Topic: What is your opinion or experiance?
in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems
I stopped at my local radiator shop the ask about a rad for my '79. He gave me prices on new ones, and then I asked him if he could get aluminum radiators. His reply was that they are unrepairable. What's the scoop here?
Dave
Lifetime MemberModerator
Repairable? Sure they are. As Ken says, it takes someone who knows what they're doing, and has the right equipment. Shops repair heater cores all the time, and a lot of them are 'luminuminum.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberYeah, welding aluminum takes actual welding equipment whereas solder and a sufficient heat source can repair copper tubing in a normal radiator. Also, you have to get the heat just right, otherwise the aluminum burns through at the weld and you create a larger hole than you started with. But boy, do the welds look nice in aluminum!
Our shop just started welding aluminum floor plate after using HRS (hot rolled steel), stainless steel and galvanized for years. Unfortunately, the weld is always the area where corrosion is going to take place first. Even the stainless we weld will rust at the weld if not properly treated. Not so with aluminum!
So yeah, I agree, find a rad shop that will and can repair aluminum rads if that's what you're looking for. Of course, in my driving history I think I can remember only ever having one leaky radiator. In my book, it's not a high risk complication to the purchase.
Just my two cents
Hey guess what? I own a radiator shop. Yes alum. rads can be welded, BUT! There can be no corrosion where your welding or the alum. melts down like plastic. You have to be good to do it as the alum. tubes a very thin. I often use an epoxy specifically made for alum. I have repaired hundreds of rads with it, and haven't seen it spit out yet. Its melting point is somewhere around 600 deg. I personally have a 4 row copper & brass rad. on my 71. Never had a problem with high temp. Copper & brass is much easier to repair, but it does corrode faster than alum. If you don't drive on salted roads and keep it clean it will last a long time. Sounds like the rad repairmen at that shop got no b.... (you know). Hope this opinion answers your question. Terry
