Best place for brass radiator resto

[Michael L.]

Guys,

I'm getting ready to send out my radiator for a resto from my 69 350/350 4spd non A/C car and wondering if I should send it out to just a good local shop or if I need to have it done by someone specifically. It's a brass radiator and I attached some pics if that helps.

Mike

[Patrick H.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

I just had one done locally by a place that has done at least one for me previous.
When I brought it in, I was extremely specific that the upper and lower bars from the original radiator (with the rectangle and square holes) be reused when it was recored. They did that for me, and fixed a few dents in the brass tanks.

I did end up buying some Eastwood Radiator black paint to finish it off, as the paint job on it isn't quite as nice as I would like. That will get painted tomorrow.

[Michael L.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

Thanks Patrick. As you can see in the photo my upper and lower bars have some surface rust. Should I sand blast those areas prior to bringing it in or will the shop address that with the hot tank?

[Dick W.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

Hot tank should take care of the bars. My guess, from experience in owning a radiator shop, is that the radiator will have to be re cored.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

As Dick noted. You might want to see if they will verify that the bars are clean when they reinstall.

[Richard F.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

DeMusis Radiator, (203) 469-1194 They do a lot of high end restoration work including Corvettes, their attention to detail is excellent, they glass bead (sand blast is too aggressive) they will leave it unpainted if you request, your tags will be placed as they were or as you request dents will be removed, it will be tested before and after work is done etc.They have been in business about 45 yrs. and they are HONEST PEOPLE, attached is photo of 1974 radiator I just had done.

Rich F.

[Joe R.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

Those boys are good. That's probably better than the original, at least the soldering job.

Thanks for that number. I'll put it on the wall. Earlier I had Walker Radiator in Memphis do my brass radiators but they have discontinued doing Corvettes as they specialize in Hot Rods Only.

JR

[Richard F.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

Over the years they've done several radiators for me, they take pride in their work, and are reasonably priced in the market place. They also do work for Black Horse Restoration in Stratford, CT. and can fabricate parts as well.

Rich F.

[Michael L.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

Thanks guys. I'll give them a call.

[Duke W.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

...suggest you contact Tom DeWitt and go from there... best to get a core with the OE tube and fin count, which should be listed in the AMA specs. If it still has the metal ID tag attached, remove it for safekeeping and reinstall when the radiator is ready to go back in the car.

Duke

[Michael L.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

Sorry Duke who is Tom DeWitt? Also, can you please expound upon your above statement, "best to get a core with the OE tube and fin count, which should be listed in the AMA specs". Isn't that what I already have in my original radiator?

[Duke W.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

Dewitt's radiator makes an essentially perfect repro of the ...316 aluminum radiator used on most small block C2s. He also makes excellent replacements for most other Corvette radiators. Consider him to be the first "go to" guy when you need a new radiator or core.

I suspect you need a new core, or maybe a whole new radiator if the core end plates and tanks are shot. A generic core may not have the same tube/fin density, which means it may not the same heat transfer capacity at OE. That's another reason to contact Tom, tell him your situation, and get his recommendation.

Given the age of your radiator and repair history, I'd suggest a brand new radiator that meets all OE specs is the way to go. With a 50/50 blend of Zerex G-05 antifreeze and distilled water that you change at least every five year you will likely never have to deal with the radiator again.

Duke

[Richard F.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

Mike

A call to Tom would be worth the information, I could be wrong but I don't think Dewitt is reproducing copper radiators or cores. Cores would be available in different tube specs and fin count, by different manufacturers. I've never seen an exact reproduction of the COPPER RADIATORS.

Rich F

Sorry Duke who is Tom DeWitt? Also, can you please expound upon your above statement, "best to get a core with the OE tube and fin count, which should be listed in the AMA specs". Isn't that what I already have in my original radiator?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Best place for brass radiator resto

I suspect you need a new core, or maybe a whole new radiator if the core end plates and tanks are shot. A generic core may not have the same tube/fin density, which means it may not the same heat transfer capacity at OE. That's another reason to contact Tom, tell him your situation, and get his recommendation.



Duke

Dewitts did make a copper core for a few years, but does not any longer. And, they never made a complete radiator. As such, the only option for those of us with brass/copper radiators is to have them recored using our original tanks.

Yes, you could send it to Tom, but for the cost of shipping both ways you can discuss it with some one local and have it done. That's what I did, and what others do as well.