My original (3155316) 1966 small block aluminum radiator has developed a few pin hole leaks. (In the center area, not the side tanks.) I talked to a couple of local radiator shops and they said that it couldn't be fixed. I'm not sure of that! One, Is there an epoxy type material that can be used on the outside to repair this area? And two, did anyone have any luck using "Barsleak Gold" Tablets/Pettets Sealant in the cooling system? Thanks Ken
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Re: C2 Aluminum Radiator Repairs?
Call Tom DeWitt and buy a new one. If you don't want to spring for the correct repo, he has a direct fit aluminum replacement for less money. You are jousting at windmills trying to repair the old one. -
Re: C2 Aluminum Radiator Repairs?
I had this problem too. While it's true that aluminum radiators can't be fixed compared to a brass/copper counterpart you might be able to buy some time using the epoxy fix. Ultimately, though, your radiator is worn out and will probably develop another leak sometime down the road in some other area. That's what happened in my case.
I had a leak between two cooling fins in the lower right of the radiator core. For the fix the leak area was cleaned and a 'plug' of epoxy was allowed to flow downward along the cooling fins to reach and seal off the leak area. I turned the radiator over and repeated the same process on the other side. A little black spray paint to hide the sin, and........PRESTO!..........It worked .. ! ..
You can certainly try this kind of fix to see how it might work out for you. Beware any long trips, though! . . . As for the Bar's Leak it will just clog up your radiator more so than it already is. Your radiator is more than likely already scaled up pretty well internally.
The fix held for a time but then reappeared. What to do .. ? .. The new 'fix' was a brand new DeWitt's repro aluminum radiator. .. .
JohnComment
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Re: C2 Aluminum Radiator Repairs?
Way back in the dark ages when I owned a radiator shop there was an epoxy kit to repair aluminum radiators. I am sure some of the repair shop suppliers still have these for sale. There was another product, called "radiator helper" I believe that worked pretty good in marginal radiators to buy a little more time. You sprinkled a powder in the radiator opeinings and then scattered it with an air hose.
Bars Leaks is good for the used car lot. As long as you are not going to see it again. I found several radiators plugged with Bars Leaks. I have disassembled engines and found the pellets in the bottom of the water jackets undisolved. Also another product that is good to plug your radiator is Alumna Seal. It will completely stop up tubes if over dosed.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: C2 Aluminum Radiator Repairs?
Forty plus years is pretty good! If you fix the leak another will develop soon. It's shot! Bite the bullet and buy a new date coded 316 radiator from DeWitts. You won't be able to tell it from original other than it will look new.
Change out the coolant using a 50/50 mix of Zerex G-05 and distilled water every two years and the new one will last at least fifty years.
Be sure to replace the mounting grommets, too - two bottom and one top.
DukeComment
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Re: C2 Aluminum Radiator Repairs?
Ken,
I agree with everyone in their assessment of your 316 radiator. It is probably shot BUT you can repair it if you are careful. This does not mean that it won't leak tomorrow or the next day BUT your Corvette will retain much more of it's originality.
Go to the warehouse that supplies Air Conditioning and Heating to Contractors. They will have Refrigerant Epoxy that is made for aluminum repair. You will need to clean the area of the leak but the information with the epoxy is self explainatory.
Good luck with your project.
Regards,
JRComment
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Re: C2 Aluminum Radiator Repairs?
Ken, been there, done that. Anything you do to your radiator will be a bandaid and not a cure. As others mentioned, if you have one or two pin holes, you have others waiting to spring a leak. What will you do 200 miles from home when the really big leak develops. You will be very happy with a DeWitts repro.
GaryComment
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How do the DeWitts do in judging ? (anyone) *NM*
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Re: How do the DeWitts do in judging ? (anyone)
When I replaced my old 64 rad with a Dewitts I spent about 1/2 hour checking the to out and the only differnce was the Dewitts look and was brand new.Comment
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