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Vintage radiator repair - help !
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Paulmags



Joined: 02 Feb 2018
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 5:49 pm    Post subject: Vintage radiator repair - help ! Reply with quote

Help very welcome.. we're in at the deep end now looking after our dad's vintage Morris Bullnose.  Unfortunately the radiator has sprung a little leak after the very cold weather. Having filled it with water, and only when pressing it a little, we find a small leak between the solder and base tank i.e. where it looks like the base is soldered around the core. Being something to be very careful with we'd welcome any thoughts around the problem and how to approach a good repair. We're based in Edinburgh so also wonder where other people might have been impressed with (Scotland/north England), or not !
Photos should be available here
https://photos.app.goo.gl/53KLivf8SmIDfmxW2

- the leak is circled on the screenshot.
Big thanks..
Paul
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 8:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the forum from another Edinburgh resident.

Unfortunately the only radiator repair that I've had professionally done was in the south of England so I can't suggest a local company.

The only thing I can suggest is to contact the Scottish Association of Vehicle Enthusiasts http://www.wheelsofyesteryear.org.uk/

and ask there for a recommendation.

The club covers vehicle of all ages and is very freindly.

Peter
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petelang



Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 442
Location: Nottingham

PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 12:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try these guys:
https://www.britaine.co.uk/serck-marston-F120EC9001AD341

I have had work done by these people in Nottingham and they were reasonable, efficient and very knowledgeable.
They also make fuel tanks and service all kinds of heat exchangers.
Peter
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viteran



Joined: 02 Dec 2016
Posts: 11
Location: South yorkshire

PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 7:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
I took a photo of a “repair” from 1934 practical motorist and I think I have copied it Next to your picture of the radiator
Looked too difficult to upload picture to forum let me know if it worked
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Paulmags



Joined: 02 Feb 2018
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 9:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks folks, that's greatly appreciated and I'll look at what's suggested. The catapult elastic solution from the newscutting certainly was interesting too !
We're just hoping it's a small problem repair and there's not a nasty problem ahead.
Any recommendations still very very welcome - even if its further away.

Paul
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Penman



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4751
Location: Swindon, Wilts.

PostPosted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 10:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi
I had a problem with a heater heat exchanger which was leaking between the bottom, plastic?, tank and the core.
I squeezed silicon sealer into all the gaps both sides and did the same to the core/header join as well.
Didn't have another leak during the 3yrs until I changed car and that was on a pressurised system.


As yours isn't a pressurised system I have to wonder if a modern sealer would do the job as well as solder.
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Paulmags



Joined: 02 Feb 2018
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good point Penman and that it mightn't be a major problem - fingers crossed.

I've managed to properly upload the photos to the forum too !





Or here if it doesn't work !!!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/53KLivf8SmIDfmxW2


Last edited by Paulmags on Mon Feb 05, 2018 6:56 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Kenham



Joined: 12 Mar 2012
Posts: 209
Location: Kent

PostPosted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is a job to see but if you clean all that paint off it looks like it could be a simple job with a large soldering iron. Mind you I have said that before.
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

While I wouldn't normally opt for an out-of-the-bottle solution (no pun intended), it might be worth giving K-Seal a try if it's only a minor split as I've heard good reports about it, and have used it myself on a couple of occasions.

RJ
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winchman



Joined: 21 Feb 2014
Posts: 235
Location: Merseyside

PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.oldhamindustrialheatexchangers.com/Radiators.htm
This place are very good and I an certain they would help.
I have used K seal with good results too
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Paulmags



Joined: 02 Feb 2018
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 2:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks everyone for all the help and advice. Just to let you know how I got on.

Firstly with thanks to Peter’s suggestion I did follow up with the Scottish Association of Vehicle Enthusiasts. You were right that they’re a good helpful and friendly bunch so I’ve joined up too. They were great in knowing things local so suggested Scotrad.

I was well impressed with Scotrad who said it was too risky to use heat on such an old radiator so they used a spray sealant to fix the tank and a few tricky and inaccessible leaks that were in one tube. It was nicely done too and a likely but not definite fix. It had been filled with water ok so it was looking good. With some nervous anti freeze filling of the radiator I was gutted (ok.. maybe I did swear..) that a leak appeared. That was always a possibility and the agreed next step was to use some liquid sealant too. Thankfully that did the trick, stopped the drips, so things are looking good. Phew !

I’ll keep in mind the other info so thanks for that too.

Paul
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jp928



Joined: 07 Jun 2016
Posts: 249
Location: Australia

PostPosted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 4:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My problem is in the same area but different. After much attempts at descaling (water not going all through core), temp still too high, and leaks.
Can anybody with a similar size engine (1074cc), and a honeycomb rad (in good condition) advise their experience please? Does it provide reliable cooling, or is it marginal? The car has a water pump, if that means much. The options are a new core in same type of tubes (looks the same) (GBP590 + shipping to OZ + fitting here) or local work to fit a modern core behind a facade of honeycomb - cost unknown so far? Would rather not do the latter.
thanks
jp
26 Rover 9
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Kenham



Joined: 12 Mar 2012
Posts: 209
Location: Kent

PostPosted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

JP, would it be possible to fit another radiator in on a temporary basis to see what happens . I have had problems with a machine that overheated quickly and never really found out why but another rad cured the problem. Water seemed to run through quickly but I suppose some of the tubes were blocked.
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jp928



Joined: 07 Jun 2016
Posts: 249
Location: Australia

PostPosted: Tue Mar 06, 2018 2:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had thought about fitting another radiator to check that its the problem, so I should probably do that before I lash out on a new core. Based on capacity, one from a mini or an old minor ought to be enough , if in good condition. Will start looking for something asap.
thanks
jp 26 Rover 9
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Paulmags



Joined: 02 Feb 2018
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Thu Aug 17, 2023 1:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry Peter Scott, just looking at this post of years ago I’ve realised that it was you who suggested the good folks of SAVE in this post and we’ve been at the same gatherings! My apologies!!!
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