Radiator corrosion

[38plymouth]

I have some green corrosion around the filler neck on my radiator. Also the radiator cap on my it is rusting which is causing an issue as well in that area. Then I discovered today that the drain valve in the bottom is slowly leaking. I want to pull the radiator and if I can find a company near me to boil it out and kind of restore it I'll do that but I'm having trouble finding anyone. Is there anything I can use when I have the radiator out that will clean that corrosion off so I can paint it and protect it again?

[Los_Control]

I always think the green corrosion is caused from leaking coolant ..... Is your radiator cap ready to be replaced?

 

 

Nice if you have a radiator shop local you can deal with .... they seem to be harder & harder to find.

Draining your coolant and filling it with straight vinegar is a possible solution.    Grocery stores sell it by the gallon labeled for cleaning purposes. Is a higher acidic then cooking or salad vinegar.

 

Run your engine through a few heat cycles, take it for a drive .... the mild acid will clean out your complete cooling system ... to a certain point.

Will not hurt it, in some cases may just not be strong enough .... while professional flushes may be too strong. .... Should clean the green off also while you are at it.

Then pull it & paint it.

 

The leaking petcock may just need to replace it or possible it has crud in it, soak & clean it & it may work fine again.

[38plymouth]

It's not leaking at the fill neck where the corrosion is, it's like a green powder. I did the vinegar flush last year for the inside, I'm more concerned with the outside corrosion. 

[kencombs]

Green in that area is likely due to the solder flux not being completely removed when the fill neck was installed.  Common thing.   Mild acid, little scrub brush and follow with a soda water flush and scrub should get it ready for paint if you wish.

[Los_Control]

I was not thinking the radiator leaking, more the gasket on the radiator cap.

Possibly steam leaking past the cap .....

Since it is a non pressurized system, hard to imagine a actual leak in the radiator at the neck.

So I picture steam or vapor leaking from the cap when it should go out the overflow tube ..... just a guess on my part.

[38plymouth]

Does anyone know what type of metal the radiator is made of on a 38 plymouth? 

[kencombs]

Quote

3 hours ago, 38plymouth said:

Does anyone know what type of metal the radiator is made of on a 38 plymouth? 

 

Some copper and  brass or alloys of those and connected with lead based solder.

[Marcel Backs]

That would be a honeycomb  rad core on your 38 which are a real $pain$ to replace which I can attest to having just done so in myD14 (new core is now horizontal fins like a GM core mated to MOPAR box header and re-soldered to my original tanks). Your rad tank and bracket will clean up very nicely with a small dremel and wire brush which can also be used to remove green corrosion stain . Your tank can be polished up to a shiny brass and then coated with VHT clear caliper aerosol paint. The bracket can be painted black with the same type of paint. Avoid applying too much paint to the core if any.  M