need a new radiator for my '53 super! Vendors???

[Guest coaltownkid]

well, it was bound to happen at some point,....its a leaker and pretty bad too! lower right hand corner and yep, i've tried Bar's Stop Leak too! In fact i even tried Bar's heavy duty stuff to boot!!! no good! just won't fix it! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

so anyone know of a good vendor for repro radiators? or should i just get this re-cored?? hoping not to spend mega-bucks here if i can sve myself from it!?? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

thanks in advance giys!!

Jason

[Bill Stoneberg]

Jason,

If you want it to look original, your best bet is to get it recored. They can use the tanks (providing they are in good shape) and match the core to your old one. It will probably be the best and cheapest option.

I have had one done on my 47 and also on my 50 and they both cost under 300 bucks per radiator. They look original and keep the car cool even in the Texas heat.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Jason, i agree with Bill, if the top and bottom tank are good get it recored. problem is it's hard to find anyone that will recore with the original type core. I'm looking at having to possibly ship one two or three states away to get it done.

Bill have you priced one lately, the cost of cu has skyrocketed

[Guest coaltownkid]

hey thanks guys! last I head of a guy needing a radiator recored I heard somwhere around $400 bucks,...so I was hesitant,..untill now! thanks

Jason

[Bhigdog]

I recently had my 55 Olds recored. It's a honey comb type and the core had to be made to order. The job was excellant but the price matched it, $600. If I opted for fin and tube the price was the same. The last one I had recored 3 years ago was $400......Bob.

[Guest coaltownkid]

I just took mine over to a radiator guy in my area,....he said to match the original style core it would be a $1000K job! the other option was to install a newer styled core (fine by me!!) but it wasn't much better,..$750 before tax!!?? I think the guy's prices are rediculous personally,....maybe i'm just ill-informed, but when you can buy a newer radiator for a hot rod for $300 or so, $750 sounds like being raked over the coals!

Jason

[KAD36]

Jason - I paid somewhere between $350-$400 2 years ago for a new core. Mine is the regular fin type - kept the top and bottom tanks, worked out and filled in all the dents in the tanks, soldered in the new core. Can't tell the difference from original. A local shop did all the work - not sure what the price would be today. He does lots of old car work but is selective sometimes on what he'll take. Can give you contact info if interested.

[Guest coaltownkid]

yes I am interested, please give me the contact info,....guys around here are nice, but I think that's because they're businessman, period,....anythng for a sale, but that's where it ends!

[Bill Stoneberg]

I dont know what they cost now as I did mine a couple of years ago but Don Hart Radiator in Waller Texas did mine when it was done.

Nice guy and I was real happy with both of them. Even in the heat of Texas I dont go much above 180 -190.

You can find them at http://donhart.com/

Telephone: 936-372-9107 · 800-321-4278

[KAD36]

Jason - you can give this a try also. I'm happy with it - works as good as it looks. Good luck

Eddie's Radiator Repair Service

2806 North Street, Endicott, NY 13760

phone: (607) 785-2641

[Guest coaltownkid]

Thanks guys,...I'm going to wait on a fellow locally to get back to me on price, I just rememered him a few days ago and dropped the radiator off with him. He should be getting back to me soon. If he's high I'll try the others you guys mentioned...thanks a million!!

Jason

[54BuickDoc]

The cores from Maine Radiator are identical to the original 50's GMs.

[JohnD1956]

I used an albany area vendor who upped mine to a three row core for under $500.00. Here's a side bar related to this. A while ago it was said here that if you replace your valve seats with the hardened type then your engine may run hotter. My car did run hotter with the original 2 row radiator after changing valve seats so this may be the reason. But the three row core has brought it back to normal operating temps under most conditions.

JD

[Guest coaltownkid]

see that's what I mean, you used a guy who only charged you something UNDER $500 bucks,....the latest guy I took it to said he could do it for $525! This is rediculous!,....some dope thinks I'm a desperate idiot,....fact is, I'm now contimplating finding a radiator out of another vehicle, cutting off the original mounting tabs on the sides of my radiator, TIG welding them to the new one and then I'd just run the modern cored radiator,.....

Now I just need to get an idea of what will cool my engine and what is similar in size to MY ORIGINAL radiator??!!!

I am going to look into a 1972-70 Ford F-100 radiator's meansurements,.....if i'm correct, the inlet and outlet are on the same sides as the buick's rad. and I know they're used to cool BIG engines and have 3 rows in them,....I just need to know if it will fit!!??

Any idea or suggestions and I'm all ears!!!

Thanks guys!

Jason

[KAD36]

Jason

If this is any help, my criteria when I had my radiator redone was to have the correct top and bottom tank and if the radiator fins weren't "exactly OEM" that was OK with me. My intent is to make a clean driver thats period correct to the best reasonable extent possible. I could have aquired a correct OEM radiator core, then I would have been in the 450 to 500 range also. As is, my rebuilder selected a correct size core and reworked the original top and bottom tanks, getting all the dents out, and put it all back together.

Depends what you want to do with the car - just an opinion.

[Guest coaltownkid]

actually KAD36 what you said you did is EXACTLY what I want,....just something to look good but being that this is not going to be a restoration, but a period correct 50s kustom, i'd be fine with what you did. like i said that's what i wanted but guys are plaing the "if you want it, you're gonna pay!" game,.....dopes!!!

[Guest coaltownkid]

Anyone have any idea what other late model radiator would do the job of colling my buick and be close to fitting in the oroginal radiator space taht was reserved for the original rad?? I'm trying to get an idea of what I can use and I'm coming up short on what will do the job and fit...and not look that hokey when intalled!!??

thanks in advance!!

Jason

[Bill Stoneberg]

Jason,

What did you ever end up doing with this ? The reason I ask is I just got a quote for a recored 4 row radiator for my 64 Riviera. They use the original tanks with a new core and it was $ 325. So your prices to me sound like the people dont want to mess with it.