Can this be fixed on my rad????????
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: WInnipeg Mb
Can this be fixed on my rad????????
My rad is leaking like crazy. Its to the point where i have to add about 3 litres of antifreeze/water ever time i drive because it all leaks out into my garage after a drive. It's comming out of the bottem of where the upper rad hose goes in. That little elbow part. I think it's cracked on the underside of that elbow because there is a big leak line running down the rad from that area. If it is cracked there can it be patched up or welded back together, or do i have to get a new rad?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: Can this be fixed on my rad???????? (Justin79-L-82)
It can be soldered. If you have a 75-150watt solder gun or propane torch and flux core solder you can do the job yourself. But, most radiator shops can do it for $20. It takes about 10 minutes to run a new solder bead. It's diffictult the first time cause the solder tends to run out of the groove...it's an art of learning how fast you should move the torch and solder around the seam so that the solder melts and hardens fast enough. If you do it yourself you should soak towels in cold water and wrap around the radiator so that the radiator doesn't get hot anywhere else and melt any solder in the other seams...or fill it with water except for where you will be soldering.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Re: Can this be fixed on my rad???????? (Justin79-L-82)
that was the latest project I did on my 79. It is very repairable. You need to be careful in the removal of your radiator. When I do it again, i will be removing every engine accessory... its difficult to keep from tearing up your radiator without doing so.
Total cost of repair $30 at my dependable radiator shop.
Total cost of repair $30 at my dependable radiator shop.
