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- Thread starter Chevelle_Nut
- Start date
Chevelle_Nut
Shop Foreman
I figure the rad in this car I installed in the early 1980's so I got my money's worth out of it.The Champion rad in my Chevelle has survived 3 engine swaps and was delivered 10ish yrs ago and still No leaks, But now that I typed this?
About 40 years ago a mechanic told me that anti-freeze doesn't "wear out", it loses it's anti-rust ability.
He said to add a bottle of Prestone anti-rust once a year.
It makes sense so I've been doing that in all my cars and I've never had a radiator fail (yet- knock on wood).
Prestone wants people to replace their anti-freeze so they jacked up the price of anti-rust from $5 to $25/bottle.
I found this : Motor Medic has anti-rust ; at Amazon it's $9 but Farm & Fleet has it for $4 !
Shipping is pricey so Amazon's price is about the same unless you buy several bottles from Farm & Fleet.
He said to add a bottle of Prestone anti-rust once a year.
It makes sense so I've been doing that in all my cars and I've never had a radiator fail (yet- knock on wood).
Prestone wants people to replace their anti-freeze so they jacked up the price of anti-rust from $5 to $25/bottle.
I found this : Motor Medic has anti-rust ; at Amazon it's $9 but Farm & Fleet has it for $4 !
Shipping is pricey so Amazon's price is about the same unless you buy several bottles from Farm & Fleet.
MotorMedic Radiator Anti-Rust with Water Pump Lube - C1012 | Blain's Farm & Fleet
Get your MotorMedic Radiator Anti-Rust with Water Pump Lube - C1012 at Blain's Farm & Fleet. Buy online, choose delivery or in-store pickup. Great prices on Cooling System Repair.
www.farmandfleet.com
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Chevelle_Nut
Shop Foreman
The antifreeze in this car has been in it for a while, maybe 6 years? I don't drive it much but being it was Dad's it is going to go to Tom Rightler for a good freshening up in a couple of years.
Now that is cool. I hear he is the best.
Chevelle_Nut
Shop Foreman
He did my Placer Gold car.
Chevelle_Nut
Shop Foreman
Radiator is in, definitely not 40 year ago quality. I had to use thread tape on the cooler lines, lower one kept leaking. The old radiator is not going anywhere, I need to find a repair shop for it. Even my wife said it was more substantial.
Chevelle_Nut
Shop Foreman
That is the plan, hard to find a shop that does that now. Both of my Chevelles use the same radiator, always need to have a spare.
There's a Rad repair shop 10 blks away, Tommy's Rad Service, that's been there since the 70's and use to be Fair priced but in the last 10-15 yrs you'd think they were putting Gold Plating in the Rads they repair by the prices they're charging, I personally don't know anyone that still goes there because of the prices, hope that's not the case in your area
Can you clean a radiator by soaking in vinegar ?
Looks like it's the best way to do it at home
Looks like it's the best way to do it at home
kmakar
Janitor
That's what I've done, but if the radiator needs fixing, best to have the guys boil it, fix it and pressure test it.
kmakar
Janitor
I had them replace Lisa's radiator in her minivan in '99 and they robbed me back then. $350 for a radiator back then. Never went back and made sure to tell anyone else not to go there.
They’re doing a/c work and other tune up related work now, I honestly don’t know how they stay in business
I used CLR on mt tractor, worked great. Neutralized with purple power, then flushed with water.
cage2592
Administrator
Last of the Old Time Radiator repair services here in Tallahassee closed at the beginning of the Kungflu. Ran by an 88yr old man who worked there since 14yrs old. Bought it from the original owner after he married the owner's daughter.
About 6yrs ago, he custom made my 1952 AC bulldozer radiator for $600. 2019 was the last I saw him and he custom made my current copper/brass radiator in the 70 for $400. Dang work of art.
If I had to buy one today it would be U.S Radiator.
About 6yrs ago, he custom made my 1952 AC bulldozer radiator for $600. 2019 was the last I saw him and he custom made my current copper/brass radiator in the 70 for $400. Dang work of art.
If I had to buy one today it would be U.S Radiator.
This is what I'm buying. I know a lot of forum people who've bought these and they are highly recommended.
$407
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From their website:
Don't buy a 3 or 4 row aluminum radiator! It doesn't cool as good as these oversize 2 row models. These radiators are original appearing
and have the correct stamping. Once painted, you'd be hard pressed to find a difference over an original versus a COLD-CASE.
$407
-------------
From their website:
Don't buy a 3 or 4 row aluminum radiator! It doesn't cool as good as these oversize 2 row models. These radiators are original appearing
and have the correct stamping. Once painted, you'd be hard pressed to find a difference over an original versus a COLD-CASE.
Attachments
There are early chevelle crossflow radiators available now.....and the performance is significantly better. I've got 1 in the 406 '66 and it has no problem running at thermostat temp in the hottest of conditions. Had slightly modify the mounting on the core support so that may deter some.
US Radiator has an "optima" model that looks great but it's above my budget.
I also went with Champion for the C10. Copper/brass was too expensive and having my original radiator worked on was twice that amount. Low/mid 200s IIRC for the Champion aluminum. Looks well made. I scuffed the end tanks and painted them, left the actual core bare as I assume it’s best for optimum cooling.