Radiator neck pliers?

RalphM

RalphM

Well-known member
Trying to get the outlets on my 35 radiator round again. I did a search online and can’t come up with anything because all the new radiators are plastic and aluminum, and the tools for them are completely different.
Does anyone know where I can get the old style pliers for reshaping the outlets on radiators?
Specifically looking for one that will do one and a half inches.
 
These aren't "old style" but they will probably do the job >


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The ones I remember when I used to work at a radiator shop when I was a teenager have a 90° Bend at the end and it goes in the radiator outlet to shape it properly. There were serrations on the 90 ‘ end but other than that look like a regular pair of pliers.
 
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No nothing like that. They kind a look like these in shape only but the ones I’m thinking of are metal and there are serrations on the outside of the bent area and when you squeeze the handle the jaws move apart. This will get the outlet round from the inside out.
 

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Ralph, I have a set of tail-pipe expanders like duce lover showed a link to. they come in several sizes. I have used them on radiators before, and they work fairly well, but you have to watch that you don't "dis-figure the flare " at the mouth of the outlet.
 
Yeah I guess I’ll have to use a muffler pipe expander, I just remembered a tool that was a whole lot different when I used to work at a radiator shop as a teenager.
 
David's idea to use progressively larger sockets does work. I recently did this on a squashed STEEL breather pipe for my Nash and it worked a treat, so with a brass radiator pipe it should work even easier.
I used the socket the wrong way around, fitting a 12 inch extension from the nut/bolt end, to make it easier to hold the socket and also putting the square drive side into the pipe first. Doing it this way around makes it easier as it then has a sort of natural taper going into the pipe. Once you have expanded the pipe as close to the original size, you can then use the socket inside the pipe as a sort of "DOLLY" while you use a small hammer to plenish out any dents IF necessary.
 
The Youtube link that Scott posted in message #18 is great. I like the use of the muffler clamp backer. I made this tool to make a "bump" for a trimmed SS radiator pipes using a very old pair of vice grips.

I marked a line around the pipe/tube OD and then made a few passes all the way around, The trick is to make the "roll" a little at a time.

Glenn
 

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