JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

prostreetC-10 · 08-19-2011, 09:37 AM

Got a killer deal on an aluminum radiator but it received some very minor damage during shipping. It's on the motor side and I'm thinking about just repairing it as apposed to going through the hassle of sending it back and all that is involved. I will be compensated for the inconvenience. There are a couple of very small tears in 2 coolant channels that can be reshaped with easy and sealed up. I have used JB for years and years but have recently been using epoxy on my carbs for sealing well caps and base ports. It's hard to go by the labels on a lot of this stuff because they say things like this:

Great for:
metal
wood
aluminum
plastic
toe nails
hair extensions
flat tires
broccoli and cauliflower
and on and on

Was just wondering if one might bond better to aluminum than the other. Thanks!

*Shane* · 08-19-2011, 10:06 AM

why not just take it to a radiator shop and have them weld it up. i'd trust a weld over epoxy any day.

eagleuh1 · 08-19-2011, 10:15 AM

Get it aluminum brazed. DocsBlocks sells brazing rod just for radiators, air coolers ....I just bought a torch and rod kit to make up AC lines from them. Good luck with it however you go. I know JB weld works great. I used it to fix an aluminum block on a Troy built tiller in a high stress area( Carb mount) Its held for 7 years no problems. Its an aluminum block too. Jim

cdowns · 08-19-2011, 10:39 AM

a job worth doing is worth doing right

68gmsee · 08-19-2011, 10:42 AM

JB Weld is great but I still wouldn't trust it on a radiator except in an emergency or temporary basis. There's a lot of heat, moisture and pressure built up in a radiator which can accelerate the probablility of failure.

I've used it on exhaust manifolds and engine blocks but in this case, I'd trust a braze or weld before epoxy. Not saying it wouldn't hold, just prefer not to take the chance of getting stranded in the middle of a busy highway in 100 degree weather.

eagleuh1 · 08-19-2011, 10:53 AM

Ahh, thats what AAA is for.

1970 Bowtie · 08-19-2011, 10:59 AM

I'm going to try some on broccoli and cauliflower.I'll get back to you on how it works out.

68gmsee · 08-19-2011, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagleuh1

Ahh, thats what AAA is for.

For sure. However, it would still be a long wait while sitting in heavy traffic in cities like Houston or Austin with the temp at 105°. Also, I believe they will only tow to a shop???

brad_man_72 · 08-19-2011, 11:12 AM

solder?

prostreetC-10 · 08-19-2011, 01:06 PM

Well maybe we need to switch gears here. I do have a full size torch with brazing tips. Am I missing and easy fix here? What would I need to do?

Side note: I did fix a nice hole in a trans pan caused by a rock I ran over with JB weld and it never failed.

prostreetC-10 · 08-19-2011, 01:14 PM

Guess I should also clarify that this is in my Camaro test car for my Holley carbs that will see 10-15 min use at a time and ceratinly will not be on the road in an temps over about 85*. Will also not be more than 1/2 mile from my house. Not saying that is a good reason to half-a$$ though!

08-19-2011, 09:37 AM	#1
prostreetC-10 My Carbon Footprint Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orygun Posts: 5,527	JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy Got a killer deal on an aluminum radiator but it received some very minor damage during shipping. It's on the motor side and I'm thinking about just repairing it as apposed to going through the hassle of sending it back and all that is involved. I will be compensated for the inconvenience. There are a couple of very small tears in 2 coolant channels that can be reshaped with easy and sealed up. I have used JB for years and years but have recently been using epoxy on my carbs for sealing well caps and base ports. It's hard to go by the labels on a lot of this stuff because they say things like this: Great for: metal wood aluminum plastic toe nails hair extensions flat tires broccoli and cauliflower and on and on Was just wondering if one might bond better to aluminum than the other. Thanks! __________________ A quick "pedalfest" *Still getting loose (carb test)* 496 Initial fire up video!

08-19-2011, 10:06 AM	#2
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy why not just take it to a radiator shop and have them weld it up. i'd trust a weld over epoxy any day.

08-19-2011, 10:15 AM	#3
eagleuh1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russellville, Arkansas Posts: 1,699	Re: JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy Get it aluminum brazed. DocsBlocks sells brazing rod just for radiators, air coolers ....I just bought a torch and rod kit to make up AC lines from them. Good luck with it however you go. I know JB weld works great. I used it to fix an aluminum block on a Troy built tiller in a high stress area( Carb mount) Its held for 7 years no problems. Its an aluminum block too. Jim

08-19-2011, 10:39 AM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy a job worth doing is worth doing right __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-19-2011, 10:42 AM	#5
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy JB Weld is great but I still wouldn't trust it on a radiator except in an emergency or temporary basis. There's a lot of heat, moisture and pressure built up in a radiator which can accelerate the probablility of failure. I've used it on exhaust manifolds and engine blocks but in this case, I'd trust a braze or weld before epoxy. Not saying it wouldn't hold, just prefer not to take the chance of getting stranded in the middle of a busy highway in 100 degree weather.

08-19-2011, 10:53 AM	#6
eagleuh1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russellville, Arkansas Posts: 1,699	Re: JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy Ahh, thats what AAA is for.

08-19-2011, 10:59 AM	#7
1970 Bowtie It's all in the timing Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lake Mary,Florida Posts: 600	Re: JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy I'm going to try some on broccoli and cauliflower.I'll get back to you on how it works out. __________________ The Dude Abides. ---------------------- I aint sayin, I'm just sayin.

08-19-2011, 11:12 AM	#9
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy solder?

08-19-2011, 01:06 PM	#10
prostreetC-10 My Carbon Footprint Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orygun Posts: 5,527	Re: JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy Well maybe we need to switch gears here. I do have a full size torch with brazing tips. Am I missing and easy fix here? What would I need to do? Side note: I did fix a nice hole in a trans pan caused by a rock I ran over with JB weld and it never failed. __________________ A quick "pedalfest" *Still getting loose (carb test)* 496 Initial fire up video!

08-19-2011, 01:14 PM	#11
prostreetC-10 My Carbon Footprint Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orygun Posts: 5,527	Re: JB weld or solvent resistant epoxy Guess I should also clarify that this is in my Camaro test car for my Holley carbs that will see 10-15 min use at a time and ceratinly will not be on the road in an temps over about 85. Will also not be more than 1/2 mile from my house. Not saying that is a good reason to half-a$$ though! __________________ A quick "pedalfest"* *Still getting loose (carb test)* 496 Initial fire up video!



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