60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

[Stephen B.]

I have a 1960 with Harrison aluminum radiator. The filler neck is pitted and has some corrosion, resulting in leaks around the cap. Is there any chance of repairing? Please reference picture. Thanks!

[Edward J.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Steve, you could try some JB weld epoxy, smear it on with your finger and sand to conform the sealing area of cap. You will need to clean area with steel wool.

[Loren L.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Dremel with a wire brush and prayer.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Thank you for the advice, gentlemen! I will give it a try.

[Frank D.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Steve, you could try some JB weld epoxy, smear it on with your finger and sand to conform the sealing area of cap. You will need to clean area with steel wool.

I agree. Use the regular JB-Weld and not the Qik version which is only 1/2 as strong and 1/2 as heat resistant as the regular formulation. Sand the cured product down carefully and you may just get away with the repair. Here is a thermostat flange on an intake I repaired on my '63 with JB-Weld. It had corrosion pitting fairly heavily, but the repair has held up for two years just fine and leak free.

[Joe L.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

I have a 1960 with Harrison aluminum radiator. The filler neck is pitted and has some corrosion, resulting in leaks around the cap. Is there any chance of repairing? Please reference picture. Thanks!

Stephen------


I think that, as others have suggested, carefully cleaning with a small BRASS wire wheel on a Dremel tool followed by repair with JB Weld will work here. The thing I would be concerned about, though, is the abrasion of the JB Weld that might occur with repeated removing and re-installing the radiator cap. JB Weld is very strong but it's not real abrasion resistant.

If the abrasion possibility concerns you, another repair approach you might take is, after cleaning, weld up the corroded areas with the special low temperature aluminum welding rod available from the Cecil Muggy Company. If you're trepid about doing this yourself, many radiator shops are skilled at this type of welding. You could call the Cecil Muggy Company and ask for a referral in your area. After the weld repair, you could grind the area to original configuration with a Dremel tool.

One more thing, though: with this kind of corrosion evidenced here, it could very well be that similar corrosion exists throughout the radiator and this would be, essentially, irreparable. So, rather than spend good money after bad, a DeWitts reproduction might be in your near-term future whether you are able to repair this, or not.

One more thing, though: considering the corrosion evidenced here, it could well be that similar corrosion exists throughout the radiator. This sort of damage would be, essentially, irreparable. So, even if you are able to repair this damage, a DeWitts reproduction might be in your near-term future. Just be thankful that such a reproduction is available.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Thank you all for the advice!

[Ian G.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Joe, why not recore it? New cores are available, though they don't look strictly original I gather...

[Joe L.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Joe, why not recore it? New cores are available, though they don't look strictly original I gather...

Ian------


There are no cores available for aluminum radiators. The entire radiator is the "core".

[Jim D.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

One more thing, though: considering the corrosion evidenced here, it could well be that similar corrosion exists throughout the radiator. This sort of damage would be, essentially, irreparable. So, even if you are able to repair this damage, a DeWitts reproduction might be in your near-term future. Just be thankful that such a reproduction is available.

I'm surprised the OP doesn't have cooling issues. I'd be afraid to use a radiator in that condition. Call DeWitts. He makes a top tank radiator for a 60 that is a work of art. I put one in mine years ago.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Joe,
I found that a bit of SYL GLIDE on the rubber gasket helps a bunch to stop any wear.

Dom

[Ian G.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Ah right, I was thinking of a copper radiator. I have a 59.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Is it possible to weld a new aluminum filler neck to the radiator?

[Joe L.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

Is it possible to weld a new aluminum filler neck to the radiator?

Stephen------

It MIGHT be possible to do it but it would take a very experienced and skillful welder. Once again, use of the Cecil Muggy low temperature rod would be the way to go so, basically, what I recommended above would still hold.

You would be faced with the problem, though, of obtaining such a neck. The only source is going to be DeWitts and I don't know if they would sell the neck separately. As a matter of fact, if the repair could be done, DeWitts might be the best ones to do it IF they would even consider doing such a repair.

Like I mentioned earlier, I really think that repair of this radiator is unwise. This thing is 56 years old and almost certainly suffers from serious internal corrosion. It's only a matter of time (and, likely, a short time) before it starts to leak. Then, all of your efforts at savior will be for naught. If the car is destined to be a "trailer queen", then repair MIGHT make some sense. If you plan to drive it and want it to be reliable, forget the notion of any repair.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 60 Harrison radiator filler neck problem

I really appreciate everyone's time and expertise in helping me on this forum. Because I live in a rural area, and do drive the car a fair distance to various events, I will likely order a new radiator next week. Another consideration is that I do not have access to expert welders in my area. But I do appreciate the feedback from everyone.