Cracked Lower Radiator Housing

Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:32 pm

Big Dog asked me to post this when I met him at Cuborama, but due to many reasons I am just getting around to it (unless I posted it and have forgotten).

On my Grandpa's 1951 Cub several years ago the lower radiator housing cracked one winter and he had it welded. It had leaked a little ever since. When I started restoring it I looked for a replacement but was never able to find one. I took the housing and ground out the weld and the crack and had it brazed, but even after 3 attempts it still leaked a little bit.

I contacted Epoxy Systems and explained what I was working on and that I wanted a perminant fix. They recommended #652 http://www.epoxy.com/652.htm. I sandblasted the inside of the housing and applied the epoxy. No leaks since!

Sandblasting and cleaning with a non-flammable degreaser is recomended for best results. The pot life of the epoxy is stated to be 20 minutes at 75 degrees So mix and apply fast! It is rated to 400 degrees dry location and 300 degrees submerged.

Be careful around any "icing trails" that you may leave when troweling in.... They can be sharp enough to cut you. :shock:

Last edited by RockClimb on Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:11 am, edited 1 time in total.

Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:48 pm

Where the heck have you been hiding?

Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:54 pm

The "Great State of Wilkes" offers lots of hiding places.

Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:26 am

Bigdog wrote:Where the heck have you been hiding?

Let's see. For starters, I didn't quite make it home in my old truck, but I did make it to my engraving shop. Had to replace the radiator, hoses, thermostat and gasket, and the radiator cap. Then I had two progamming projects for a friend of mine, two trips to Fort Benning, Ga., to help move my buddy up here (he retired from the Army), then we had to replumb his washing machine.. the original plumbers forgot rule #3 of plumbing. Plus a whole slew of little things.

Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:00 pm

Rule #3 of plumbing? I can't quite see the connection here: http://www.plumbingworld.com/11rulesoflife.html Please, fill us in!

Yeah, life gets in the way. But it's great to hear from ya again!

Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:23 pm

Lurker Carl wrote:Rule #3 of plumbing? I can't quite see the connection here: http://www.plumbingworld.com/11rulesoflife.html Please, fill us in!

Yeah, life gets in the way. But it's great to hear from ya again!

I see why you are confused.... there are only 3 basic rules for plumbing and here they are:

1. Hot's on the left.
2. Cold's on the right.
3. S*** don't run up hill

Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:51 pm

Back to basics. Thanks!

Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:55 pm

Lurker Carl wrote:Back to basics. Thanks!

Get back to work, Carl I'm paying you :wink:

Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:41 pm

Donny M wrote:Get back to work, Carl I'm paying you

Yeah, so am I!!! Why are you surfing the net in the middle of the afternoon???

Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:58 pm

Rock i bet if you fill your radiator with some of that Wilkes County Moonshine it would eat the epoxy right out.
Jim
and you forgot rule #4 Friday's payday.

Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:18 pm

Relax guys it just another civil servant taking a late lunch. :lol:

Right Carl.

Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:47 am

Jim Reid wrote:Rock i bet if you fill your radiator with some of that Wilkes County Moonshine it would eat the epoxy right out.
Jim
and you forgot rule #4 Friday's payday.

We use it for rust removal too

Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:25 pm

AH... The old rusty stomach... :lol:

Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:55 am

Rock can you buy the epoxy local or do you have to order from manufacture.
Jim.

Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:16 pm

Last edited by Redman on Mon Jun 14, 2010 7:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.