Re: Bracing Rods Bracket

Posted by Bob Carabbio on April 14, 1998 at 09:59:40

In Reply to: Bracing Rods Bracket
posted by Joe Domino on April 14, 1998 at 07:40:48

Hi Joe -
The bracket was soft-soldered on the top of the tank and can be soft soldered back on.The challenge is to get the mating surfaces clean and re-tinned, and not use so much heat that the Inlet fitting, and the filler neck are affected.
I think you may be able to do it with the shell on, but it seems that it would be worth the time to remove the shell for better access. - start by lowering the water level in the system, but leave about 1/2" above the tube level to protect the tank joint from heat.The joints at the neck and inlet can be protected with heat-dam paste which you can get at body-shop supply places.lacking this, wet rags stuffed into the neck and inlet will help, as will cooling the joint areas with a wet rag (cotton)often while soldering.
Using a bern-O-matic torch, heat the area on the top tank till the solder becomes molten, then wipe it off with a cotton rag (protect your fenders from flying solder) If the entire surface of the radiator tank where the bracket goes is still tinned (shiney) then flux it (with Nokorode paste) and add some fresh solder (63-37% solder if possible - don't use the new no-lead solder that's around).If it isn't shiney, but looks dull or oxydized, then you must re-tin by removing the corrosion down to shiney brass,and then re-tinning using wire solder and paste flux.Be careful of the heat since it builds up and will loosen the other parts of the radiator.
Same procedure with the bracket, but since it's steel, if it's corroded you may have to use acid flux to get it tinned.when both are tinned, re-apply the bracket to the tank, heat, and flow solder into the joint through the three holes in the bracket.let cool and test for leaks.If the neck or inlet came loose, then the same procedure applies, Remove - clean both parts - re-tin - sweat back on.
A radiator shop can do this economically, but you'd have to remove the radiator.
Bob Carabbio

E-Mail Comment to Webmaster