Leaking radiator in a classic 70s Ford - ideas / suggestions/ suppliers / DIY recore ?

[GRW]

There's an old-school place near me in Carmarthen that still recores old rads and is generally very reasonable.
In my last job I used to take Rads off old generator engines that were between 20 & 40-years-old, some large enough to fill most of the bed on a tri-axle trailer to them - & they'd tackle & repair them.
Guy that owns the place (Mick) has always been spot on to deal with as well IME.
On past experience, a rad the size of an Escort's wouldn't cost in the hundreds. In any case, we'd take the Rad in to be assessed, & he'd come back with an accurate Estimate (& opinion) before doing the job.

 

[Smallfry]

I have got a new copper and brass one for a Volvo 240, but its crossflow and probably too big.

I repaired the rad on my little Yanmar digger with JB weld. It is a bit smaller than the one on an old proper Mini, but they wanted £700 plus VAT for that !

I too recall the happy days of rummaging in scrapyards in vehicles stacked high. Not allowed now.

 

[colnerov]

Yes good times rummaging around in breakers yards and sometimes coming across treasures, I never went in without loads of cash, so I didn't miss out on a find, you can't go and some more because it wouldn't be there when you got back.

The prices for Escort bits is due to 'scene tax'.

 

[8ob]

There's an old-school place near me in Carmarthen that still recores old rads and is generally very reasonable.
In my last job I used to take Rads off old generator engines that were between 20 & 40-years-old, some large enough to fill most of the bed on a tri-axle trailer to them - & they'd tackle & repair them.
Guy that owns the place (Mick) has always been spot on to deal with as well IME.
On past experience, a rad the size of an Escort's wouldn't cost in the hundreds. In any case, we'd take the Rad in to be assessed, & he'd come back with an accurate Estimate (& opinion) before doing the job.

Same here, we have Bagshot radiators at hand . They can recore anything with soldered tanks.

Bob

 

[Morris]

I've used Leicester Radiators a couple of times. Last one was a recore (uprated) for wifey's Pop rad. That was £280, done about 6 months ago.

 

[Onoff]

If going the repair route then a place in Exeter appears to have been going a while since 85:

Vehicle Radiator Repairs & More - Radiator Repairs

At Newquay Radiators and Exeter Radiators our experienced repairers pressure test, repair, rebuild, modify, build new and supply new radiators, intercoolers, oil coolers, heat exchangers, fuel tanks etc. from many industries and sectors.

www.radiator-repairs.co.uk

Others too around there it appears. You'll probably find there are spin off companies where people have left and set up on their own. Might be worth getting quotes and playing one off against the other to take advantage of any animosity

 

[Onoff]

Mods remove if off topic but just to show the importance of correct fitting parts.

My mate in California spent time and money on a rescue MK2 Capri. Hired a trailer and did a 1000 mile round trip to collect. It looked mint when done. He approached a legit battery place who spec'd a new battery that on their lists was right for the car:

Found:

Restored:

Battery was a tad too tall and shorted on the hood. He'd brought the battery home, fitted it, started the car. Slammed the hood and went inside. No inurance yet...

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I have got a new copper and brass one for a Volvo 240, but its crossflow and probably too big.

I repaired the rad on my little Yanmar digger with JB weld. It is a bit smaller than the one on an old proper Mini, but they wanted £700 plus VAT for that !

I too recall the happy days of rummaging in scrapyards in vehicles stacked high. Not allowed now.

Some of my earliest memories is our old boy sending me to climb a stack to see if a part was still there so he could get it lifted down. Later he didn’t even bother doing that, I just shimmied up with tools. Was a brilliant time and although a bit sketchy, I never got hurt

 

[Mark 5]

Mods remove if off topic but just to show the importance of correct fitting parts.

My mate in California spent time and money on a rescue MK2 Capri. Hired a trailer and did a 1000 mile round trip to collect. It looked mint when done. He approached a legit battery place who spec'd a new battery that on their lists was right for the car:

Lovely, really nice job, always thought Bronze or Metallic Blue was right for the Capri.

Never knew they did a 2.3, I live and learn.

 

[Cobbler]

Some of my earliest memories is our old boy sending me to climb a stack to see if a part was still there so he could get it lifted down. Later he didn’t even bother doing that, I just shimmied up with tools. Was a brilliant time and although a bit sketchy, I never got hurt

When I went to the scrappy one time, parked my tatty old Minor by the gate & went rummaging, when I came back the scrappy told me “someone wanted the radiator out of your car, I told them I don’t think the owner would like that”

 

[barracuda816]

Almost on a daily basis I am reminded the way the world is going is not in the right direction. Im not sure if that's just a part of growing older or we really are declining at an accelerated pace.

I have very fond memories of looking through scrap yards with my old man to keep the old banger running. And I feel sad I won't have that with my own son. I know we will and do already build other great memories, but most of my best are doing things that are now classed as dangerous. I spent most weekends rebuilding lawnmower engines that we were allowed to drag out the skip of a local repair shop. I never set myself on fire with the petrol that you can't now buy unless you are 16+ (although my dad did, trying to relight the incinerator one day with my petrol ) I never chopped my fingers off with the sharp whirly bits. OK, yes I have tinnitus and some injuries, but they were mostly from my adult life. Kids are not able to do anything fun anymore, exploring or real life learning etc.

Sorry for the rant, just feel sorry for the way of the world these days. And was just reminded of that with the talk of digging through scrap yards.

 

[Onoff]

Lovely, really nice job, always thought Bronze or Metallic Blue was right for the Capri.

Never knew they did a 2.3, I live and learn.

2.3L 4 cylinder, inline, Lima engine in the States.

As opposed to "our" 2.3L V6 used in the Cortina & Granada here.

 

[Smallfry]

Some of my earliest memories is our old boy sending me to climb a stack to see if a part was still there so he could get it lifted down. Later he didn’t even bother doing that, I just shimmied up with tools. Was a brilliant time and although a bit sketchy, I never got hurt

Much the same, my dad was as jubilant as Lawrence when I got some nearly new brake shoes for our old Hillman, from three cars up. I think I was eight or nine then !

Barracuda is right though, amazed that myself and friends survived to adulthood. Near us was a place called Whitewall creek on the river Medway. It was where old sailing barges and big pleasure craft went to die. Wood having no scrap value. We used to climb about and play on these rotten hulks, the girls too ! If one looked down through holes in what was left of the decks, there was jagged metal sticking out of glutinous mud. Mud which you would be lucky to get out of. No one thought anything of it, or said anything. Would all be fenced off now.

Maybe contemporary children would not see this as good fun though ? The few I know now, are loath to even get their hands dirty.

 

[Smallfry]

2.3L 4 cylinder Lima engine in the States.

As opposed to "our" 2.3L V6 used in the Cortina & Granada here.

Different front wings too by the looks of it ? I bet your mate is right pi**ed off

 

[Onoff]

Different front wings too by the looks of it ? I bet your mate is right pi**ed off

The US never got the MK3 Capri, stopped at the MK2. So the wings are the same as our MK2 but have the bfo side indicators. The oversize "federale" bumpers make it look different.

He has another 3 Capris. 2 what we would call a JPS but there called Black Cat. (Also did White Cat & Rally Cat). One 2.8, one 2.3.

His collection as was. He has another to replace the bronze one now:

Note how the US spec MK2 got quad headlights.

 

[500e]

Putting the tanks on a good core is not a problem, the good core is though
Cleanliness is everything with solder

 

[Smallfry]

The US never got the MK3 Capri, stopped at the MK2. So the wings are the same as our MK2 but have the bfo side indicators. The oversize "federale" bumpers make it look different.

He has another 3 Capris. 2 what we would call a JPS but there called Black Cat. (Also did White Cat & Rally Cat). One 2.8, one 2.3.

His collection as was. He has another to replace the bronze one now:


View attachment 455969

Note how the US spec MK2 got quad headlights.

My uncle had a few Capris, a Mk1 3000GT (written off) a Mk1 1600GT with the bonnet bulge, in which we ended up upside down on the M4 one night, and a Mk2 bought new. Had big single headlamps, indicators in front bumper ??? Memory a bit hazy though.

 

[Mick Annick]

Same here, we have Bagshot radiators at hand . They can recore anything with soldered tanks.

Bob

I can’t believe they’re still going, I was taking stuff to them in the 70’s

 

[colnerov]

There's Aaron Radiators in South London.

 

[8ob]

I can’t believe they’re still going, I was taking stuff to them in the 70’s

Down to just the boss man now Mick and moved from the a30 to Odiham a good few years ago. Still offer a top service, I have thrown a lot of oddball gear at him over the years and he always find a solution. Quite shocked at what folk on here are paying for a small rad recore, our man did a truck rad last year for less than £300.

Bob