Looking for repair shop for leaking radiator in NC

[Dale Finch]

I just posted this on Facebook, since many of those guys are local and hopefully will have suggestions. But if any of y'all have recommendations, I would appreciate it!

Any recommendations for a good radiator shop in the Chapel Hill, NC, area?

I believe the radiator on the '55 I recently purchased had been damaged and repaired, but the top tank is leaking...looks like at the seam where the fins attach. Also, it looks a bit cockeyed, as though the top and core were not soldered together straight.

If the core is still good, and the cost is reasonable, I would like to have the tank resoldered.

Otherwise, I'll probably go with a new Clancy radiator, which another of my Cubs has.

Note: there is also a rub spot on the front right corner of the radiator, which might indicate that side is higher than the left. The bolts WERE in place attaching the hood to the radiator channels.

[Eugene]

Investigate the price of repairs. They can install a new core on your good top.

Off the top of my head, cost me $400- to recore the radiator for my 154 Cub Low-Boy. $400- was a bit less than a new radiator.

[inairam]

$188 at TM http://www.tmtractor.com/new/co/671fp.htm

[Dale Finch]

Yeah, I had bought the Clancy for another cub a bunch of years ago, and it was a good fit, and has been good since. So I am leaning toward just ordering the TM Tractor one. I had earlier gotten the Clancy Radiator directly from them, but don't seem to be able to find a direct source anymore. TM Tractor is a sponsor, so I don't mind going through them.

I may replace the radiator, so I can continue getting the tractor running, then look into fixing it (if feasible) for a spare.

Thanks for your replies.

[Don McCombs]

I had a Cub radiator re-cored about 20 years ago. The cost at that time was about $180. I think Eugene’s estimate of $400 today is pretty close to the mark. I have a friend who does extensive radiator work. From cars to bulldozers. I’ll try to remember to check with him on the cost of the Cub core. Just the part. But, I’ll bet it’s more than the cost of the Clancy at TM.

[Mht]

Holmes radiator and welding in garner did a good job for me on a radiator for my David Brown tractor. I think the cost to repair a couple of leaks in it was about 150 dollars. I don’t think I would spend that much on a cub radiator when a Clancy can be had for just a little more. The only reason I had my david brown radiator repaired was because a replacement is over 600 dollars.

[Gary Dotson]

Environmental regulations has resulted in the closing of many (most) radiator repair shops. We used to have two of them, in town, now there are none. The last time I had rad. repair done, I had to go about 40 miles to a shop, it's now closed as well. I don't know where I'd go to now! Yours may just need a simple re-solder of the upper tank but finding a shop to do it may be tough.

[Dale Finch]

Environmental regulations has resulted in the closing of many (most) radiator repair shops. We used to have two of them, in town, now there are none. The last time I had rad. repair done, I had to go about 40 miles to a shop, it's now closed as well. I don't know where I'd go to now! Yours may just need a simple re-solder of the upper tank but finding a shop to do it may be tough.

That's the problem around here...few if any shops. Add to that the high price of labor and our "throw away" economy...
So it may be a fairly straightforward job, IF you have the skills and tools, but otherwise, simpler to buy new.

Ron had a great idea, though. He said save it for a CubFest, and "we" can do a demonstration repair. I'm pretty sure the only leak is at the tank seam. This is what I love seeing and doing at Cubfests!!

[Mht]

I think the reason there are so few radiator repair shops anymore is the changes in the way radiators are made now days. With aluminum cores and plastic tanks there is nothing to repair if a leak develops. Farm tractors, heavy equipment, and big trucks are the only thing being made with all metal radiators anymore and without car radiators to repair there is just not enough business to support many shops. The one I mentioned in Garner NC and one in Rocky Mount NC were the only two I could find when I needed to have my David Brown Tractor radiator repaired. If I had one with just a tank seam leaking I would probably get a propane torch, solder and flux and try fixing it myself. If I messed up an made it leak worse I’d chalk it up to a learning experience and order a Clancy.

[Clemsonfor]

Environmental regulations has resulted in the closing of many (most) radiator repair shops. We used to have two of them, in town, now there are none. The last time I had rad. repair done, I had to go about 40 miles to a shop, it's now closed as well. I don't know where I'd go to now! Yours may just need a simple re-solder of the upper tank but finding a shop to do it may be tough.

Maybe that's also a reason, bit the main reason is throwaway parts. When you can buy a brand new radiator for a car for $75-100 these days no one wants to wait a day on one and pay $100 to fix one. The only real market for the work anymore is classics and heavy equipment. In areas with lots of logging and heavy equipment use you can still find a shop, but those probably don't even work on small radiators regularly for the reason I mentioned. In my old chevy truck is probably try to fix mine since I have the big copper 4 core radiator bit on anything else I will just buy a $100 new radiator and throw it in there.

[Gary S.]

Technology marches on as well. Mainstream radiators now days are built for cost and weight. It's no different than finding someone to repair say a 1925 Ford Model T wheel. At one time the Ford dealer could do it,now you would need to send it to a specialist. I spent 35 years with Illinois Bell- when your 3 dollar a month phone broke WE came to you to fix it,365 days a year. Now YOU take your 1K phone in when it breaks and YOU get to pay for that as well during their hours. There is no one left at the old Bell System that would know how to rewire a 2 line Princess phone with lights just like that radiator shop that hasn't seen a soldered radiator since the 70's

[Eugene]

Technology marches on as well. Mainstream radiators now days are built for cost and weight.

Dodge Dakota, radiator tank/top plastic, aluminum tubes and fins. Don't recall if the bottom was plastic. Tank top went, no possible repairs.

[Lt.Mike]

If you can identify where the pin holes are, maybe one or two I’ve opened them up with an ice pick and used plumbing solder and a propane torch to seal them. It’s not a total recore and will actually close a channel but it can do the trick.

[Gary Dotson]

I guess it's an "all the above" situation. I loved Gary S. reference to the Model T wheel! So true! The same thing has been happening to Starter/ generator shops. I can buy a new alternator for far less than the costs to repair one. Automotive machine shops have disappeared as well. I needed a crankshaft turned, a couple weeks ago, made a bunch of calls and finally hauled it 60 miles to a race engine builder. Still waiting to get it back! The shops that are still operating have no-one who can grind a crank, so when you find one, you get in line.