After market radiator?

[texas275]

I just found out that my radiator is rotted out.  I bought it used, as the one in my 53 B4B was missing. 

 

Does anyone know of one that will replace the originals with little to no fabrications?

 

The guy at the radiator shop is supposed to call me on what a re-core will cost, but I'm kinda scared $$$$$$!!   

 

Thanks, Tom

[B1B Keven]

If you don't want to go aftermarket, I have a good original honeycomb radiator I'll sell.

[Larry Leibhart]

I paid $750 for a recore.

[B1B Keven]

I don't want that much!

[texas275]

B1B Kevin I sent you a message.

 

$750.00 SCARES me to death. If the re-core here is that much, I will absolutly be doing something else.

 

There are some after markets on Ebay between the 160.00-250.00 range on Ebay.  Also saw a NOS on Ebay for $750.00.

[1941Rick]

Try Champion Cooling.....just put one in my 41.....once I got the right size....just make sure you confirm the measurements with them

[B1B Keven]

You've got a PM.

[John-T-53]

I think my recore cost about $500 a couple years ago, but if done right, the recore is the way to go - its a 20+ year solution plus it fits.

[pflaming]

Why can't one rod and restore a radiator (DIY) himself? Seems for even $500 one could learn.

[Don Coatney]

Dam near impossible to rod out a honeycomb radiator. Better off to re-core it.

 

[David A.]

I just spent $1600.00 to have my B2B radiator recored. $1000 for the original style core, and $600 labor. He said if he used a non original style core, he could do it for $1000. Since I am planning on showing my truck, I had to go with the original. I guess I'll need to find a new hobby pretty soon!

[ggdad1951]

I just spent $1600.00 to have my B2B radiator recored. $1000 for the original style core, and $600 labor. He said if he used a non original style core, he could do it for $1000. Since I am planning on showing my truck, I had to go with the original. I guess I'll need to find a new hobby pretty soon!

nah just a money tree!

[1941Rick]

I freeked at a quote of 600 to recore...that is why I went to an aluminum one for 230.00.

Could not see spending 1600.

[ggdad1951]

if I had to recore FEF's rad, I'd pop for the spendy honeycomb....I'd have to...being a resto you have to.  Considering what I paid for the heater control valve....

[pflaming]

Every time I ask a question I learn something. Evidently the honeycomb radiator is a bit more modern than mine. What's more, I did not know the difference, thanks Don.

[Dave72dt]

I'm more inclined to believe it's been replaced

[52b3b Joe]

The honeycombs radiators are the older style in the mopars (like our trucks should be). You're is more modern. Mine was recored sometime down the line too and looks like the one in your truck Paul. 

[Merle Coggins]

When I had mine done I got a quote up around $800 for the honeycomb type core and just under $400 for a more modern tube and fin core. I got the less expensive version and I'm quite pleased with it. It's not something anyone would notice unless you really look close.

 

Merle

[48Dodger]

If you're in it to show it....the judges look at the hard to fix or replace parts first.

If you're gonna race it.....the judges look to see who comes in first.

If its a parade runner.....have at it...the judges are glad you took the time to show up.

 

48D

[texas275]

The guy here in Forney said it would be in the $400.00 to $500.00 dollar range for the re-corehe couldn't get over how massive the radiator was.  Thats what I paid for the whole truck, minus the radiator, so I will not be doing the re-core.

 

I will now have to decide to go with a diffrent original or after market.  It will all come down to price.  I'm not looking for a concourse correct restore.  It's already a 53, with a 50 nose, and the motor came out of a 51 Bussiness Coupe, but an original radiator would look better.

 

I dont know..decisions, decisons....

[John-T-53]

I just spent $1600.00 to have my B2B radiator recored. $1000 for the original style core, and $600 labor. He said if he used a non original style core, he could do it for $1000. Since I am planning on showing my truck, I had to go with the original. I guess I'll need to find a new hobby pretty soon!

Did you get the core from Maine radiator? Supposedly they're one of the only (if not THE only) vendor for new obsolete cores. I think the original core type in our trucks (and most 50s vehicles) is called a v-cell core.

I remember asking the local radiator shop about cores from Maine and they said it would cost the same as you paid here, all in.

[texas275]

He didn't say where they found the core, but it took them all day on the phone to find one that would fit.  He said that it would be a little smaller than the original, since they couldn't find one that thick.

[John-T-53]

That jogs my memory even more. Now I remember my guy saying the same thing. He said if you're really aiming for perfection, the original core could be sliced across the core face and that installed over the thinner core on one side.

 

Too much to deal with, IMO....I'm just glad I got the recore done and will never have to worry about it again for a long time.

[texas275]

Just to update this thread.  I found a radiator that I think will work.  It's from Champion, but they did not have a direct replacement for my 53 B-4-B.  I searched all of thier rads and found a 3 row listed for a 47-49 Plymouth.  The main diffrence is that it is about 2 inches shorter on the sides and about 6 inches shorter from top to bottom.  The inlet and outlets are the right size and in the right places.  I used a couple pieces of metal to extend it to the rad mount bracket.  I have it mounted to the bracket but havent gotten it installed in the truck yet.  Hoping to do that this weekend. 

[texas275]

UPDATE.....Got the rad in the truck, but because of the size diffrence I could not use the stock fan.  It hit the hoses. So I took the fan off and put an electric on.  I got it wired and started, for the first time in who knows when, and the radiator works great.