.00, and was surprised, as S.J. Is a city of over a million, and that usually means higher prices. Prior to finding out their price, I was prepared to drive the aprox. 80 miles to a small agricultural town in the San Joaquin Valley, of only about a few thousand population, to get it done for 560.00.
It is now in my truck, and the old one awaits re-coring if needed in the future. But I honestly feel this will be the last time I’ll ever need to have it done during my lifetime, I’ll leave to my grandsons who will likely inherit the truck.
It pays to shop around, prices can vary widely .
I bought member Christmas stock 66 radiator, an extra cooling one, to re-core. The local radiator shop in Santa Cruz wanted about 800.00 to re-core it, which is what prompted him to sell it to me. He opted for new. I actually had it done in nearby San Jose for less than 500.00, and was surprised, as S.J. Is a city of over a million, and that usually means higher prices. Prior to finding out their price, I was prepared to drive the aprox. 80 miles to a small agricultural town in the San Joaquin Valley, of only about a few thousand population, to get it done for 560.00.
It is now in my truck, and the old one awaits re-coring if needed in the future. But I honestly feel this will be the last time I’ll ever need to have it done during my lifetime, I’ll leave to my grandsons who will likely inherit the truck.
It pays to shop around, prices can vary widely .
Thread Starter
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See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,935
Likes: 699
From: Mariposa, Ca.
It is even harder to find a chrome shop in Cali.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 469
Likes: 60
From: TN.
Not one to be had here in East Tenn. Two weeks ago my fan went into my rad. ripped a hole in the lower tank about one inch by two, decided to buy a new one, got a Champion alum. three core with trans cooler for 250.00, fit PERFECT.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 360
Likes: 15
From: Westfield, NY
Recore radiator
My sons 64 F350 had some leakage on his OEM Rad. We took it to a shop in Erie PA that has been in business forever. My dad did business with them and I do business with them. They are second generation guys. They fixed the original tank in his truck but were a little leary of how long it would last. My son drove it for a yr and decided to replace it. Bought a new Champion and that one lasted about 3 months when the upper hose blew open from having the wrong cap on it supplied by Champion, Long story short , Champion replaced it. Another yr goes by and the second Champ Rad springs a leak in the middle row. Totally non repairable. We wind up going to Erie and getting his OEM recored It was pressure tested after being fixed and works like a charm. This shop is constantly busy and does super work.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 32,028
Likes: 2,427
From: Upstate NY
My sons 64 F350 had some leakage on his OEM Rad. We took it to a shop in Erie PA that has been in business forever. My dad did business with them and I do business with them. They are second generation guys. They fixed the original tank in his truck but were a little leary of how long it would last. My son drove it for a yr and decided to replace it. Bought a new Champion and that one lasted about 3 months when the upper hose blew open from having the wrong cap on it supplied by Champion, Long story short , Champion replaced it. Another yr goes by and the second Champ Rad springs a leak in the middle row. Totally non repairable. We wind up going to Erie and getting his OEM recored It was pressure tested after being fixed and works like a charm. This shop is constantly busy and does super work.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 312
Likes: 12
From: Warsaw
The EPA has pretty much put radiator and chrome shops out of business. I'm fortunate to have a 3rd generation radiator shop 30 miles away in Sedalia that are car people that will go to great lengths to help keep classics on the road. I can get small items chromed in KC but bumpers have to go to St Louis.
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