radiator advice

[sho'd]

well i went out to warm up my sho and pull some codes and i see a nice coolant leak on the floor, it's coming from the damn rad, one thing after anouther, now here is my question, i think it is coming from the plastic tanks on the side, leaking from there, could i take this in and get it re-pressed, or whatever they do? if that is were it is really coming from? man i am getting depressed and my wife is getting POed. if it can't be done i think i will just get one from the salvage yard, they list one there for 105 canadian. what do you guys think?

On anouther note, does anyone know if there is a re-build kit for the altanator? man my list just keeps growning, i also have to do the strut rod weld, looks like that has come loose as well. have to find the thread on that.

 

[SASHO91]

yes... IIRC, they pull it apart and put a new gasket in and recrimp it...

 

[sho'd]

i take it this would more economcial, i guess i will call around tommorow and get some qoutes. thanks.

 

[etc1006]

I recrimped it myself. My good, clean, used radiator had a tank leak... The Chilton manual (I think) shows how to recrimp. I didn't even take it apart, was not in the mood for that can of worms... I can't remember the size... You take a pair of vise grips and set them for the size with a drill bit as the gauge. I guessed with my steel rule as I couldn't find my bits at that time. Then I taped up the bottom and filled with water for the day as I worked on other stuff for a static test. Then the next day I reinstalled it in the car and filled up and let it run for a good hour in the driveway with the cap on and it held. Still no rad leaks.. Just have to find the damn leak somewhere around the upper hose to the t'stat neck now... I thought (gotta love inspection mirrors) it was the hole from the staple that holds the band style clamp on when new... I cut that little bit off and it still leaks some... I might have one somewhere else under there from what others has been having lately...