Radiator field-repair

[fitterski]

the BIG rad discussed elsewhere met the inevitable loader edge and pierces 2 pairs of aluminum veins about center section bottom. First repair was onlty on one pair and failed because another pair was punctured next to it. Second attempt went like clockwork.

BE VERY PATIENT and well lit up, stuff is extremely fragile!

- separate aluminum foil fin-stuffing with hacksaw blade
- make room to work
- cut veins to be repaired with scissors
- make more room
- carefully just open each vein end with knife tip
- carefully expand ends a bit with thin screwdriver blade
- stuff 2 servings of glazier tape into each end
with small aluminum rivet nail cut flat ended
- devise pair of 1/4" clamp bars with aligned holes
- squeeze 1 (or in this case 2) vein pairs between

IT works, got 6 hours of line service since, no leak.

 

[Gordon Gould]

That looks like it could be a life saver for someone like me out in the boonies. I've never seen that done before.

gg

 

[LouNY]

I have done similar, clean out the area, clip square, fold and crimp, fold and crimp a second time.
Then try it many times you may have to leave the cap loose just turned to the first step.
That way there is no pressure in the system.
The boiling point of a 50/50 mix is still around 226F at sea level,
compared to about 265F with a 15# cap.
There are a lot of older pieces of equipment running around with a half loose radiator cap
because with the cap on tight and pressurized the pump or radiator will leak.

 

[Quebecguy]

I have done similar, clean out the area, clip square, fold and crimp, fold and crimp a second time.

A fold and crimp/fold and crimp repair lasted for years on the radiator of my 64 Plymouth Savoy back in the seventies. No need for a loose radiator cap either. I would think a tractor would be the same.

 

[fitterski]

I forgot to mention a mirror image job on the left, essentially isolating the bottom two rows in the middle. The new rad's on the way but this field-job sure saved my hide over the last three days!!!

i didn't think of folding, that sounds good too.