Anybody ever "fix" a honeycomb radiator core?

[95ttoplt1]

I'm trying to avoid the recore, but my radiator that wasnt leaking when I took it into the shop is "beyond repair". Kinda baffling and I havent looked yet myself. But I was wondering has anybody had luck with fixing the core its self?

My reasons are two fold

1. its the stock radiator and the honeycomb looks cool. It would be the only non-stock part on my truck.

2. My main reason, I'm a cheap-azz LOL.

[John-T-53]

I agree the old cores look cool. These are v-cell cores.

Hopefully they didn't put more than 4# on it and blow it out.

Most shops don't want to work on these tyes of cores, mainly because nobody knows how they're made or how to fix 'em. The old guys that do know how to work on 'em are reluctant too. When you heat one area up, the areas adjacent melt and then start to leak. You'll be chasing a leak indefinitely.

The stop-leak additives only make it worse as they plug up the narrow passages.

I nursed my old radiator along for 8 years until I got tired of pulling it every few months to have another leak fixed. Then finally went for the modern recore. It looks better than expected but best of all it'll be trouble free for 20 years at least.

p.s. if you want a new reproduction v-cell core, Maine Radiator sells them for about $1k!

[95ttoplt1]

I agree the old cores look cool. These are v-cell cores.

Hopefully they didn't put more than 4# on it and blow it out.

Most shops don't want to work on these tyes of cores, mainly because nobody knows how they're made or how to fix 'em. The old guys that do know how to work on 'em are reluctant too. When you heat one area up, the areas adjacent melt and then start to leak. You'll be chasing a leak indefinitely.

The stop-leak additives only make it worse as they plug up the narrow passages.

I nursed my old radiator along for 8 years until I got tired of pulling it every few months to have another leak fixed. Then finally went for the modern recore. It looks better than expected but best of all it'll be trouble free for 20 years at least.

p.s. if you want a new reproduction v-cell core, Maine Radiator sells them for about $1k!

Yeah not gonna do the 1k radiator, I only paid 900 for the truck!!

I did read a method of repairing them is to fill the open cell that is leaking with lead to seal it up. After hearing about the heat distribing other areas, I might try a little JB weld if there is justa few weepers, and run a non pressure cap.

[Desotodav]

We have a guy here in Oz that fixes the honeycomb cores... http://www.ftrs.com.au/index.php .

He's not far from my place if you needed me to do the running around for you though. I have a couple of spare radiators that don't owe me much, but they need core work too.

It would probably work out fairly costly (freight wise) to get it over and back from/to your location.

Desotodav

[95ttoplt1]

We have a guy here in Oz that fixes the honeycomb cores... http://www.ftrs.com.au/index.php .

He's not far from my place if you needed me to do the running around for you though. I have a couple of spare radiators that don't owe me much, but they need core work too.

It would probably work out fairly costly (freight wise) to get it over and back from/to your location.

Desotodav

Awesome, thanks for the offer!

I just went out and filled it and I have maybe three little graviry leakers. I'll give the jb weld a shot and see how it works out and then go from there.

[greg g]

clean the leaking area as gently as possible, a small brass brush like for cleaing welding torches works good or like a .22 rifle, then use a cotton swab with some denatured alcohol or other solvent maybe brake clean as it evaps quickly.

Then put a piece of tape on the back side of the cell and fill the cell with the JB Weld or other epoxy.

I used some Marine stuff I found at the hardware store that comes in a dual syringe deal that squirts out equal amts as you push the plunger. mix it well and pack it in good and let it cure. If it needs a bit more should it shrink when it cures, mix a bit more to top off the cell.

If you are unsure just which cell is leaking do like a square of 4 around the suspect one.

With the capacity of the radiator 20 or 30 plugged cells won't make any difference.

[TodFitch]

The Brass Works in Atascadero now claims to have honeycomb cores but they aren't cheap either.

You say it wasn't leaking when you took it into the shop. Is it leaking now that they've played with it?

If not leaking then I assume that it is just clogged up and not cooling properly. It might be possible using some anti-scale chemicals and back flushing to clean it up some.

In my case, I ended up have a modern core installed because my budget wasn't going to cover an authentic reproduction. Most people don't even notice and many that do understand the issues.

[95ttoplt1]

clean the leaking area as gently as possible, a small brass brush like for cleaing welding torches works good or like a .22 rifle, then use a cotton swab with some denatured alcohol or other solvent maybe brake clean as it evaps quickly.

Then put a piece of tape on the back side of the cell and fill the cell with the JB Weld or other epoxy.

I used some Marine stuff I found at the hardware store that comes in a dual syringe deal that squirts out equal amts as you push the plunger. mix it well and pack it in good and let it cure. If it needs a bit more should it shrink when it cures, mix a bit more to top off the cell.

If you are unsure just which cell is leaking do like a square of 4 around the suspect one.

With the capacity of the radiator 20 or 30 plugged cells won't make any difference.

Great! I will give that a try.

The Brass Works in Atascadero now claims to have honeycomb cores but they aren't cheap either.

You say it wasn't leaking when you took it into the shop. Is it leaking now that they've played with it?

If not leaking then I assume that it is just clogged up and not cooling properly. It might be possible using some anti-scale chemicals and back flushing to clean it up some.

In my case, I ended up have a modern core installed because my budget wasn't going to cover an authentic reproduction. Most people don't even notice and many that do understand the issues.

It has one maybe two leaks now, looking inside it looks pretty clean like they dunked it or something.

Edited November 10, 2011 by 95ttoplt1
speeel chunk