I noticed my radiator was leeking today, small hole on the backside of it.So I caled the radiator shop here in maryville,TN. They said I would have to buy a new one,that these are not rebuilable. Just wondering if this was true or if they were just trying to make more money off of me. They wanted 375.00 for the new one. Does this sound right to anybody?

 

I don't see why it can't be fixed, it is brass. If it was aluminum, that would be true. Either they were clueless, or lazy it would seem.

 

Small hole in back side ...WHERE....... If it is OEM then a new tank would be wise. Ihave used Ford ...lasted a year and 1 day just past the warranty. I now have a lifetime warranty.......VISTEON of Brazil they make for several other outlets/brand names ie Modine, DPI, VALEO, GDI, CSF. Check out where the replacement is made Brazil is the best right now. Ford .......Checkoslovakia and Poland suck......

One more post and you can put truck info into a signature.........Yipee no more hunting or guessing.

 

It is right in the center of the radiator if that helps. I don't know if it is original oem or not, I have only had the truck about a year or so. I will check monday and see where the new tank is made,Thanks for the info

 

I had a new radiator installed for $300, the old was OEM and too worn to repair, long term. It could have been repaired, but, the walls were too thin to last long.

 

about 6 years ago, i had the local shop make a new radiator for my 88. cost was around $200

 

not sure but can't they recore it? They did that several years ago on my 93

 

The radiators are brass, I have repaired mine myself several times with a small torch and solder.

New radiators are about 350, plus or minus a little since metal prices are through the roof.

 

I guess I need to try another radiator shop in another town. The one I went to told me it was a disposable tank. But if some of you guys had yours rebuilt, I dont see why I can't. I dont mind buying a new one, but it would be nice to be able to save a few dollars if possible. I got the feeling they were trying to bump me in the head with the new radiator price.

 

A recore is almost as much as a new radiator because of the labor involved.

Brass is not a through away radiator core.

 

I did not know it would cost as much to rebuild, maybe it would be better to go ahead and buy a new one then. Thanks for all of the help

 

It depends just how bad your radiator is. The typical fix of a brass raditor when a core starts leaking is to simply disconnect that core, and seal the ends. I have had good success doing that myself. If it is one of the inside cores, it is tough though, the outside ones are easy. I have even gotten JB Weld to do that for a good seal, but there are tricks to getting that to work. Must be clean, rip the old core out completely, then get the JB in, and take a hair dryer to it. The heat makes it flow, then it gets inside, and locks in. Best results are from doing all of this out of the vehicle.It doesn't tend to hold on the pinholes as well as capping the core like that. It depends on your pride and what you expect as to whether this a a good choice for you. My radiator has a slight seep in it, if I fill it all the way up, it will let it out, but if I leave it about 1" low, it doesn't leak...Never heats up much either. I can run for months and not add anything if I just leave it that little bit low. If I try to keep the radiator all the way topped off, I have to continually add.It's acting like an old farm tractor... Works like one too!