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

[DAPPH]

Nomad, have you looked here

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[Melvyn Best]

We had half a dozen or so radiator specialists in Cambridge at one time that would often record a rad while you waited, sadly I think they have all gone? Probably due to plastic and ally rads the like of which are often sold by motor factors

 

[rcx132]

in most cases paying almost as new for parts.

It was East Europe joining the EU that made used parts prices go up as all the parts started going over there.

Facebook is where the small scale breakers advertise and that's where I get my parts. I found a specialist breaker that works mainly with the model I was restoring and he became my go to source. Occasionally I get parts from abroad where old cars carried on being produced.

I also used to break my own cars, use what I needed and sell the rest.

 

[Cheesie]

You can sometimes get away with this stuff, more of a kerbside fix

 

[Onoff]

Crack an egg in it.

 

[Mark 5]

It was East Europe joining the EU that made used parts prices go up as all the parts started going over there.

Facebook is where the small scale breakers advertise and that's where I get my parts. I found a specialist breaker that works mainly with the model I was restoring and he became my go to source. Occasionally I get parts from abroad where old cars carried on being produced.

I also used to break my own cars, use what I needed and sell the rest.

FB like all other markets, you have to know your way around it, there are IMO very few, decent and fairly priced car parts to be had.

Years ago I use to own a Nissan Prairie, which I deeply regret getting rid of, a friend of mine still owns and runs one, they are now a rare thing in the UK.

Lack of parts he recently went as far a field as Russia and Poland to get what he needed.

 

[DAPPH]

Crack an egg in it.

For most cars adding a small tin of mustard powder to two beaten eggs ,it cooks nicely inside the rad and bungs up a lot of leakage as it reached the open air , lasts for years too similar to radweld but cheaper & better

 

[beeRS]

A Mk1 Escort radiator will fit a mk2 (they are mechanically near identical vehicles). Also some Capris, Corsair etc - any radiator from one of these cars that have a OHV Ford (aka Crossflow) engine will work. you can make the Pinto engine radiator fit too, by cutting the 90 degree top off, but that’s not a great idea.

If you want a aftermarket aluminium radiator, you don’t have to settle for shiny silver, as some manufacturers offer black powder coat. The added benefit of an aftermarket radiator is also mountings for a temp sensor and possibly a drain plug - both are handy to have. Cheap ones used to be about £200, but better ones are £300+ (if quality of welding work is important to you!). I paid £400ish for a black aluminium one about 7years ago.

Unfortunately the days of trawling a breaker’s yard with a tape measure, and seeing what will ‘fit’ what are long gone. Shame.

 

[Nomad]

After looking around I settled on a black painted alloy rad from Eb@y for £150 - it seemed a fair price and a lot cheaper than most of the others.

It looks like there are 2 shops run by the same seller, not a problems I just wasn't expecting it..

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The new rad is noticeably taller than the original, I like that it's higher capacity but it's a shame as the higher top means the original servo vacuum hardline now needs to be reworked for clearance.