BobT-47P15 Posted May 18, 2018 Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 My original radiator developed a leak in the upper left corner, back side......and began leaking onto my garage floor. I finally drained it and removed it from the car. Took it to our local old timey radiator shop......the same fellow has been there since I moved here in 1968. We visited a bit a couple days ago when I took the rad in.....said he is now 73 and plans to continue on for a while. He called me yesterday and said it appears the rad can be repaired.....so that's what I will do. I have another rad from a 1950 or so Plymouth, which has a different top tank arrangement due to being a pressurized system. The shop said the bottom tank on that rad leaks and would need to be fixed before use. If I ever have to use it, I will have my top tank attached to it for non pressure and because it has the mounting units for those little metal fins that mount atop the P15 radiators. I have the fins, but not the rubberized piece that attaches to the fins. Those pieces can be reproduced using some rubberized material, but I don't recall where to get it. I think greg g has a pattern for the rubber piece.......he gave me one once but not sure I can find it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted May 18, 2018 Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 My radiator shop called yesterday that mine has been repaired this too is an old time shop, lots of 60's cars there all the time. Cost: $65.00. Seems fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazyK Posted May 18, 2018 Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 21 minutes ago, pflaming said: My radiator shop called yesterday that mine has been repaired this too is an old time shop, lots of 60's cars there all the time. Cost: $65.00. Seems fair. I would say very fair, last one I had repaired cost me 3 times that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dartgame Posted May 18, 2018 Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 I took mine to a local shop that’s been there for many years to be repaired or recored- they claimed they could not fix it, and then told me a recore would be $700 Ouch !!!!! I bought an AL radiator instead for 165 delivered via ebay. Works fine. Copper/brass radiators are a small fortune anymore - at least in Chicago area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted May 18, 2018 Report Share Posted May 18, 2018 Shop called me, radiator is ready. Went to pick it up and was told, there is nothing wrong, they did a bath check for air leaks under pressure. The cost to me, ZERO MONEY! FREE. Now that IS rare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT-47P15 Posted May 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2018 (edited) My shop told me a new core would cost between 3 and 4 hundred dollars....if needed. Out of curiosity, I asked if there are any other radiator shops in our town nowadays. He said one small shop had closed, but there is now a place owned by a large company called LKQ, which also owns several salvage yards. A couple days ago, I stopped by a small auto restoration shop to see a fellow who works there -- to inquire where they get replacement radiators when needed. They usually buy from Champion Radiator -- getting an aluminum rad for something in the two hundred to three hundred dollar range. I think the Plymouth one was priced at $223. I'm glad mine can be repaired. I really prefer the original look and the fact it is black to match other things under the hood. As opposed to a nice, shiny silver aluminum one which would really stand out. Whatever my guy charges will probably be reasonable.....and worth it to me Edited May 19, 2018 by BobT-47P15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ward Duffield Posted April 2, 2020 Report Share Posted April 2, 2020 I would be very thankful if someone can point to a pattern or template for the above-mentioned rubber pieces (MoPar P/N 973 582 radiator seal): "The shop said the bottom tank on that rad leaks and would need to be fixed before use. If I ever have to use it, I will have my top tank attached to it for non pressure and because it has the mounting units for those little metal fins that mount atop the P15 radiators. I have the fins, but not the rubberized piece that attaches to the fins. Those pieces can be reproduced using some rubberized material, but I don't recall where to get it. I think greg g has a pattern for the rubber piece.......he gave me one once but not sure I can find it now. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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