Original Radiators

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ir3333

ir3333

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Have any of you guys had cooling problems with an original rad that has been re-cored.
I've done 2 and although they never really overheated they crept up at stop lights enough to worry.
 
Did you have factory shrouds on them and the factory suggested thermostat in the cars that crept up?
 
yes...components were all as new.The recored originals never cooled like a griffin.As said they never overheated but would climb to 205 / 210 in traffic.
but really the post is asking what others have found.
 
If the car has not boiled over, you do not have a problem.
 
Well that would have to be 260 degrees to boil over. which would be big problems for sure.
I know it's OK at 210 but those Griffins will sit at 180 indefinitely idling in extreme heat.
 
220 is normal operating temp sooo..... I wouldn't worry about 205/210! ...it's funny how people panic when their engine hits 200 degrees! 230/240 start getting worried!
 
Cores can have smaller tubes, fewer fins per inch etc.

You would need to have the correct spec to get the correct core.

IMHO too many people get too worked up if your engine runs higher that the thermostat set point. 210 is not too hot.
 
I'm not a big fan of taking radiators to radiator shops... I have a friend I think he's pushing into a 70s now but his first job was partners at a radiator shop and just to make sure they never came back they'd drop a small block of that stop leak in just before it left the shop...
I've heard the stories were areas are just plugged off to stop the leaking...
For what an aftermarket aluminum radiator cost these days I wouldn't even think of it...
 
nah...our guy is a 3rd generation Rad man.His family have rubbed elbows with Glen Rays family over the years.He is retired and just does specialty stuff now. He would never put out anything but the very best.
Couple of years ago he was finishing a hand made/recored honeycomb rad for an antique fire truck in England.
I really want to put the correct rad in my new project and was hoping you guys would say you all had excellent results with re cored stock rads!
 
ir3333 said:
nah...our guy is a 3rd generation Rad man.His family have rubbed elbows with Glen Rays family over the years.He is retired and just does specialty stuff now. He would never put out anything but the very best.
Couple of years ago he was finishing a hand made/recored honeycomb rad for an antique fire truck in England.
I really want to put the correct rad in my new project and was hoping you guys would say you all had excellent results with re cored stock rads!
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This sounds a lot like Don at EDJ radiator.

I had him install a high efficiency core in my factory ‘69 Dart radiator core a few years ago.

He did an incredible job. I highly recommend him.

Don’s sister and brother-in-law are my neighbours in Georgetown.
 
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I had the original 956 radiator recored for my Roadrunner, and run the stock shroud and 195 thermostat. No problems whatsoever.
 
In the last 20 years or so I’ve had 3 factory radiators recored with no issues but all 3 were done by old school radiator guys.
 
mcodecuda said:
In the last 20 years or so I’ve had 3 factory radiators recored with no issues but all 3 were done by old school radiator guys.
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for the last 40 years, and up u til about 6 months ago, every car enthusiast in my area all had their radiators redone by Larry Lake, who was around 80 when he retired. He would still be doing them if he hadn’t gotten an offer on his property that he couldn’t refuse. He did my radiator about a year ago, and it was $400. He knew just what it was, and what I wanted, and always made the customer happy. Those old school guys sure know their stuff!

1D070CC4-A690-4826-BD12-ED4F5E2DF67C.jpeg
 
ir3333 said:
Well that would have to be 260 degrees to boil over. which would be big problems for sure.
I know it's OK at 210 but those Griffins will sit at 180 indefinitely idling in extreme heat.
Click to expand...

To low of a coolant temperature is also not good. Most engines should see about 220 as a normal operating temp it helps keep the oil cleaner as it drives moisture out of the engine.
 
scatpackbee said:
This sounds a lot like Don at EDJ radiator.

I had him install a high efficiency core in my factory ‘69 Dart radiator core a few years ago.

He did an incredible job. I highly recommend Don.

Don’s sister and brother-in-law are my neighbours in Georgetown.
Click to expand...

.May very well be...
 
I have a co-worker whose dad has a radiator shop, he does an excellent job, sometimes I take him one it needs re-cored, some just need a good cleaning.
He is honest, and does not do no more than what is needed to repair.
 
ir3333 said:
Have any of you guys had cooling problems with an original rad that has been re-cored.
I've done 2 and although they never really overheated they crept up at stop lights enough to worry.
Click to expand...
No problems with them for me.1st thing is always make sure the fan belt is tight.
 
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