New Radiator Core

For the second time - same shop as when I rebuilt the engine in 1993, so 20 years later

the job is going to run $390 to recore the 65 Riv radiator.

I like the shop- first time I went in the old owner (now 86 yo) ID'd the radiator

when I walked in the door. His son runs it now, he knows the only thing I bring is

Buick stuff so he knew already! With the price of resto stuff so high, I thought this was fairly reasonable for a recore job.

I'm still limping along on my long ago recored radiator. Last repair was a split seam across the front of the bottom tank. At $50-$75 each time I take it in I've spent half of what a new radiator would be on the old P.O.S.. I'm giving up on the old radiator. I'm getting a new one from http://www.usradiator.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?model=143&q=1965+buick.

Hello Everyone

I was recommended to a small radiator repair shop called Ives Radiators in Leota Minnesota and they specialise in restoring classic tractor radiators, to date I have taken two Buick radiators to them. The first was from my 1963 Le Sabre 401 cubic inch engine and they pressure tested it and flushed it out and said that it was in good condition. This cost me $25. The second one was the radiator out of my 1968 Wildcat and this needed a new core. The cost for this was $285 including tax. I could have brought a new "modern" radiator for the Wildcat for a similar price, however I wanted to keep original as I can and chose the recore option. I will be visiting Ives in the next few weeks with the radiator from my 1983 Riviera, as that has a leak and I will have it cleaned out and repaired etc etc.

Thank you

John

Anyone know where I can get just the top tank for my 1963 Riviera? My tank is beyond repair. Any help is appreciated. Tnx. Dale

Perhaps someone with a master parts book can tell you if that radiator is specific to the Riviera or is it a good part for all 1963's with a/c. That will really enlarge your search area.

http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

I can recommend US Radiator as mentioned by BB1970 above based on my 63 Olds Starfire. I used one of theirs with an upgraded high efficiency core, all new parts, and it was a perfect match for the original visually but will cool better than an aluminum unit. They aren't cheap but with the cost of recoring today the price is reasonable. A tip - shop around at local dealers, I was able to save almost $100 off their website price.

Found a used radiator supposedly for 63. When it arrived it has correct inlet/outlet positions and correct center fill neck. Fits the car. Problem is that the top of the top tank slopes from front to rear. Not the same as old tank. Anyone know if there are two - or more - different radiators on the 63 Rivs? Maybe this is an interchange radiator that fits other than Rivs? I'd like to replicate the original look. Should I continue the search for correct look/fit? Any help appreciated. Dale

Anyone done business with Buick Bonery in Sacramento lately. Indication there has been a change of ownership within last couple of years? I just got the above radiator and it doesn't seem to be a '63 Riviera radiator. Google address is 8th St Sacramento but this is a residence. Anyone with knowledge of this business? Reputable?? Dale

Hello Dale

I have brought parts from Mike Hogan who was the owner of the Buick Bonery a year ago. He has the parts for the 1960s Buicks and will get the parts to you quickly and safely. It would pay to ring them and see if Mike has gone and someone else now has the Buick Bonery? Did you send him a photograph of what you wanted?

Thanks and I hope that you get your problem sorted out.

Regards

John