We could be in trouble here....

[Thomas D.]

The furnace equipment to braze aluminum radiators costs somewhere between $700,00 to $2,000,000, depending on the size and type of equipment. The more it cost, the better it works. We have contracted out our brazing because of the obvious investment and the cost to maintain and run a furnace. There are not a whole bunch of companies that do control atmosphere brazing (cab). Over the past ten years we have lost three vendors because our low volume is not interesting enough for the high production furnaces. Last week I was told to move on again and now I have nobody that wants to do it. For now, that means the end of reproduction aluminum radiators as we know it. I am looking high and low for options but as I said, this is a rare process. The companies that have the proper equipment that can do it, don't want low volume. We are looking at long delays in getting these repro's and possibly some big increases in pricing. If I have to spend a million dollars to continue supplying these parts I can guarantee you the $800 radiator is long gone. So If have any knowledge regarding companies that do aluminum furnace brazing or dip brazing in prototype volume, let me know. Please don't google this subject and send me a list full of company names. Be there, done that.

[Joe L.]

Re: We could be in trouble here....

Tom-----

That's extremely bad news. I certainly hope that you are able to work this out. Would the existing brazers be willing to continue production at a higher per unit cost? While that would obviously increase the finished price of the radiators, it might be less than if you have to obtain your own equipment.

[Roy B.]

Re: We could be in trouble here....

That is what I am facing with the bubble tops. And had with the 55 shielding I did which I no longer do!. People just think they will always be there years down the road. Good luck

[Patrick T.]

What about Existing Orders?

Tom, I ordered one of your small block radiators on-line three weeks ago. I would appreciate knowing the status of whether or not existing orders will be filled. Thanks, Patrick

[Jim D.]

Re: What about Existing Orders?

Tom, I talked to you last week and ordered a #940. I too would like to know if existing orders will be filled ( I hope, I hope, I hope). Thanks and good luck resolving this issue. You are a valuable asset to the Corvette community.Jim

[Verle R.]

Re: We could be in trouble here....

Tom,

Is the problem overall volume or the volume of each individual style?

Verle

[Dave McDufford]

Re: We could be in trouble here....

Tom,

I bought one of your radiators a couple of years ago. To state the obvious, it is a great product and I think you are a class person. I hope you are able to work things out. Good luck.

Dave

[Joel T.]

Re: We could be in trouble here....

Tom,

I do not know what to say other than I wish you the best of luck in finding an alternative. I have one of your aluminum radiators in my '63 along with one of your expansion tanks; both just top notch.

This "hobby" needs top quality restoration parts, so I hope you hang in there regardless of what it means by way of price increases....

I'll be by for a '61 radiator and tank in not too distant near future...

Joel

[Stephen L.]

Re: We could be in trouble here....

Griffin Radiators builds aluminum radiators for the NASCAR and streetrod industries. Possibly they have the ability if you haven't already contacted them. They are located in Piedmont SC

[Thomas D.]

Griffin

Griffin is one of our biggest competitors with the Direct Fit line and they would have nothing to do with us. Griffin uses a process called Vacuum brazing which is not as good as CAB (Nocolok) named after the flux used. Vacuum brazing results in about 80% leak free cores, and 20% leakers. That is why all their radiators are epoxy filled after brazing. Griffin has lost 90% of the nascar business to CNR racing, which uses Visteon cores (cab brazed, no epoxy)

[Thomas D.]

Existing Orders

Our last supplier has given us a few weeks to go shopping and we should be able to fill all the orders we have. The priority will be on the ones with the most volume and that order is 941, then 942, then 944, then 943, then 955, then 940, then 945. So if anyone has one of these 940 or 945 you, could be waiting a while. I didn't want to panic anyone with this thread, I was just hoping that there was someone in the hobby that knew of someone or some company and might be able to help.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Existing Orders

Tom,

Are you not taking any more orders at this time due to this?
If the radiators are going away, I would be interested in one for my 72 and I'm sure others would be interested in a "last" order as well.

Patrick

[Thomas D.]

New Orders

I am not accepting any new orders at this time but this is NOT the end of resto rads. I have a trip scheduled next week to check out a potenial brazing company and I am researching other methods. The long (2 years) term plan is to build a new 12,000 s.f. manufacturing building and install my own system.

[Patrick H.]

Re: New Orders

Tom,

Thanks for the update. The 72's rad is borderline, but I was hoping to leave it until after 5th Star Bowtie in 2007. So, if you'll be continuing with the plan then I can hold off for now.

I assume you prefer not to use an offshore source?

Patrick

[Verle R.]

Re: Griffin

It may be worth exploring other, non competing, manfacturers to attempt to partner with them on the brazing. Not the best situation I know but might keep thing going without a serious interrupt.

Good luck,

Verle