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Thread: Radiator Adventure

  1. July 27th, 2007, 02:07 AM #1
    bstandley1
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    Unhappy Radiator Adventure

    As I was pulling into a local service station yesterday, a friendly patron remarked that I was losing coolant. Sure enough, green stuff was pouring out from the general vicinity of the radiator. Fortunately, I was only five miles from home, so I made back without incident. After waiting a couple of hours, I started my detective work. I checked the puller fan and the left side bracket for it looked uncomfortably close to the radiator. I pulled the fan and sure enough there was a leak directly behind the fastener holding the fan to the bracket. I quickly discovered why the radiator had contacted the bracket .... the bolt through the radiator tab had loosened .. a lot!

    The only upside to the loose bolt was not needing a socket to remove it. Never occurred to me that it would loosen up. I'd recommend you all take a look and see if your radiator is properly anchored.

    I'll find out tomorrow if the radiator can be repaired ...

    Bob
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  2. July 27th, 2007, 05:29 AM #2
    weaver
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    If your radiator is copper and brass they should be able to repair it. Over time any bolt can loosen up especially if the builder didn't use lock nuts. I recommend checking as many bolts as you can get to every year or so.

    Alan
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  3. July 27th, 2007, 05:38 AM #3
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    mgreene
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    If it's one of the Aluminum Griffin radiators, you're out of luck - not repairable as the core is epoxied, not brazed to the side tanks.
    '66 GT-350H : '69 428SCJ Mach 1
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  4. July 27th, 2007, 10:04 AM #4
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    dmswann
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    Cool Radiator

    Alan is right. My car was completed in 1998 and gets a thorough tightening at least annually. Luckly, I have a hydraulic lift in my garage which makes the chore pretty enjoyable. It typically takes two beers to complete since I both work and drink slowly.
    Dennis M. Swann
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  5. July 27th, 2007, 06:01 PM #5
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    pgermond
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    Sorry to hear of your misfortune. As Alan said, and is discussed frequently - everything needs to be tightened periodically.... even the least obvious. Almost lost a door once, and most recently a door latch!
    Phil

    427 Roadster, #4279436
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  6. July 28th, 2007, 04:45 PM #6
    bstandley1
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    Red face

    Just a quick update: my local radiator guy (Ed at Arctic Radiator Service in Bremerton WA) repaired the leak for $40. I was really surprised he could fix it .. he said it's tricky but doable. He also expressed his opinion about aluminum radiators in general (not very positive). Just for grins, I asked him how much a replacement copper and brass radiator would cost .... $900 ... ouch! I reinstalled it today, filled it up with coolant and took her out for a forty mile test ride. Didn't leak a drop! Life is good.

    Bob
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  7. July 28th, 2007, 05:31 PM #7
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    pgermond
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    The Cobra Gods smiled on you today $40 - Not too shabby.... you have to feel good about that!!!
    Phil

    427 Roadster, #4279436
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  8. July 29th, 2007, 12:22 AM #8
    bstandley1
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    They sure did! I'm one happy camper ..

    Bob
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  9. July 29th, 2007, 08:55 AM #9
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    ralphscott
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    Bob, what did he use or do to fix the radiator?

    Ralph
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  10. July 30th, 2007, 03:36 PM #10
    bstandley1
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    Ralph,

    According to Ed, he "wire brushed, etched, then used a special hot melt process" to fix the leak. Says he's been using for over twenty years. I found the following video on the internet that sure looks like how it's done ...

    http://www.muggyweld.com/1clip3.html

    Bob
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  11. July 30th, 2007, 05:33 PM #11
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    ralphscott
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    Thumbs up

    Thanks Bob pretty neat. It appeared very little heat was applied. I'll make a note to reference this clip for the future. If it fails let us know...

    Ralph
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  12. July 30th, 2007, 05:39 PM #12
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    Naumoff
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    I wonder what is in the Super Alloy 1...?
    Tony
    Unique 427 #4279480 Precision Engine Machine Company 427 s/o 483.47 stroker close ratio toploader 3.31 jag rear
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  13. July 30th, 2007, 05:56 PM #13
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    Talking

    Quote Originally Posted by Naumoff View Post
    I wonder what is in the Super Alloy 1...?

    ...........well.........we COULD tell you, but then we'd have to kill you.......
    Yeehah
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  14. July 30th, 2007, 07:32 PM #14
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    pgermond
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    Damn..... he made that look simple on the video. Good to know
    Phil

    427 Roadster, #4279436
    FE Specialties FE
    3:31 and Toploader (wide ratio)

    Roseville (N.Cal)
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  15. July 31st, 2007, 04:36 AM #15
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    Naumoff
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    Quote Originally Posted by TurnpikeBoy View Post
    ...........well.........we COULD tell you, but then we'd have to kill you.......
    JB weld works on the radiator too.
    Tony
    Unique 427 #4279480 Precision Engine Machine Company 427 s/o 483.47 stroker close ratio toploader 3.31 jag rear
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