Leaky radiator

B

bergie

Member
I am ready to setup my f1 engine after a rebuild so I have removed all the front body parts for better access. Now I need to remount at least the radiator so I can run the engine to make the necessary adjustments. The old radiator leaks at the bottom just above the lower tank. I would like to seal those leaks so I can use the old radiator and not risk the new one while I am still working around the front. Any ideas?
 
I had a similar problem of weeping along the edge of the top tank. I brushed it clean and painted on a layer of FlexSeal. You know, the stuff on TV that seals a screen door in the bottom of a boat. It has held up for two years with a four pound pressure cap.
 
In addition to the idea of Flex Seal, I was thinking of using POR-15 to seal it up.
 
Solder Seal has been around for almost 100 years. It works well for rad leaks. It's a powered that you put into the coolant. Worked every time I've had to use it.
 
It's hard to advise without looking at it. Assuming it's copper, why not heat it with a torch and resolder? I have had success with relocating my outlet fitting on a Walker rad. Just don't go to aggressive with the heat and loosen everything up.
 
Thanks to everyone for their replies. I was thinking of trying to get some two part epoxy pushed into the suspect areas. All the additives that I investigated require that the engine be run to circulate the powder. Since the engine is not ready to run at this point I decided they weren’t viable solutions. However I have both Flexseal and POR already. I will post how it worked. Thanks again, BergieB.
 
Since your engine is a fresh rebuild don't cut corners at this stage of the game as you want it to run as efficiently and cool as possible. Take your radiator to a repair
shop and have it 'rodded out", dipped and cleaned and then resoldered. Also get a pressurized cap while you're making improvements.
You will avoid problems later on. Like they say, "Pay me now or pay me later".
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top