VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Check radiator before replacing

Is there a definite way to test the radiator before I actually replace it? I am looking at the Filling Stations replacement core, but I want to confirm the old one is bad first.

Or is the new one so much better I should just replace it anyway?

Jim

I would take it to a good repair shop, have it cleaned and flow tested before I would replace it.
See you down the back roads.

A little known fact is that the original honeycomb cores can be rodded. It takes care and someone that knows what they are doing. I have been told for many years that they can not be rodded but that is incorrect.

I need to replace my radiator also but I have been checking out other companies to see if I can get a better price than the Filling Station. I am in contact with a company in New Hamshire that has been in business since 1959. They have posted about twelve different types of cores. I hope to get a price from them next week. If it is better than the Filling Station I will post their name and number. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Hey Sal! Keep your fingers crossed really tight, because you will probably get a big shock when you find out the price! :eek: :eek: :eek: :( :(

Chip, is the rodding of the radiator something that can be done by the owner? If so, can you tell us how?

Thanks

No! The top and bottom tanks haved to be removed. Unless you are an expert at soldering and you have all of the correct equipment like a dip tank and etc., only a professional radiator shop should attempt to rod out the radiator. And, some shops won't attempt to rod out an old Honeycomb core. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Well I found a shop locally that will look it over. I called one place and they said $1,000 min. to replace the core :( I little scary.

The place I am bringing it to will look at it and see what it needs first. They said replacing the core should be no problem if I supply the core. Any idea how much it should cost to have the new core soldered in? Any questions I should ask at the shop to make sure the job will be done correctly?
At this point I think I will just replace the core with the Filling Stations honey comb and be done with it.

Thank you for the replies.
Jim

If you are going to purchase a core from the Filling Station, that I would talk to them first about doing your core replacement. They offer that service if you send them your old radiator or your old tanks. It might even be cheaper for you if they do the job.

Yep, $1,000 is way too much for a replacement core, especially if they use a modern core! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

pumpkinj,

to answer one of your questions, a local radiator shop here charges a little over $200 to replace the core...they do a lot of work on packards & the like for collections, so they know what they're doing...


epi

dog,

what is fs charging for this service?..


epi

They were charging around $125 I believe, but you would have to check with them to get the current price.

Thanks,

I'll check with them today. I'll post what I find out.

Jim

Cool! Yes, definitely post what you find out so that others on this forum will know as well.

Pumpkin J. - If it might help, I had the similar experience two years ago. The Filling Station honeycomb replacement is indeed the best way to go for authenticity and fit. I'm on a long term restoration timeline and budget, and only entering shows for the time being as "display only", so I took my original '32 radiator to a local reputable radiator shop (Acme Auto Radiator in Watervliet, (518) 273-6061). They were able to remove the tanks and weld them onto a modern tractor core. The cost was about $235. The fit was perfect. Eventually I'll get the honeycomb radiator when a) my boat comes in, or b) my kids leave college.

I agree with JYD that experienced hands need to work on the radiator. And all radiator shops do not have experienced hands. Look for the guy whose father or grandfather taught them the trade. We still have a few around here. To replace the core for $ 125 might seem a bit high but is in the ballpark. Of course the shipping will be another considerable expense.

We have used cellular cores here for many, many years. Last time I checked they had doubled in price from ~ $ 150 (~ $ 250 installed) to over $ 300. Not sure why. Maybe that not nearly as many are being made and the equipment is being retired.

I will not go into details but taking off tanks and reinstalling them is really fairly easy if you know what you are doing. But if you don't you can destroy a core in seconds.

Would it be feasible to have someone remove the core before shipping just the tanks to FS for retro-fitting?

Would save (maybe?) on shipping costs?

Pumpkinj.....
I had your problem with my '41. I had the radiator cleaned, I cleaned it out, etc. and still it would heat up during slow speed and warm weather.
I had a modern core installed in my top and bottom. I replaced the water pump, thermostat and installed an 8 pound radiator cap. The temperature now goes up to 180 degrees and stays there. You may not need to replace the water pump and thermostat but if there is any question you should replace them to do a good job. The radiator replacement cost me $200. at a professional shop. He did a good job. It looks great and works like a charm. I removed the radiator and replaced it.
I know several of you will say it is not authentic . I am a firm believer in all original cars but how many times do you enter a show where the judges will pick up on a modern core.
Look for a small independent radiator shop. They do a better job than the big shops.
Good luck. JIM

Thanks for all the replies. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one podering this.
I called the FS today, and they said they no longer replace the cores. I can buy one, but they will not do the install. So I looked around on the Internet and found a shop in Pughkeepsie NY, J & L Radiator. If I remember correctly they usually have a booth at the Rhineback NY car show in May. They specialize in restotration, and vintage radiators. So I think I will bring it to them. It will cost about $250 to have the core installed, but that includes fixing any dents in the tanks, painting etc.
They actually suggested I buy the core from FS. He said they are great quality and I could get it there cheaper than he could buy it direct. I didn't expect that.
While my Chevy is not in show condition now (The paint is 20+ years old) I hope to get there some day so I ordered the core form FS today. With any luck I'll have it back together for Rhineback May 2nd.

While I have it apart I am planning on checking/replacing/rebuilding the waterpump, checking the baffle plate, flushing the block, replacing all the hoses, and detailing the front of the engine. Any other suggestions for preventitive maintance while I have the radiator out.

Thanks again for the help:)

1930 Chevrolet Special Sedan (Soon to be COOLER)

Got my radiator off and will take it to a local radiator shop which was recommended to me by a local mechanic that I know. Will have him boil and check it out and then see where I stand. I know this fellow has a honest reputation so I think this is the way to go for now. If it's bad, to the FS I go. Hope to know in a week or two. :arrow:

Quote: "I called the FS today, and they said they no longer replace the cores. I can buy one, but they will not do the install"

Okay, I just talked to Steve Kassis, the owner of the Filling Station, and they do have a company that actually does the installation of radiator tanks on the Filling Station cores for their customers. Here is how it works:

If you are going to purchase one of their radiator cores, you contact the Filling Station directly about purchasing their core and having your tanks installed. You, in turn, send your tanks (or old radiator) to a company in Stockton, California (the Filling Station will give you that information). The Filling Station, in turn, will send the new core directly to the same company. This company will then install your tanks on to the new Filling Station core and ship the completed radiator (in their special crate) directly back to you to save on the shipping charges.

Also, the company has a special crate that they made for shipping the Filling Station radiators, so there will be a deposit for the crate. Upon your return of the empty crate back to them, a refund on the crate charge will be issued. The cost for installing your tanks on to the Filling Station core is around $200.

Thanks for the explanation Skip. When I called I didn't speak with Steve, and I may not have been clear about what I wanted.

I think J&L Radiator will do a nice job, and I can drop it off so no extra shipping:)

I can't wait to get back on the road. The winter in the NE is just a bit to long.

I thought I throw in a photo of the family Chevys.

Mine is the 4 door sedan. I purchased it a little over a year ago so I can't take any credit for the restoration which is about 20 years old. It looks better in the photo. The paint is bubbling a bit and it has a number of crackles. I'm planning on repainting it soon.

The tan Sport Coupe is my Dad's. He has owned it since the 1960's and has rebuilt just about everything on it. It's a great car! I have alot of memories of riding around in the Rumble seat as a kid.

The car in the backround is our friend Bob's Willys coupe. Bob's Dad bought the car new in 1952, and Bob has owned it since he was in high school. Nice to know the cars history!

Hey, you guys have some great looking Chevys there! You should be proud! And, it looks like you drive them too, which is even more fun. Again, nice cars!!

If you are a member of the VCCA the Filling Station offers a discount. You will need to ask for it to get it.