Not that many years ago my town of 10,000 thats located 8 miles away always had 2-3 radiator shops..Just a few months ago the last shop in town closed due to a lack of business....None of the neighboring towns have radiator shops....Now its a 50 mile drive to the closest shop in a town of 20,000...One of these days us antique tractor,car,and truck guys will be in trouble getting an old radiator repaired....
- Thread starter 1206SWMO
- Start date
My experience has been its about the same cost many times to get a radiator repaired as it costs for a new one. However the repaired one will always be better quality than the new ones being made today. Its the same situation around here with starters and generators. Hardly anyone repairs them.
Radiator shop in our town closed at least 10 years ago; there's one about 15 miles away that appears to be doing alright. Carried radiator off an '80 model CJ-5 over there Monday....asked what he thought. He said if'n I can fix it (including boiling it out), it would be about 65 bucks; called yesterday and said it wasn't worth fixing......which didn't surprise me. Looked on line.......$155-$400 for new (BAD reviews for the cheap ones). He said he could have one today for $199 plus tax, but it'll be aluminum with plastic tank or..........original (copper) about $375. Going with the cheap, since I don't put many miles on the thing. His shop also does mufflers, heads, some tires; seems to have a thriving business......based on appearances.
ObsoElitist
Member
I used to build replicas and repair radiators for vintage cars. Nasty work and the Govt does what they can to make it harder. All of the cores I used came from Australia and New Zealand. Expect surviving shops to charge more and have a longer wait. I just did some repairs to one on a vintage Engish Ford I own yesterday. For most vehicles an aluminum and plastic replacement is not only cheaper but cools much better than an imported brass radiator, but it just doesnt look right. Those new brass ones are nearly impossible to repair as the brass is very thin, but they are reasonably priced.
Protect your radiators by using coolant test strips to keep the PH levels in check, it is cheaper and safer for the machine than changing coolant according to a calendar
Protect your radiators by using coolant test strips to keep the PH levels in check, it is cheaper and safer for the machine than changing coolant according to a calendar
Tom in TN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Southern Middle Tennessee
1206,
Same thing here in Middle Tennessee. The radiator shop in Columbia, TN closed about 5 years ago. Someone reopened it about 2 years ago, but he has subsequently closed.
I suppose there's at least one shop in Nashville, but I don't have any idea who or where.
Tom in TN
Same thing here in Middle Tennessee. The radiator shop in Columbia, TN closed about 5 years ago. Someone reopened it about 2 years ago, but he has subsequently closed.
I suppose there's at least one shop in Nashville, but I don't have any idea who or where.
Tom in TN
luv2wrench
Member
Truth of the matter is that all the guys that knew how to repair radiators are dying off..........
Great Radiator repair shop in Octavia Nebraska. Repair shop number is in the phone book. Fixed a lot for me.
Great Radiator repair shop in Octavia Nebraska. Repair shop number is in the phone book. Fixed a lot for me.
Dave H (MI)
Well-known Member
We have a fella locally who tests and repairs rads in his shed. Fair price, no frills. A little off the beaten path but everyone knows who he is.
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
Up here at the lake of the Ozarks there is one place you might be able to get to work on one. Cost $75 just to have them look at in and that does not mean they will or can fix it.
jim castleman
Member
In northeast In. the small shops have went out of business, the larger ones left only want to recore or sell new ones for the same money.
Radiator shops and automotive machine shops as well have dissappeared. If you need to get a block bored or heads shaved or valves ground or flywheels surfaced your outta luck 'round here. We're about a population of 100,000 with a rather large industrial farm base and no repair support. Of course if you ask anyone around here (Big Operators) they'll just shrug and say they "always just buy new John Deere". Mostly they complain about having to support their own repair facilities with support trucks. "Just Buy New"!!! I don't understand it, but as it was explained to me, "Just Get Over It". I'm a very small operator with one old 35 hp. tractor, I just don't belong anymore I guess. bjr
I haven't needed one in a very long time, so to be honest I have no idea if there are any left around here.
There was one a few towns over that I will always remember because of the sign in front of the shop: "A great place to take a leak".
Haven't been by there in a few years, they may be gone.
There was one a few towns over that I will always remember because of the sign in front of the shop: "A great place to take a leak".
Haven't been by there in a few years, they may be gone.
No. It's technology. The new rads do a better job of cooling, aluminium coils transfer heat better. Aluminium engines give off heat faster, so you need smaller rads, and the plastic tanks are cheaper to make. And they don't have to be fixed as often, less seams in the product means fewer leaks. Reliability is getting better all the time. I had to replace rads and heater cores on several vehicles when I was young, and now I put more miles on the vehicles, and keep them longer with fewer repairs. I haven't done any in years.
You simply can't blame the "gubermint" for all your problems.
jimg.allentown
Well-known Member
Most modern vehicles use the aluminum cores with plastic tanks. They are not very fixable. Aluminum is not easily soldered or welded in such close quarters and such thin material. Plastic tanks are pretty much done once they crack. The cost to repair in almost every case will exceed the cost of replacement. NEW radiators from many of the parts houses are under $150.
The older brass radiators have a different problem. Over time, the material gets thin from corrosion and brittle from continuous heating and cooling cycles.
I can see why the old time shops are going under. There just isn't much to fix anymore, and labor costs as well as overhead have skyrocketed. I'm sad to see them go, but I knew for a long time that it was inevitable.
The older brass radiators have a different problem. Over time, the material gets thin from corrosion and brittle from continuous heating and cooling cycles.
I can see why the old time shops are going under. There just isn't much to fix anymore, and labor costs as well as overhead have skyrocketed. I'm sad to see them go, but I knew for a long time that it was inevitable.
We must be lucky here in southeast Indiana/ Greater Cincinnati area. I know of two large radiator shops, one of which builds from scratch and repairs radiators, charge air coolers, heat exchangers, etc. Cinti. Radiator rebuilds and repairs units I believe in at least a 500 mile radius and the quality is flawless.
They do all of my work, (I'm a diesel and heavy equipment mechanic) everything from making obsolete convertor coolers to repairing radiator and charge air coolers from 2500 horsepower units.
They do all of my work, (I'm a diesel and heavy equipment mechanic) everything from making obsolete convertor coolers to repairing radiator and charge air coolers from 2500 horsepower units.
Conventional/repairable radiators are now only being installed in heavy duty applications: commercial trucks, construction equipment, farm equipment, etc. Very few automotive radiators are cost effective to repair. There is no longer enough demand to support a high number of small radiator repair shops. The industry is already consolidating to fewer shops who's main business is only the heavy duty applications.
Radiator repair may go the way of clutch repair, turbocharger repair and injection pump repair: order a rebuilt unit, swap the parts and then return a repairable core.
Radiator repair may go the way of clutch repair, turbocharger repair and injection pump repair: order a rebuilt unit, swap the parts and then return a repairable core.
No. It's both.
Having been a design engineer for a major US automobile manufacturer for many years, I am well aware of radiator technology, previous and current.
I certainly do not blame the government for "all of my problems."
That said, I am far to well educated, read and informed to to deny that government, especially the federal government is not enormously damaging to business in the United States.
I am also a realist.
Dean
Having been a design engineer for a major US automobile manufacturer for many years, I am well aware of radiator technology, previous and current.
I certainly do not blame the government for "all of my problems."
That said, I am far to well educated, read and informed to to deny that government, especially the federal government is not enormously damaging to business in the United States.
I am also a realist.
Dean
Mark - IN.
Well-known Member
I know of a radiator shop in Joliet, IL. called "Plese Radiator" on Ruby St, Black Rd. I'm from Indiana, live in Indiana, work mostly in Illinois, some Indiana. There's a fella that must own that place that is there every single work day, Monday through Friday, but I've never seen a customer. I see the guy out walking the lot picking up paper and trash, even up and down the street and across the street, picking up trash. He cleans the bathrooms that are outside like an old gas station. He shovels the place with a shovel. He doesn't miss a day as far as I know. The sign in the window says "OPEN", and he has tools in the garage. I wave at him if I'm in the area and pass by, he waves back. I honest to God sometimes wonder if he's a widower and doesn't know what to do with himself, so he shows up at the shop because thats what he's done all of his life. Beats me. Next time I go by, I need to stop by and talk to the old fella.
I just did a Google on it, and its there. So you Illinois fellas that need some radiator work... 370 Ruby St, Joliet, IL 60435 (815) 722-4147. Stop by and see the old fella. I don't need a radiator fixed, otherwise I'd toss it into my AT&T van and drop it off if for no other reason than to have a cup of coffee with the guy, and I hate coffee.
Mark
I just did a Google on it, and its there. So you Illinois fellas that need some radiator work... 370 Ruby St, Joliet, IL 60435 (815) 722-4147. Stop by and see the old fella. I don't need a radiator fixed, otherwise I'd toss it into my AT&T van and drop it off if for no other reason than to have a cup of coffee with the guy, and I hate coffee.
Mark
Oh heavens no no no no...
"Copper has a 60% better thermal conductivity rating than aluminium {SNIP}"
"This is higher than all other metals except silver {SNIP}."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_in_heat_exchangers
Further reading if you want better cooling than copper or silver (you wont find anything).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_thermal_conductivities
tractorguy2
Well-known Member
There is a radiator shop about 35 miles from here. he is all ways behind. has a shed full or radiators to repair. if he tells you it will be done in three days. You might as well plan on it being 5-6 days.
It is dang expensive to fix a radiator. Dad replaced the radiator in a Ford 8n for a guy. Dad then decided to have the old one fixed. It cost $280 to boil it out and fix the leak. The new radiator dad bought was like $129.00.
It is dang expensive to fix a radiator. Dad replaced the radiator in a Ford 8n for a guy. Dad then decided to have the old one fixed. It cost $280 to boil it out and fix the leak. The new radiator dad bought was like $129.00.
parisspringstom
Member
I have a leak in my 860 radiator and wish I had it at out at a shop now. I have thought about just buying a new one and have this one fixed as a spare. I hope there is a shop in springfield, mo.
Local guy here charged me $65 to fix an 8N radiator. Fair price.
He did decent work, no leaks, worked well. Wasn't pretty.
He's done two for me and two others he said weren't fixable.
I have one that I can't buy a correct replacement for, so I want
to have it fixed but I'd really like to have it re-cored and this
guy says he doesn't have a source for the core.
He did decent work, no leaks, worked well. Wasn't pretty.
He's done two for me and two others he said weren't fixable.
I have one that I can't buy a correct replacement for, so I want
to have it fixed but I'd really like to have it re-cored and this
guy says he doesn't have a source for the core.
If it's leaking and not just plugged up pour in 4 cans of pet milk. No kidding it's the best rad repair ever. I've got a tractor and a ford bronco and both have a few cans in them. An old guy that had worked his entire career in an Alaskan sawmill told me to do this. I'd guess he's at least 90 years old. Was telling us this one morning at coffee. The best part was him telling us how ------ the cook was.
ObsoElitist
Member
True, but traditional radiators are brass, and that applies only if it has no insulating layer of corrosion. Aluminum radiators also have more tube surface for a given radiator size.
dr sportster
Well-known Member
Problem is the new radiators are yank out and replace. I go to a guy in the inner cty who sends you a Christams card, only deals in new and they are made in USA.. The real repair radiator shop is surviving well but they are pursuing alot of work coating the inside of motorcycle tanks.
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