Quoted $2,500 to recore and repair radiator in the '48 P15!

[68fastwilliams]

My jaw hit the floor when my trusted shop quoted me $2,500 to repair the original radiator in my fathers P-15 .

Can anyone point me to a shop with a more reasonable price?

I would like to keep the original appearance of the radiator. Is it possible to put an aluminum core in it and still keep the copper tanks?

Has anyone here had an aluminum one built to mimic the look of the original?

Can you buy a repro?

Sorry for the list of questions, this just really threw me

.

[TodFitch]

I heard copper prices were up. But that is far above what I would have expected based on my last radiator re-core job about 8 years ago.

[Niel Hoback]

It sounds like they just didn't have the guts to say they didn't want to do it. Maybe they thought you were crazy enough to go for it.

[68fastwilliams]

If it was another shop, I would say you are right, but I have delt with these guys for years. You may still be right but I can't imagine they would BS me like that.

[oldmopar]

I have one that is not leaking you can buy it for $1500.00 but you will have to take the whole car because I could not afford the $2500 for a new radiator.

[68fastwilliams]

For $2,000 could you deliver it to Detroit:D ?

[55 Fargo]

Last quote I was given was $350.00, copper is up, but not that much. $2500.00, thats ridiculous, go get some othewr quotes, even if you have to ship the rad across the USA, it may be worth it...........Fred

[Normspeed]

That sounds kinda crazy to me. Is yours plugged up, or leaking, or?

Keep an eye on ebay and craigs list, talk to a couple other shops, I think that's way outta line unless you're look for a perfect correct restored rad.

[NatesSedan]

i just purchased and installed one of the Z-line Walker radiators. Cost with shipping was $825. All brass and copper. Mine has a transmission cooler and is set up for AC as well. It really was bolt and go for me. Its alot of money but I wont have to mess with it again.

[Normspeed]

That sure sounds better than $2500. Nate, that 2 door really looks good. I had a back 2 door in H.S., before we knew they were called P15s.

[NatesSedan]

$2500 does seem awfully high. That would buy a parts car in these "parts"

The walker isn't exactly a repro either. It is beautiful...but not in a faithful reproduction kind of way. I will post a pic once I get a chance.

[68fastwilliams]

Yea, I'm looking for a replacement now, the goal for this car is to keep it as original as possible.

[Tony Cipponeri]

Hey, I just had a new radiator built from scratch for my 50 plymouth for 650. Where do you live? I doubt if the 50 radiator will fit in the p15, but I have a good one. Tony C

[58prostreet]

I think Bernbaum has them for around $500 plus freight...

Bob

[James_Douglas]

That $2500 sounds correct IF you want an original hexagonal honey comb style radiator. The cores are very expensive.

A regular core and re-do is about $400 to $600 for top notch copper.

James

[Ed Griffin]

$2,200 more and you could've gotten the radiator along with a car. You should be able to find one for much, much less than that price be it salvage, repair shop or by friend, etc. Way too many places to go and places to search before paying that amount of money. Honeycomb or not.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250260948756

[1948dodge]

About 5 years ago I got my stock radiator rebuilt using a all copper core

for my 1948 dodge. Cost about $ 450.00