straightening radiator fins

[123hotchef]

seen a few ways to do this any one have any other ways/ideas, is it worth purchasing the proper tool for a £5?

its the L200s rad by the way.

Lee

 

[mechman]

I thing its called a radiator comb.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Draper tools do one for not many beer tokens

 

[DAPPH]

What caused your rad fins to get bent ?

 

[123hotchef]

What caused your rad fins to get bent ?

not sure the rad was like it when i brought it, more airflow through the rad will help keep the old girl cool

 

[marlinspike]

You can do it with small flat pliers too. I had a go at doing the fins on my condenser. It took ages and they were crumbling as I did it. I did wonder if you could just buy the fins to go in rads or condensers.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

http://www.arrowrad.co.uk/

This place helped me out for a friend who was doing up a Humber.
Spares fins were available as a slot in unit.

 

[marlinspike]

Thanks TYA, I'll note that for future use. I gave up on the air con condenser in the end and put it back on the car. A new one is about £80, but I'd rather spend the money finishing the bodywork really.

 

[ford34/2]

Just cut your own from some 1/4" plastic, correct spacing for fins. simple easy

Stan

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

http://www.drapertools.com/product/43256/Expert-Radiator-Comb-Cleaner-Kit

That's the link I was looking for.

 

[DAPPH]

133 HC , seeing as I'm going bald & don't need it anymore , would my comb be any good ...... as it has rounded teeth ends .

Yes you can buy rad cores c/w undamaged fins . I've repaired numerous rads & oilcoolers that were damaged or silted up or blocked with hair & oil etc . You'll need a gert big 28 ounce copper soldering iron , a 16 ounce one shaped like an axe head , some killed spirits & old fashioned tinmans stick solder .

Plus a decent big blow lamp etc to heat the whole header tank or the other end in one go so it falls off with out any problem .

When you've re soldered it up , make up an air connector that you can use with your tyre pump to pump up a water filed sealed up tank and check it will take 16 psi , then put the filler cap back in place and retest to see that the filler cap is working as it should .

Re fitting :- I used to tape carefully cut double wall corrugated cardboard over the fin area so I didn't put any dings in the fins during refitting .
Do remember to remove the cardboard once things are fitted .. Guess how I know you have to do that .

 

[DAPPH]

Yes you can rebuild a rad using new cores , but they are hard to locate theses days ..it used to be big business in the 1960's & early 70's .

I've replaced many a rad core set , done repairs to hose take of points , patched cracked header tanks and pressure tested the rads afterwards before re fitting them .

Have a peek at this eBay item , see if it is better than the part you've already seen as it is a simple straightener with several different fin spacing heads .( twice the price though )


eBay number 310895789004

 

[123hotchef]

I have a new ali rad here but i was doing to try and straighten the fins on the old one first

 

[DAPPH]

Hmmm aluminium radiator repairs , sounds like an interesting job to learn how to use my new multi purpose welding set on if it ever arrives from the merchant.

 

[roofman]

A lot of guys or should i say fools when using summit like a Hobby Karcher power washer on a sunday morning point the lance into the grill area thinking there cleaning the rad and "wham" every fin is folded over flat. Seen it many times on trucks and vans ive bought

 

[123hotchef]

A lot of guys or should i say fools when using summit like a Hobby Karcher power washer on a sunday morning point the lance into the grill area thinking there cleaning the rad and "wham" every fin is folded over flat. Seen it many times on trucks and vans ive bought

yep seen it too mate i always turn it way down and shoot from afar

 

[Hudmut]

 

[Shox Dr]

Ha just how I do it. Mind numbing

 

[123hotchef]

looks like i am going have a few hours work then dont it! my rad is much bigger than that intercooler and the fins are much finer and closer together

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Curiosity has got the better of me and I headed out to see a old friend at my local radiator supply place, stole a few cups of coffee and some information.

Radiator cores are available, the send them out to be re-cored and refurbished. He said it can be done at home, but when he explained what was involved, I don't think it is worth the hassle to do it for the cost.

I think this bit has bean covered. damaged to fins from pressure washing. He said on commercial and fleet cars that one of their biggest earners selling new/refurbished radiators.

But what was a shock was when he told me the craze for cleaning and showing off cars, (I think he means boy racers and car show nuts) is when some one cleans the fin with something acidic and other time it destroys the fins and renders it scrap. I live and learn.

I id pick his brains, coffee and hob nobs, and asked him about straightening the fins. His advise was;
"Why? it is making work and running the risk of damage. If thy are not to bad leave alone."
I saw them doing it on repair job, but that was to allow access.

I have done it in the past, but now I ask my self why.