VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Radiator repair for 1962 Impala

Need my radiator repaired on my 1962 Impala. I'm amazed to find that no radiator shops in my area east of Seattle will work on it. Is 1962 truly so old that modern shops don't have the repair skills? Any recomendations for radiator repair in the Seattle-Bellevue area?

I doubt if the age or make/model of the radiator are a factor. Due to a combination of environmental regulations and lack of skilled craftsman it is almost impossible to find a radiator repair shop these days.

As Rusty suggests the lack of people that know how to repair copper radiators these days is becoming a major problem for us. The manufacturers are all going to alloy and plastic these days and neither can be repaired.
Tony

Just out of curiosity I googled "rad repair Seattle" and found Seattle Radiator Works. On their web site they say they do antique rads. Did you talk to them?

Thanks kaygee and others. Finally got a good recommendation, Northwest Radiator Works in Tacoma, about 43 miles away. My problem is simple: the petcock on the bottom of my radiator drips coolant. I've been reluctant to tighten the fitting because I might crack the housing, but the guy at NW Radiator said I should take a 9/16 wrench, loosen the fitting, then retighten. If it breaks, simply drain the coolant and buy a new petcock .... assuming I haven't cracked the radiator itself.

You are right on target with your concern about damaging the bung in the lower radiator tank.

I would use some of the tricks I try with older threaded fasteners.
- spray the are with rust penetrant (brand of your choice).
- use a box end or at least a line wrench to grab the hex.
- try to tighten or loosen with the system hot. Obviously i would not remove it with everything hot but you can at least get it turning.
- start with simple back and forth motions on the wrench to try and break the fitting loose. I "bounce' the wrench between each limit.

Back from vacation. Old petcock removed, and now a silly question .... can anyone tell me the original 1962 GM part number for the petcock on the bottom of the radiator? Google keeps returning incorrect results for a replacement petcock. Mine is brass, unscrewed with a 9/16 wrench.

Parts houses around here stock various petcocks. Take your old one with you.