Need opinion on radiator, quick! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jmil1974 · 10-21-2002, 01:38 PM

My radiator has a slightly larger than pinhole leak and has had for a while. It's been sitting for basicaly almost 2 years. Should I go have it boiled out and sealed right or just patch it and run with it? It'll cost me $85 to have a shop totally fix/restore it and proably $15 for me to clean it, flush it, seal it, and paint it. Will boiling it out make a big difference in cooling? What do y'all think?

**Yukon Jack** · 10-21-2002, 01:42 PM

At that price you might want to consider just replacing it. I priced a radiator at Radiator.com for a big block engine of our era at $131.00. No expierence with them or their quality though. Supposedly they have links to local shops throught the country so you can get them same day sometimes.

jmil1974 · 10-21-2002, 02:02 PM

Yeah, I checked there but the extra cash will leave me no $cushion for my motor swap and I KNOW things are gonna pop up.

Stout72 · 10-21-2002, 06:11 PM

You could try and find a good mom & pop radiator repair shop and see if they can fix it. Mine had a pinhole in it & the guy soldered it up, then tested it for me, but it leaked. He didn't charge me for the repair. I ended up buying a remanufactured radiator for $90. As to boiling out, I've heard many shops don't bother anymore since it's an encumbrance on them to deal with the hazardous materials issue.

71GMC_3/4T · 10-21-2002, 07:11 PM

I agree with the new radiator route. You shouldn't have to worry about that for a couple more decades.
Get a couple more quotes if you decide to have it boiled and repaired. I got two quotes for my gas tank. One shop was 100+ and the other place was 30 bucks. They did a great job too!

6869704X4 · 10-21-2002, 10:28 PM

I did the el cheapo muratic acid cleaning trick. Found lots of new leaks. Thats some strong stuff.

jmil1974 · 10-22-2002, 08:36 AM

I decided to go ahead and do it right for $85. They'll take it apart, boil it out, fix all leaks and re-weld everything and repaint. A brand new one would have been optimal but that $50-75 saved will really help me at this point. PLus, I think it will basically be as good as new for a long time.

Thanks, guys!
Jason

**Yukon Jack** · 10-22-2002, 09:41 AM

I know about that saving money thing. I'm in the same boat as you and I'm gonna just have my radiator cleaned rather than replaced. Best deal I have found here is right about $70. Not too bad I guess.

Yellow Cheyenne · 10-22-2002, 09:50 AM

I've got a 4 core radiator that someone had replaced in a pickup I parted out. Was going to use it on mine (I justified buying the parts pickup by planning to use the radiator). When I was preparing to install it, I noticed it doesn't have the 3/4" heater hose connection on the right side tank. It's in good shape, didn't appear to leak, but the left tank is dented at the top end of the tank. $50.00 plus shipping (would guess shipping would be around $15.00 to $20.00. It is a replacement and doesn't appear to be very old.

jmil1974 · 10-22-2002, 12:03 PM

Well crappo. I would've but I already dropped mine off yesterday to be redone and am picking it up today. Thanks anyhow, Jack.

10-21-2002, 01:38 PM	#1
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	Need opinion on radiator, quick! My radiator has a slightly larger than pinhole leak and has had for a while. It's been sitting for basicaly almost 2 years. Should I go have it boiled out and sealed right or just patch it and run with it? It'll cost me $85 to have a shop totally fix/restore it and proably $15 for me to clean it, flush it, seal it, and paint it. Will boiling it out make a big difference in cooling? What do y'all think? __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900

10-21-2002, 01:42 PM	#2
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	At that price you might want to consider just replacing it. I priced a radiator at Radiator.com for a big block engine of our era at $131.00. No expierence with them or their quality though. Supposedly they have links to local shops throught the country so you can get them same day sometimes. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

10-21-2002, 02:02 PM	#3
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	Yeah, I checked there but the extra cash will leave me no $cushion for my motor swap and I KNOW things are gonna pop up. __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900

10-21-2002, 06:11 PM	#4
Stout72 Not my good side. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fairfield, California Posts: 222	You could try and find a good mom & pop radiator repair shop and see if they can fix it. Mine had a pinhole in it & the guy soldered it up, then tested it for me, but it leaked. He didn't charge me for the repair. I ended up buying a remanufactured radiator for $90. As to boiling out, I've heard many shops don't bother anymore since it's an encumbrance on them to deal with the hazardous materials issue. __________________ 72 Chevy K20 Custom Camper, 350/350, 4" lift, dual shock suspension front & rear. Daily driver and a work in progress. 00 Suburban LT 90 Camaro RS 79 Yamaha XS1100 Special (Ol' Reliable)

10-21-2002, 07:11 PM	#5
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	I agree with the new radiator route. You shouldn't have to worry about that for a couple more decades. Get a couple more quotes if you decide to have it boiled and repaired. I got two quotes for my gas tank. One shop was 100+ and the other place was 30 bucks. They did a great job too! __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

10-21-2002, 10:28 PM	#6
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	I did the el cheapo muratic acid cleaning trick. Found lots of new leaks. Thats some strong stuff. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

10-22-2002, 08:36 AM	#7
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	I decided to go ahead and do it right for $85. They'll take it apart, boil it out, fix all leaks and re-weld everything and repaint. A brand new one would have been optimal but that $50-75 saved will really help me at this point. PLus, I think it will basically be as good as new for a long time. Thanks, guys! Jason __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900

10-22-2002, 09:41 AM	#8
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	I know about that saving money thing. I'm in the same boat as you and I'm gonna just have my radiator cleaned rather than replaced. Best deal I have found here is right about $70. Not too bad I guess. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

10-22-2002, 09:50 AM	#9
Yellow Cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eastern Kansas Posts: 488	I've got a 4 core radiator that someone had replaced in a pickup I parted out. Was going to use it on mine (I justified buying the parts pickup by planning to use the radiator). When I was preparing to install it, I noticed it doesn't have the 3/4" heater hose connection on the right side tank. It's in good shape, didn't appear to leak, but the left tank is dented at the top end of the tank. $50.00 plus shipping (would guess shipping would be around $15.00 to $20.00. It is a replacement and doesn't appear to be very old. __________________ '72 Cheyenne. AC, PS, PB, Rear slider window, tilt. Light yellow (grapefruit yellow according to new sales literature from '72) '56 Chevy short step V-8 (My dad bought it new!!) '70 Olds 442 convertible '70 Olds Rallye 350

10-22-2002, 12:03 PM	#10
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	Well crappo. I would've but I already dropped mine off yesterday to be redone and am picking it up today. Thanks anyhow, Jack. __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900



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