I'm getting a lot of water leakage from the radiator. I'm having to fill it up with water about once a week. After driving for a few miles, theres a noticeable leak near the top of the radiator coming from both sides. Whats the better solution, to take it to a radiator shop to get rebuilt or to just buy a new one? I'm not sure if "new" radiators are just the remanufactured crap like the starters and alternators are. I don't really know anything about radiators so I figured I'd learn about it by asking here first. Thanks.

How are you with a propane torch?

If it's just the top tank, it should be easy to resolder......

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Or take it to a rad shop,get it boiled,rodded and rebuilt.New rads are new but no telling which chinese province it will come from.

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83 B-150 slant 6,4 speed. 79 B-300 360 pathfinder 4x4. 74 W-300 318 4x4 git-r-done 80 B-100 sl6,4speed

I would keep it and have it cleaned and sealed up at a good quality shop that stands behind their work. That way if it should spring a leak in the repair area, they will fix it for free. Been there done that in regards to tank leaks. If the core is bad, then that's another matter. You can have an new core assembled with your parts.

Another option is eBay had some new OEM radiators that were found about a month ago. They may still have some left. They were about $100.

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

Fix vs. replace depends on what kind of condition your radiator's in. If it's just got a couple small leaks and is in otherwise good condition, repair makes sense. But if it's got a bunch of leaks and the core's clogged up and corroded, you may as well replace it. You can still buy a good quality new radiator for your car. Spectra Premium # CU354 if you want the standard 19"-wide radiator, or CU527 if you want the heavy duty 22"-wide item. Either should cost just shy of $200.

Or there is always this solution!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I asked my long term Radiator guy about going over my Dart's radiator. He asked me if there was any white stuff showing on the core, answer was yes, a little at the bottom.

He than said; I can probably fix it, BUT, experience has shown that it is has due to its age now turned into Swiss Cheese, corroding from the inside out. If I clean it out, most likely more weak spots will present sooner or later, and the fix won't last. Best bet would be to replace it. I did not inquire about a recore, as this is a later on in the spring project.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

I chased a lot of leaks trying to keep my original radiator, and later another '64 radiator. It wasn't just the cores, either. The top tanks were rotting away and cracking.
Getting a new one solved the problems.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Looks like theres a little rust on both sides on the top where it's leaking, so I'm going to resolder it this Saturday. If that doesn't hold up long enough I'll just buy a new one. I called a couple radiator shops and they both told me $300-400 for a rebuild. Thats insane. I could buy one of those fancy aluminum ones Dan was talking about for that