Bob's Component Resto, Part 1: The Radiator
Arron: Thanks for the nice reply. I kinda thought it would strike a chord with those of us who are finicky about our components and insist that they be restored correctly. Also, it makes you sleepy reading this stuff. Anyhow, here's the full breakdown:
Salvaged parts (two complete cores) $50.00
Radiator shop parts and labor $390.09
Krylon spray paint for overflow tank bracket $7.97
Keystone crimp clamps (2) $1.50
Grand Total $449.56
I had such fun doing this that I decided to do another one. The first thing to get destroyed in a front end accident is the radiator, and so I decided to build a reserve radiator while the cores are still available. Places like Glen - Ray Radiator cannot build one for you unless you supply your own core as they don't repop the upper tank. The core for the reserve radiator that I built was the LAST one in the entire 80 acre junkyard, so they're going fast. Here are two photos of my reserve radiator that I now have in long term storage. Note the correct part number on the top tank - unique to a 1974 six cylinder Duster and difficult to find. Also note the very rare correct radiator cap that came with my salvage yard core. These are nearly always missing - one of the first things to go in older vehicles. The vehicle that I took it off was very original and unrestored, aside from being destroyed in a crash, and I was able to score the nice original cap that came with the radiator, which I tested and it works. I even saved the four original mounting bolts with the wide captive washers that fasten the unit to the front of the car. Enjoy!
Arron: Thanks for the nice reply. I kinda thought it would strike a chord with those of us who are finicky about our components and insist that they be restored correctly. Also, it makes you sleepy reading this stuff. Anyhow, here's the full breakdown:
Salvaged parts (two complete cores) $50.00
Radiator shop parts and labor $390.09
Krylon spray paint for overflow tank bracket $7.97
Keystone crimp clamps (2) $1.50
Grand Total $449.56
I had such fun doing this that I decided to do another one. The first thing to get destroyed in a front end accident is the radiator, and so I decided to build a reserve radiator while the cores are still available. Places like Glen - Ray Radiator cannot build one for you unless you supply your own core as they don't repop the upper tank. The core for the reserve radiator that I built was the LAST one in the entire 80 acre junkyard, so they're going fast. Here are two photos of my reserve radiator that I now have in long term storage. Note the correct part number on the top tank - unique to a 1974 six cylinder Duster and difficult to find. Also note the very rare correct radiator cap that came with my salvage yard core. These are nearly always missing - one of the first things to go in older vehicles. The vehicle that I took it off was very original and unrestored, aside from being destroyed in a crash, and I was able to score the nice original cap that came with the radiator, which I tested and it works. I even saved the four original mounting bolts with the wide captive washers that fasten the unit to the front of the car. Enjoy!