Refurbish Radiator or Replace?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 24
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From: SoCal
Refurbish Radiator or Replace?
So I'm getting my '64 roadster back on the road after about 4 years of hibernation... One issue I have is that my radiator is corroded and leaks (slightly). The car is mostly original (drivetrain, etc.) but it's does have a few aftermarket parts that are easily swapped back out (hurst shifter and repro knockoffs). I want to keep it as original as possible, but it is a driver. As far as I know, the radiator has never been replaced.
According to my mechanic, one option is to have him send it to his radiator repair guy who can refurbish it at about the same cost or less than a new one. Does anyone have any experience with a rebuilt radiator? If so, would you recommend it versus getting a new one?
PS, I'm a newbie here, but I did search the forum for previous posts on this topic and didn't come up with much. Thanks in advance for your help.
According to my mechanic, one option is to have him send it to his radiator repair guy who can refurbish it at about the same cost or less than a new one. Does anyone have any experience with a rebuilt radiator? If so, would you recommend it versus getting a new one?
PS, I'm a newbie here, but I did search the forum for previous posts on this topic and didn't come up with much. Thanks in advance for your help.
Last edited by MrTwister; Nov 29, 2017 at 08:36 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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You can’t properly repair a stacked plate Harrison aluminum radiator. You can bandaid repair them but they won’t have the cooling capicty of a new one. Just throw it in the trash and buy a new Dewits unit
Race Director
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Welcome to the CF. Factory correct rads are aluminum and are NOT repairable due to the material and construction. The tubes will be corroded etc. As 99% of us who owner these cars replace the rads with a DeWitts exact/correct radiator and never look back. They do require flushing every few years. DeWitts is state of the art in construction and metal technology. Go to their web site and learn all the details. Don't waste your money on copper/brass replacement rads. They are proven to not be as efficient as aluminum. 
Dennis
Dennis
Le Mans Master
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agreed, or a 'BeCool' unit, both brands are top notch in my book.
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
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From: Colorado Springs Colorado
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Now that the radiator issue is resolved, post some pictures of your car.
Team Owner
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Army
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From: SE Pa
Team Owner
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Army
really ?? ............... https://becool.com/pages/aluminum-radiators
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: SE Pa
agreed, but once you go aftermarket the only thing that really matters is performance and I'll put BeCool right up there as well. It had no problems keeping my 715 HP '86 Monte in check ........
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Birmingham Mi
To the OP, if I remember correctly I think Dewitt's has offered a sale in the past right after the first of the year. Maybe others will jump in and confirm. So it might be beneficial to wait.
Le Mans Master
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From: SE Pa
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: New Baltimore Michigan
Ahh another 64 Roadster 
I was just looking at my radiator & I have been pondering this question myself. I trust the wealth of knowledge on this site. Note to self Dewitts, new years!!
I was just looking at my radiator & I have been pondering this question myself. I trust the wealth of knowledge on this site. Note to self Dewitts, new years!!