Leaky Radiator .. It's Always Something.

I finally had a chance to make up my new battery cables and get them installed. Also cleaned up some wiring in the engine bay. Started the CJ to make sure everything was hooked up and let it idle for a few minutes then shut it off.

When I got out to shut the hood, I noticed the motor was wet on top, and water drops had sprayed everywhere. Started it back up and took a closer look. Found several pinholes in the radiator that weren't there a couple months ago when I parked it to work on it.

Oh well. Seems like there is always something to do to the old gal. Going to try to make some calls today and see if there are any radiator shops within driving distance.

 

from what I have seen price wise to re-core around here
your better off to by a replacement . good luck

 

I can't speak to local pricing or services.

But in my experience the OEM radiators were heavier duty and often can be easily repaired - and last decades longer than flimsy modern replacements.

 

x2
Better to repair an old one unless it's just rotted away to nothing.

 

Unpleasant, but things happen. The problem is that when your repair a radiator, other holes can appear some time later. It depnds on what kind of work is done.

 

I had my radiator re cored at a place by me that has been around forever, as I remember it wasn't too expensive, and it came back looking like a new one. I think the older one repaired is better what I have seen in the new ones. Good Luck

 

If you need a replacement spectra makes gas tanks and radiators I have had good luck with both.
they are Canadian made.

 

My lower tank looked horrible on one side. Lots of JB weld. Cleaned, fluxed (super important step), and brazed with lead. If you have any 16oz copper laying around you can even fashion a patch. Someone had JB'd over pinholes and a HUGE slash but the brazing takes care of that. Might want to pull it and try. Make sure to sand the damaged area bright and use lots of flux.

 

Thanks everyone. I think the leak is coming from the core, not the tanks. That is where the discoloration is and I saw drops of water forming there while I watched. Almost right square in front of the fan.

I got a couple quotes this morning. One would only say $45 minimum, and the other ballparked $120 to $150 for the whole job. I texted a car guy friend near them to see if he had any recommendations for a shop. Still waiting to hear from him.

I did see a new radiator on Walcks website for nearly $400.

 

$150 for a core replacement would be downright cheap around my parts. I wouldn't hesitate to have it done for that price - but you don't mention if that price is a recore or a patch on the core. I've had good luck with the aluminum replacements...even though they're paper thin. Champion is my brand of preference but I just checked their catalog and didnt see one for a 1963

 

It's not out of line for the shops to give you very basic minimums or ballpark figures. My first job as a young guy was driving for an old shcool radiator shop. It was not uncommon at all for one of the techs to open a radiator up and find it was shot or in need of a lot of work. Worst thing was for them to try to help out a customer by significant repair work when the thing really should have been re-cored.

I read recently that with electronic ignition and fuel injection that cooling system problems are the #1 reason now for breakdowns, rather than ignition or fuel problems.

 

Hopefully, if the weather holds this weekend I can get it drained and removed so I can take it in Monday on my day off.

Removal looks pretty straight forward. Any tricks I need to know about?

Thanks again, everyone.

Also, thanks to whomever changed the thread title. I probably could have been more descriptive.