Radiator for JCB

[Richard]

I've got a 1550-B, built sometime around 1987.

couple years ago the radiator was leaking so I took it out to be fixed. I debated on replacing it but at $700 or so... I hesitated. (might be worth knowing I use this as a home owner, it doesn't earn anything for me)

They fixed it... and now the radiator is leaking again. Called for price and NOW, with the dollar falling, it's $1,700 or so for a new radiator

I am wondering.... when I took it to the radiator shop, several years ago, they told me they could order a new core for it and just replace the guts (not from JCB).

I'm wondering if I did that... if I might reasonably expect the part they put in to last?

Reason I'm concerned... I bought this used and as it turned out... someone prior to me had cobbed together a radiator for the oil. They stuck some kind of water/automotove radiator in there. I put a new (proper) hydralic radiator in there and when I pulled it out of the box I was amazed... darn thing has tubes something like one inch in diamater with fins on it... CLEARLY 'industrial' version compared to the wimpy radiator that was in there.

Now that I need water, I'm wondering if I can fix this "properly" without spending $1,700.

If spending that amount is the BEST way to fix it and fix it right then I'll do it that way... I just don't want to

 

[tlbuser]

A decent radiator repair shop is a very good choice. If it can't be repaired, then recore. I always use that route first, replacement second. You have every reason to expect the repair to last. Do they warranty their repairs? If you want new, you could try here
Industrial Radiators All Types

 

[AlanB]

As tlbuser said, good radiator shop can hook you up with a recore. That would be my approach.