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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Radiator Replacement

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Old Mar 4, 2025 | 09:12 AM
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Radiator Replacement

I have a 1969 F600 that has a leak out of the topside of the radiator. I am looking to replace it but I'm having a hard pinning down the best replacement radiator for that year and model. It appears one of the previous owners attempted to fix the leak with some JB weld but it is no longer holding. Any help is greatly appreciated and bonus points for links to the part I'm looking for.


 
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Old Mar 4, 2025 | 09:53 AM
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Chip out the JB Weld and try and solder the seem. The other option is find a radiator shop and see what they say. That unit is way better than most you can buy today. Nice looking truck by the way!
 
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Old Mar 4, 2025 | 12:02 PM
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Thank you! Also thank you for the info and suggestions. I called a radiator shop and they told me I would save some money if I remove the radiator myself and bring it in and then from there they would be able to let me know if it was repairable. Now I just have to figure out how to get this beast out. It's my first time owning such a large truck that at first glance it is kind of intimidating haha and with it being such an old vehicle it's hard to find any videos or info to work on them. I did purchase some pretty detailed shop manuals so hopefully they help. Anywho thanks again.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2025 | 12:16 PM
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You might want to log into the Large Truck Forum here on the website, they may be able to help you more with working on your truck. This forum is for F100 to F350 pickups. They have a lot of good information on the F600 trucks. Large Truck - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
 
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Old Mar 4, 2025 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Green72F250
You might want to log into the Large Truck Forum here on the website, they may be able to help you more with working on your truck. This forum is for F100 to F350 pickups. They have a lot of good information on the F600 trucks. Large Truck - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Thank you for that info and link. I will definitely give that a try as well.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2025 | 12:55 PM
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One other thing, if I may:

If/when you take it a local radiator shop (if you're lucky enough to find one), they may look at it and just say, "We can't fix it", as more than likely they won't be able to find the core for it, so they won't want to touch it.

Or, they may do a pressure test, and then tell you they can't fix it (see above), and charge you $25-$50 for the pressure test.

BUT, if you tell them you know where the leak is, and are just looking to have only that spot re-soldered, and aren't looking for perfection, or a warranty, and are willing to sign a piece of paper stating such....then they may be willing to look at it!

It all depends on the shop, and the mood they're in that day, sorry to say.

Good luck! Hope it all turns out for you.

Jim
 
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Old Mar 4, 2025 | 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Jim_K
One other thing, if I may:

If/when you take it a local radiator shop (if you're lucky enough to find one), they may look at it and just say, "We can't fix it", as more than likely they won't be able to find the core for it, so they won't want to touch it.

Or, they may do a pressure test, and then tell you they can't fix it (see above), and charge you $25-$50 for the pressure test.

BUT, if you tell them you know where the leak is, and are just looking to have only that spot re-soldered, and aren't looking for perfection, or a warranty, and are willing to sign a piece of paper stating such....then they may be willing to look at it!

It all depends on the shop, and the mood they're in that day, sorry to say.

Good luck! Hope it all turns out for you.

Jim

What he said. If its an old time shop you will have better luck!
 
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Old Mar 9, 2025 | 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted by johnjord
I have a 1969 F600 that has a leak out of the topside of the radiator. I am looking to replace it but I'm having a hard pinning down the best replacement radiator for that year and model. It appears one of the previous owners attempted to fix the leak with some JB weld but it is no longer holding. Any help is greatly appreciated and bonus points for links to the part I'm looking for.


I had a similar issue with a leak in mine, if it’s the original brass radiator it’s worth repairing. A good radiator shop will unsolder the tanks and rod the tubes. Mine was nearly plugged. Still cost 1/2 what a quality new replacement would have
 
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Old Apr 9, 2025 | 06:52 AM
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In case anyone was curious, I was able to find a great radiator shop local to me. They were able to chip off the jb weld, re-solder the crack, pressure test the radiator and fix a few other minor leaks (probably caused when i took it out of the truck haha), cleaned out all the tubes, put it back together and paint it all for $200 saving me a few hundred buck from having to buy a new one or rebuild the one i had.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2025 | 08:20 AM
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Great news, now onto the next challenge. So what are your plans for the truck?
 
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Old Apr 9, 2025 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by johnjord
In case anyone was curious, I was able to find a great radiator shop local to me. They were able to chip off the jb weld, re-solder the crack, pressure test the radiator and fix a few other minor leaks (probably caused when i took it out of the truck haha), cleaned out all the tubes, put it back together and paint it all for $200 saving me a few hundred buck from having to buy a new one or rebuild the one i had.
Hey! That's great to hear!

Also great to hear that some "old school" radiator shops are still out there, as they're getting harder and harder to find.

Congratulations!
 
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