Re: Repro vs. Original Radiators

Posted by Bob Bidonde on May 26, 1998 at 06:30:48

In Reply to: Repro vs. Original Radiators
posted by Brian Burkert on May 25, 1998 at 20:51:01

Having run both original & replacement radiators in both of my Model A's, I think an original radiator in good condition or perhaps a re-cored original radiator are better than any of the replacement radiators on the market today. I think there is a propensity to receive better workmanship in a re-cored original radiator making this a superior choice to any of the replacements.It is disheartening to pay $300+ for a 3-row replacement radiator and experience a poor fit to the radiator shell & corresponding hood misalignment. Even worse, the cores on both of my replacement radiators broke loose because of poor quality soldering at the bottom of the lower tank.
There is a flaw in assuming a radiaor that flow tests well will run well in a Model A. Consider this. Suppose the radiator is flow tested with a stock radiator cap in place and the overflow tube open. Do you think a flow rate of 37 gallons per minute could be had without any coolant being forced out of the overflow or out at the cap? Not likely. A closed flow test circuit is not realistic of actual operating conditions. However, it is a valid test of core capacity for the sake of rating the core.
The position of the overflow tube opening in the upper tank is important - the higher the better as the service bulletins indicate. Many of these tubes are broken off or too low in the tank. Sometimes, adding a piece of rubber tubing to extend the overflow tube works well. However, I notice that under normal conditions, the Model A will pump some out of the overflow tube when the radiator is topped-off. This can be seen by riding behind a Model A with A topped-off coolant level. Both of my Model A's seem to have a normal coolant level between the baffle and the top of the core tubes in the upper tank.
Lots of vapor / smell of antifreeze in the exhaust are indicative of a leaking head gasket or crack in the engine.

Follow Ups:
Re: Repro vs. Original Radiators Bob Johnson May 26, 1998 at 09:39:17(0)

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