Cracked Lower Radiator Housing
Posted: 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.
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.