Radiator re-core question

[SmittyMHS 603]

Anyone have one done lately? Just wondering what the average cost would be.

[TOMMY R 24]

Unless it's a classic car or truck or a piece of equipment made from copper most of the radiators are throw away  plastic tanks & aluminum cores . Shop around for new or take a chance on a used in the junk yard.

[1LtCAP 4,262]

9 hours ago, SmittyMHS said:

Anyone have one done lately? Just wondering what the average cost would be.

if your vehicle's new enough that it's got the plastic/aluminum radiator, just replace. recoring is more expensive these days. i haven't had a rad recored or retanked in over 20 years.

[SmittyMHS 603]

3 hours ago, TOMMY R said:

Unless it's a classic car or truck or a piece of equipment made from copper most of the radiators are throw away  plastic tanks & aluminum cores . Shop around for new or take a chance on a used in the junk yard.

Lets call it a new classic. Its a '87 Buick Regal Type T. Still has a real radiator in her. I can retro fit one of these plastic fantastic beer can coolers in her, and people say they cool better and are lighter (= faster) which I would consider if I was still racing her. But have heard bad things can happen to plastic tanks if you blow a head gasket under 20lbs of boost. Which I'm not gonna do anymore with her. But it's something to ponder. I guess I'll do the retro and be done with it. I just hate this throw away society we've become.

 

[Zeke 5,504]

On 2/6/2020 at 10:34 AM, SmittyMHS said:

Lets call it a new classic. Its a '87 Buick Regal Type T. Still has a real radiator in her. I can retro fit one of these plastic fantastic beer can coolers in her, and people say they cool better and are lighter (= faster) which I would consider if I was still racing her. But have heard bad things can happen to plastic tanks if you blow a head gasket under 20lbs of boost. Which I'm not gonna do anymore with her. But it's something to ponder. I guess I'll do the retro and be done with it. I just hate this throw away society we've become.

 

Crack an egg in it..... don’t do that

[Oakridgefirearms 224]

Call Midland Radiator in Garfield. They recore radiators and they are usually better than the original. I don't know about car radiators, but for construction equipment they are either cheaper than new or around the same, but you'll end up with a better radiator.

[1LtCAP 4,262]

3 hours ago, Zeke said:

Crack an egg in it..... don’t do that

with pepper. that trick bought me 5 months on my 64 galaxy500xl convertible. 

[SmittyMHS 603]

For construction equipment I would. I called a local guy that said $300 and it wouldn't cool as well as a new aluminum one. But I hate the plastic end tanks. Found a all aluminum one on line for under $200. Still looking into that. I also found Holly has one also for about $50 more but available at AutoZone so I could pick it up there.

[fishnut 2,358]

http://www.griffinrad.com

Take a look at Griffin, they might have one that's all metal. 

[TOMMY R 24]

You can also go to places like JEGS , SUMMIT , any speed shop and get all steel or aluminum Big Bucks , one other thing use old school GREEN ANTIFREEZE all that new permanent crap is caustic as hell on your system .