sam knopik Posted March 25, 2012 Report Posted March 25, 2012 I'm looking to find out if what I was bid is in the ball park to re-core the radiator in my B-1-D... He wanted $700.... I hope that is WAYYYY too much or I may not be back on the road for a while! What do you think? Quote
Merle Coggins Posted March 25, 2012 Report Posted March 25, 2012 I was quoted around $800 to recore with a honeycomb type core, but it was down under $400 for a standard tube and fin core. I went with the cheaper version and couldn't be happier. Merle Quote
1950 Special Deluxe Posted March 25, 2012 Report Posted March 25, 2012 It was $300 for a complete re-core. Quote
John-T-53 Posted March 26, 2012 Report Posted March 26, 2012 I was in the $450 range I think for a modern tube and fin core. All is good. Quote
HanksB3B Posted March 26, 2012 Report Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) Here are my thoughts: 1. A radiator is probably second only to brakes as far as what is important to really do right. 2. Methods Materials and Metalurgy have vastly improved over the last half century. 3. Like Merle I wanted to "Restore to Original Honeycomb" but when I learned this would be less efficient and more expensive than the newer multi-core radiators, I did what Merle did and "settled". 4. I was not pleased with the job that a local shop did. They used some paint that never dried, they said they could not get a replacement for the somewhat rotted out lower cast iron pipe and so I could either throw a fit or just pay the $325 and make do with my re-cored radiator . After I installed it I made the mistake of using a 14lb pressure cap, swelling the tank and developing a "seeping" leak, not critical, but a pain in the arse to monitor and make sure it had water each time I wanted to drive my truck. I finally caved in and used some crap that looked like peat moss, Barr's Stop Leak I think and now my radiator tank doesn't leak. My truck runs fairly cool about 170 but I should really use a infrared heat gun to assure myself I didn't clog up holes in the water distribution tube (I don't think so, but it would be good to know) 5. Here's my point. The radiator is not something to take lightly and make do with. It's something to really Do Your Homework on and make the best possible choice within your budget, but pay more than you really want to if you have to. 6. My truck is pretty much stock in every way except when I can use a better fastener where the original failed. I do. I would not hesitate in the least to have a superior radiator than the one our trucks came with that were designed back in the late 30's early 40's. Yes they lasted but I'd bet original owners were always having them fixed. 7. If I had it to do over, I would find a fabricator that makes radiators for hot rods something like this one ($430) and have it fit into the original radiator frame. Hank Edited March 26, 2012 by HanksB3B Quote
White Spyder Posted March 26, 2012 Report Posted March 26, 2012 400 for a modern 4 core on my old tanks. Quote
sam knopik Posted March 27, 2012 Author Report Posted March 27, 2012 You guys who have re-cored with a tube and fin... were they able to use your original tank and bracket? The guy I called here said he had problems getting the older tanks onto the new cores... Quote
White Spyder Posted March 27, 2012 Report Posted March 27, 2012 They had no question on mine. It fit right in. Quote
1950 Special Deluxe Posted March 27, 2012 Report Posted March 27, 2012 On mine, he was able to use the originals. They painted it all black when they were finished. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted March 27, 2012 Report Posted March 27, 2012 Try a different radiator shop, if possible. My shop had no problem using my tanks on a new core. Merle Quote
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