Aluminum radiator rebuild

[Jim D.]

Re: Aluminum radiator rebuild

but the lack of that upper radiator rubber cushion ate my radiator! There's no doubt in my mind about that.

Duke

But then again, there's people that are convinced that there are UFO's, Bigfoot (Bigfeet) and ghosts.

[Joe L.]

Re: Alright, You Have Piqued My Interest

Joe-----


On my 1969, there is absolutely no contact between the radiator and the support. The same, basic support was used for all 1969-72 with aluminum radiator, so I would not think there would be any contact for any of them. I can't say for 63-67.

One other point: GM always used a special radiator drain plug or drain cock for aluminum radiators. These plugs or drain cocks were ALUMINUM. Brass radiators always used a BRASS drain plug or drain cock. There MUST have been some good reason why they used the aluminum plug or drain cock with aluminum radiators. These were a specially made pieces and were not generally available and widely used as were brass plugs and drain cocks.

[Thomas D.]

Re: Aluminum radiator rebuild

the lack of that upper radiator rubber cushion ate my radiator! There's no doubt in my mind about that.

Duke

Ok, let's say that it did...for now. Explain the next three items

A: Why didn't the aluminum top tanks used in 1960-61 not rot out?
B: 1961-62 surge tanks, again.
C: All late model aluminum radiators require a ground

Each time this issue comes up on another forum, I throw out item B and everyone scatters. No comment and no comment here either.

One of the reasons I am pushing this issue is our custom rad/fan combo's have a fan switch mounted directly into the radiator. This switch closes when it hits 195 and it needs to ground out to function. To make sure it does, we include a ground strap attached to the radiator. People have read your comment and are now questioning if their radiator is goingt o fail. I say no.

[Duke W.]

Re: Aluminum radiator rebuild

I can't explain the C1 expansion tank. I'm actually not that familiar with it, but recall it is mounted to the engine or in some way that inherently grounds it. FWIW my '63 expansion tank was thin as paper when the radiator showed evidence of seepage in the mid-seventies. In fact, fine glass beads punched pinholes in my tank. The '63 mounting electrically isolates it.

The problem with the grounded/not grounded issue is that that the difference in life (on a vintage Corvette) is 10-15 years versus 30-40. No one that I know of has ever run a controlled test for that length of time. So I am left with my analysis of the design and available anecdotal evidence.

Since you have to warrant your product, the choice of grounded or isolated is yours, but even if you chose wrong, I don't think you will have to warranty a ten year old radiator.

In the case of vintage Corvettes, I think it's been established that the OE radiator mounting scheme is electrically isolated, and there are many vintage Corvettes that saw 30-40 years of service from the OE radiator, and there are still a few OE aluminum radiators out there, today.

Further, both Stu and I experienced short radiator life and both cars were missing the upper cushion from the plant, which allowed the radiator to ground. Coincidence?

Given reasonable maintenance practice - coolant change interval - and use of a modern HOAT antifreeze I would certainly not ground the aluminum radiator on my Corvette nor recommend that anyone do so.

Forty-five years of accumulated evidence shows that GM did an excellent job engineering Corvette cooling systems, and I would not change them one iota - just make sure that everything is configured and performing to OE specs.

Duke

[Stuart F.]

Re: Aluminum radiator rebuild

Duke;

BTW, since I put in the new factory aluminum radiator with a top rubber cushion in 1975, it is still going strong some 33 years later. I am still looking for signs of efficiency loss as Tom told me years ago to watch for as the sediment settles in the bottom. So far, so good. So, whether a coincidence or not, the bottom line is 12 years w/o top cushion and 33 years with it.

As to the play or movement of the radiator at the top w/o the cushion, it may be 3/8" to 1/2" or so, but it is not obvious as the top radiator hose tends to dampen the movement. Then too, how many people as a matter of maintenance practice grab hold of the radiator top to see if they can move it or not unless advised to do so.

Sure would like to hear from others who, if not the original owners, are perhaps knowledgeable about the cars maintenance history in this regard.

Stu Fox

[Roberto L.]

Re: Aluminum radiator rebuild

Hello,

Great thread, very interesting. Let me explain my own experience with the repairing of a Corvette Harrison Al radiator. When I got my car in 94 it used a replacement Cu radiator. Living outside USA it was difficult to get a suitable and correct radiator. As a long distant member of RMC chapter got wonderfull help from Jack Humphrey and got a late 69 dated used radiator (my car is an early feb car) and we "played" poker knowing it was a leaker...

Any way I took the chance and when the unit arrived at Buenos Aires I made repair it in a aircraft hardware shop specialize in Al. The artisan used a Ag based soldering technique and with patience repaired it. He tested it and the unit was OK. He cautioned me about the life espectancy of such a repair and I was able to use it WITHOUT ANY problem along 14k miles or so.

Three years later new leaks appeared, not in the repair area and that was all about it. It was an overlife and the real solution will be a repro from De Witt some day. And was a good experience.

Best regards