Replace or Repare Damaged Radiator

[greedy geezer]

I will Buy a replacement because I need the Truck ,But was wondering is there any value in the old one should I keep it ? maybe get it fixed some Time anybody fix them any more Check out the damage what do you think
gg

[In The Ten Ring]

That looks rough! Somebody with experience chime in?

[truckdude239]

At the going rate of copper my recore was priced at close to 500 buxs i ordered an aluminum from summit fkr 300 you can get a stock replacement for around 200. That one is plain done and gone

[Freddo]

To repair that radiator, a shop would likely need to plug off about 15 to 20 of the damaged tubes where the fan went into them. Hard to tell from the picture if that spot in the middle where the fan went deep took out some of the second row of tubes. I've seen radiators as bad or worse than this repaired, but if you are paying a radiator shop $50-$75 per hour to do the work, it would add up fast & with a 40 year old radiator that is possibly half plugged up anyway, you may not end up with much when they are done. A recore is expensive, but many of the aluminum replacements need to be tweaked to fit, or the rubber mounts need to be removed & replaced with ? to fit.( I had to use a cut up bicycle inner tube...another guy posted that he cut off a piece of hose to pop in to the mounts. You may need to modify the mountings on your shroud as well...Just be prepared to do some surgery on the aftermarket replacements. Expensive as recoring your radiator would be, at least you could be pretty certain that it would fit.

[greedy geezer]

Thanks Guys I'm gonna replace just don't want to through it away or scrap it if its something I'd want later or someone else would want to restore for stock restoration project I use this truck for a driver and a business so need it reliable and running as a goal not 100% stock , anyway I'm gonna hang it up in my shed for now
thanks again
gg

oh and By the way this radiator had had the sides plugged and was holding water I never saw the damage due to the shroud, I ran it all fall & winter stayed cool ,I was getting after an oil leak along the timing cover when it was found

[Thanos]

Always replace. Go aftermarket they are normally way better.

[Chevy Fan Always]

If the tanks are not bad I would advertise it for sale. Somebody that is doing an original resto would like them I'm sure.

[In The Ten Ring]

Oh yes, good idea! Original parts can be fixed.

[67ChevyRedneck]

You're going to find that the majority of stock replacement radiators have plastic tanks. If you're OK with that, then go replacement.

[special-K]

Always replace? Replacement is always better? Is this April fools day? I would say the opposite is closer to fact. I would re-core that sooner than I'd replace with a blowout special piece of crap they sell today. If there is any life in those Harrison tanks at all, especially a 4-core, they need to be saved. Even if you buy a new temporary unit (let's see one of those last 40+ years), do not scrap that radiator.

That, "It's cheaper to buy a new one than fix the old", mentality has taken a turn around the next bend. You toss out good repairable stuff to replace with inferior junk these days. The new thing is (to me), "If you can afford to fix it at all, you are better off than buying new...even if it costs more".

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by special-K

Always replace? Replacement is always better? Is this April fools day? I would say the opposite is closer to fact. I would re-core that sooner than I'd replace with a blowout special piece of crap they sell today. If there is any life in those Harrison tanks at all, especially a 4-core, they need to be saved. Even if you buy a new temporary unit (let's see one of those last 40+ years), do not scrap that radiator.

That, "It's cheaper to buy a new one than fix the old", mentality has taken a turn around the next bend. You toss out good repairable stuff to replace with inferior junk these days. The new thing is (to me), "If you can afford to fix it at all, you are better off than buying new...even if it costs more".

+1! Be fore scoring a like new 4-core from Randy in the parts section, I made all my own repairs to the original 2-core. You'd be surprised what a little acid and some 60/40 lead/tin solder with a propane torch can seal up! I accidentally drilled a 3/8" hole right through the bottom of the tank when I reamed out the holes for a rebuilt the core support. I flattened out a piece of copper pipe and made a patch, still holdin tighter than dicks hat band! ~Ghostrider~

[greedy geezer]

Originally Posted by special-K

Always replace? Replacement is always better? Is this April fools day? I would say the opposite is closer to fact. I would re-core that sooner than I'd replace with a blowout special piece of crap they sell today. If there is any life in those Harrison tanks at all, especially a 4-core, they need to be saved. Even if you buy a new temporary unit (let's see one of those last 40+ years), do not scrap that radiator.

That, "It's cheaper to buy a new one than fix the old", mentality has taken a turn around the next bend. You toss out good repairable stuff to replace with inferior junk these days. The new thing is (to me), "If you can afford to fix it at all, you are better off than buying new...even if it costs more".

Yes I put an off the self one in for now I will hang the Chevy one in my shed with the water pump I ending up changing as well , I'll see how it works this summer and look into re coring at least get a price
gg

[greedy geezer]

Thanks Men You have given me good advise on all sides in the situation I'm in I have taken everyone's advise and the Truck is running Good ,Chevy Radiator stashed for now its been with the truck along time I'll get it fixed in the future Right, I have a running Truck Ready for business
gg

[stsalvage]

why are you taking the water from the top of the water pump and have the radiator one closed off.If you have AC.It will take for ever to get heat that way.The reason why you have a hose from the radiator to your heater core cus that's how you get Heat fast.

[stsalvage]

this is the picture of mine in my 1971 Cheyenne

Now the last 2 pictures are from a None AC truck that just runs a heater core hope you get the idea and the AC one had a Vacuum bypass valve that the one from the eng heater hose connects to

[Shady Rascal]

Originally Posted by Thanos

Always replace. Go aftermarket they are normally way better.

The sun has yet to rise on the day when a Chinese plastic and aluminum radiator can hold a candle to an original Harrison radiator that GM installed in these trucks.

Radiator shops can work wonders on original radiators, plus you're supporting your local economy by using a radiator repair shop.

My local guy has been fixing my crap for over 20 years. It doesn't cost much and you wind up with original quality.

[greedy geezer]

Most the Shops around Here that did Radiators are gone But I will start looking for one local

[greedy geezer]

Originally Posted by stsalvage

this is the picture of mine in my 1971 Cheyenne

Now the last 2 pictures are from a None AC truck that just runs a heater core hope you get the idea and the AC one had a Vacuum bypass valve that the one from the eng heater hose connects to

Hmmm I just put it back the way I took it apart , Ac is not working right now on list list , I will look at how you have it set up and see what I can find out
Thanks
gg

[special-K]

Originally Posted by greedy geezer

Yes I put an off the self one in for now I will hang the Chevy one in my shed with the water pump I ending up changing as well , I'll see how it works this summer and look into re coring at least get a price
gg

Yeah, I'm not saying I might not end up buying a replacement if I needed a radiator "like now". It's not like you pour coolant in the top and it runs out the bottom next week. In fact, one may last plenty long. But, new radiators are throw-away and old originals are rebuildable just like a QuadraJet carb. You just don't let that stuff go to scrap. If nothing else, someone will buy it if you decide it's more than you want to spend to redo.

We had Courtney's Radiator Repair right here in Mt. Airy till he retired a couple years ago. People came from all over to him. They don't make replacement radiators for everything out there. I'll have to find a new place to deal with before the need arrises.

[greedy geezer]

Originally Posted by stsalvage

this is the picture of mine in my 1971 Cheyenne

Now the last 2 pictures are from a None AC truck that just runs a heater core hope you get the idea and the AC one had a Vacuum bypass valve that the one from the eng heater hose connects to

Ohh yes Your Right I couldn't get the right fitting for the heater hose to the New Radiator so I pumped it this way so its okay Heat works good I will have to do some work on the AC find out why the compressor locks up when energized But not this month to many bills if this cause any problems I'll get the right fittings
thanks
gg

[Ironhorse]

Just my .02 cents but to chime in. I had a leaky 3 row rad in my truck, found a 4 row with minor issues and had it repaired for the install so went that route. Sold the 3 row to a fellow truck nut who had it repaired. Flash forward several years, working on my '71 Chevelle. 4 row Harrison had some leaks but the side tanks were good. Doing the full restore on the Chevelle I did not want an aluminum/plastic radiator and decided to have the 4 row Harrison re-cored. Almost within $60 (more) than a comparable alum/plastic. Total was $475 but local shop and 1 year warranty. Did not have to contact seller via email or phone, explain, get return authorization, pull it, ship it, wait for return, down time and re-install. But then I'm a die-hard old schooler who likes keeping the originals going if at all possible.

[Thanos]

Originally Posted by special-K

Always replace? Replacement is always better? Is this April fools day? I would say the opposite is closer to fact. I would re-core that sooner than I'd replace with a blowout special piece of crap they sell today. If there is any life in those Harrison tanks at all, especially a 4-core, they need to be saved. Even if you buy a new temporary unit (let's see one of those last 40+ years), do not scrap that radiator.

That, "It's cheaper to buy a new one than fix the old", mentality has taken a turn around the next bend. You toss out good repairable stuff to replace with inferior junk these days. The new thing is (to me), "If you can afford to fix it at all, you are better off than buying new...even if it costs more".

I buy radiators like Griffion or something aluminum large capacity and durable. I'm not sure what you assume when I say aftermarket is better however I just get 100% quality parts always.

Today I just bought commercial grade tire$ for my commercial grade rim$ Yea I never do it cheap I learned that doesn't work for me.

[Thanos]

Originally Posted by Shady Rascal

The sun has yet to rise on the day when a Chinese plastic and aluminum radiator can hold a candle to an original Harrison radiator that GM installed in these trucks.

Radiator shops can work wonders on original radiators, plus you're supporting your local economy by using a radiator repair shop.

My local guy has been fixing my crap for over 20 years. It doesn't cost much and you wind up with original quality.

"Created for racing, engineered for performance, and perfected over the last 30 years, Griffin radiators are the best in the business. Stemming from the grass roots days of circle track racing, Griffin products are 100% American made in Piedmont, South Carolina. Call us today 1-800-722-3723. "


I used one in my 87 buick GN running 10's in the quarter before I sold it years ago. Fantastic radiator ,good thing though my original one in my 72 looks brand new still.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Thanos

I buy radiators like Griffion or something aluminum large capacity and durable. I'm not sure what you assume when I say aftermarket is better however I just get 100% quality parts always.

Today I just bought commercial grade tire$ for my commercial grade rim$ Yea I never do it cheap I learned that doesn't work for me.

I didn't assume you said, "Always replace". You need to be careful when using absolutes like always. That word means absolutely every time and that is simply not true. Rebuilding a radiator is not going the cheap route, either. In fact, most people price replacement against rebuilding and go with replacement because it's cheaper.

I know all about Griffin radiators. I know the tanks are epoxied to the core, which is not repairable unless epoxy can fix it. I know it's hard to find a radiator shop willing to attempt a repair. They are brazed first, but why epoxy, too? They have been known to leak in a few years. One issue is they need to be grounded and many don't know that. Electrolysis will eat them up. Most everything is nice when it's new.

I've never been cheap when it comes to trucks, or pretty much anything. I'll do without before paying for cheap crap.