Radiator restoration

[David P.]

I am planning on removing the radiator off of my 67 L79. I want to have it cleaned out and restored to an original factory state. Any suggestions on good companies that do this type of work and any cost estimates for the work. Radiator does not leak.

[Harry S.]

Re: Radiator restoration

Dave, I do not believe you can restore it to original factory state. You can have the inside rinsed, have it pressure tested and have the exterior repainted but there will still be a buildup left on the inside. I did this to my 63 radiator and it cost $50.00.

When I restored the car I had a new reproduction installed. It did run cooler.

[John D.]

Re: Radiator restoration

David

My 67 L79 has it's original 45 year old radiator in it and except for changing the coolant regularly I wont touch it since they are not easily repairable. It cant be recored like a typical brass/copper radiator to look as good as new.

My plan is to get a Dewitt radiator when mine springs a leak which according to the deposits forming on one of the tubes will be quite soon.

[Dick W.]

Re: Radiator restoration

I am planning on removing the radiator off of my 67 L79. I want to have it cleaned out and restored to an original factory state. Any suggestions on good companies that do this type of work and any cost estimates for the work. Radiator does not leak.

Go to your local Sherwin Williams, Lowes, HD, etc and buy a container of TSP (trisodiuum phosphate) Dilute per instructions and rinse the inside of the radiator out. This was the process recommended when they were new. After you do this, take it to your local radiator shop and have pressure tested. Immediately after that get your credit card out and order a new DeWitts radiator. Most likely if you clean the radiator, it will leak like a garden sprinkler.

[Paul J.]

Re: Radiator restoration

...I want to have it cleaned out and restored to an original factory state. Any suggestions on good companies that do this type of work and any cost estimates for the work. Radiator does not leak.

Why? You understand that this is a 45 year old aluminum radiator. I think Dick is right. Clean up the outside, paint it and replace the stickers. When it starts leaking call DeWitt's.

[Dick W.]

Re: Radiator restoration

Why? You understand that this is a 45 year old aluminum radiator. I think Dick is right. Clean up the outside, paint it and replace the stickers. When it starts leaking call DeWitt's.

Paul I had a radiator shop in one of the businesses that I owned in the late '70's and early '80's. I think that there were two usable mid-year radiators that came thru my shop in the six-seven years that we operated. 95% leaked like a sieve back then, when the oldest was only about 15 years old. The corrosion that builds up inside them will also stop a lot of small leaks, but also causes them to heat. Most people never maintained the cooling system like it should have been, plus the coolants of the day left something to be desire.

[Patrick N.]

Re: Radiator restoration

Any issues or minor deduction with a DeWitt's radiator during judging? They look to be spot on.

[Larry M.]

Re: Radiator restoration

No issues. They judge at 100%.

Larry