Rebuild or Replace
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
Rebuild or Replace
Just left the local radiator shop discussing my 1976 4 core copper rad. Was quoted $415.00 dollars for a brand new core and tank swap.
I am stuck between replacing new with after market or a rebuild. It is an original Harrison rad.
Your comments and advice are appreciated.
Dano,
I am stuck between replacing new with after market or a rebuild. It is an original Harrison rad.
Your comments and advice are appreciated.
Dano,
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: London England
This is a hard question as a lot of it comes down to how good your rad shop are.
I've had rads rebuilt and they've been nicer than a new reproduction but some peoples reconditioned units I've seen look like a bubba recon.
I've had rads rebuilt and they've been nicer than a new reproduction but some peoples reconditioned units I've seen look like a bubba recon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Many here report great success with aluminum radiators as an upgrade. Your quoted recore price approaches the cost of a "premium" aluminum unit, and exceeds the cost of a couple "brand x" units which several forum members have recommended as excellent. I have also seen all copper/brass new rads on eBay advertised for similar dollars. On my 1977 I will try one of the "brand x" units which got multiple positive ratings in various posts. Then again, if the Harrison logo on the tanks is important for you, unless you can find NOS, a recore is the best solution.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 3
From: CA
While I haven't shopped recently for a re-core at a radiator shop, the price sounds high. I had mine recored when I installed a new motor. A local shop installed a new core using my original tanks. While the core was new, it's shape was not the exactly the same as the original. For this reason I had a hard time properly installing the upper and lower radiator seals. When I was done it looked like Bubba was there helping me. Even thought I got it to seal, I soon discovered my new motor required a little more cooling than stock so I purchased a DeWitts exact fit aluminum radiator. Not only was it an exact fit but it brought more cooling efficiency than a newly recored radiator from a local shop. To make this long story short, if I was going to spend $415 on a radiator I would look and see what DeWitt has to offer for your vehicle. Good luck.
Last edited by 71406; Apr 17, 2010 at 07:32 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,831
Likes: 36
From: Cedar,BC
That's not all that bad.Around here last summer I was quoted anywhere from 700 to 900 bucks for a recore.
New brass/copper rads weren't available then for some reason,so I ended up using a place on the mainland for $450.Unless you want to keep it very original,I would just get a new one or if you have a few extra to spend I would recommend an aluminum unit from DeWitt.
New brass/copper rads weren't available then for some reason,so I ended up using a place on the mainland for $450.Unless you want to keep it very original,I would just get a new one or if you have a few extra to spend I would recommend an aluminum unit from DeWitt.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
If you want to keep your car to be original, get your Harrison recored. My Dad worked at Harrison Radiator in the late 50's... Check around for a good price, but make sure you get quality. Otherwise, there are a lot of radiators out there. Aluminum with their larger tubes are great and so are good 4 row radiators.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 829
From: WI
Yeah, I kinda wonder if you get a new tank, then is it a "Harrison" radiator. Does it leak or is it plugged? If you are going for a totally stock car, then find out what the new tank will look like (EXACTLY). Will the markings be removed. If that's the case you gotta wonder if you've already tipped the scales of originality.
OTOH, if originality is important, but not highly critical, going with a repro radiator and keeping your original (for the next owner), may be a viable option. I'm trying to keep my car as original as possible so for me it would come down to how original the repaired radiator would be vs. the cost and apearance of a replacement be it aluminum or copper. I see your dilema. Good luck,
Mark G
OTOH, if originality is important, but not highly critical, going with a repro radiator and keeping your original (for the next owner), may be a viable option. I'm trying to keep my car as original as possible so for me it would come down to how original the repaired radiator would be vs. the cost and apearance of a replacement be it aluminum or copper. I see your dilema. Good luck,
Mark G
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
Thank you all for the great advice.
Further inspection shows the rad was repaired at one time. The tanks were off before. I also observed the left lower side of the tank was deformed as if it was 'beat in'. It appeared someone forced the rad in position. There were no leaks at this location. The rad is a 27 1/2 inch 4 core. It would be very tight to begin with. I do have air conditioning as well.
Please list vendor(s) that would provide a quality product that will fit exactly?
Dano,
Further inspection shows the rad was repaired at one time. The tanks were off before. I also observed the left lower side of the tank was deformed as if it was 'beat in'. It appeared someone forced the rad in position. There were no leaks at this location. The rad is a 27 1/2 inch 4 core. It would be very tight to begin with. I do have air conditioning as well.
Please list vendor(s) that would provide a quality product that will fit exactly?
Dano,
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
Thank you all for the great advice.
Further inspection shows the rad was repaired at one time. The tanks were off before. I also observed the left lower side of the tank was deformed as if it was 'beat in'. It appeared someone forced the rad in position. There were no leaks at this location. The rad is a 27 1/2 inch 4 core. It would be very tight to begin with. I do have air conditioning as well.
Please list vendor(s) that would provide a quality product that will fit exactly?
Dano,
Further inspection shows the rad was repaired at one time. The tanks were off before. I also observed the left lower side of the tank was deformed as if it was 'beat in'. It appeared someone forced the rad in position. There were no leaks at this location. The rad is a 27 1/2 inch 4 core. It would be very tight to begin with. I do have air conditioning as well.
Please list vendor(s) that would provide a quality product that will fit exactly?
Dano,
Having a local radiator shop recore your radiator is a fine idea, but unless they use our copper/brass core it will still be wrong as far as looks. We are the only company that sell a correct copper brass core. For the money I would go with the aluminum direct fit. Keep the tanks off your original radiator. You'll be happy with the looks and performance.
Thanks
John
http://www.dewitts.com/pages/product...asp?ProdID=281
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
After much review of others posts on this website and some outsourcing I deceided to order a DeWitts Direct Fit rad for my 1976 4 speed. I have found this website invaluable as it assited in my purchase. I thank you all for your present and past experiences.
Dano,
Dano,