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  #1  
Old 07-26-2012, 07:50 PM
davew833 davew833 is offline
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Radiator crack...

Anyone had any luck patching the inevitable crack that appears on original radiators under the filler neck after a while? I've heard epoxy, JB weld, etc., but is there any trick to the application to make it work better/hold longer?
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  #2  
Old 07-26-2012, 07:54 PM
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Re: Radiator crack...

drill a small hole at each end of the crack to hopefully stop it from continuing to spread. Prep the surface by sanding to give whatever your using something to bite on to.
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Old 07-26-2012, 08:30 PM
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Re: Radiator crack...

What Dave said plus replace that upper rad hose and check your motor mounts for excessive play.
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Old 07-26-2012, 08:39 PM
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Re: Radiator crack...

JB marine weld works pretty well. I didn't drill holes in mine but I sanded it with like 50 grit sand paper. Lots and lots of sanding. You want it really rough.
Then I used two applications of JB weld. First about 1/8 in thick and the second (sand again beforehand) about 3/8 thick on top of the first layer. Basically I filled up the indentation in the plastic radiator top to make it have a square corner.
It lasted about 6 months until I bought my aluminum radiator, so I was pretty happy with it. Make sure to let the JB weld cure for long enough.
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Old 07-26-2012, 09:04 PM
Blacky Blacky is online now
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Re: Radiator crack...

Or bite the bullet and buy a new one for $131.80 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-93-94-9...m=120837762868
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  #6  
Old 07-26-2012, 11:04 PM
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Re: Radiator crack...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacky View Post
Or bite the bullet and buy a new one for $131.80 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-93-94-9...m=120837762868
Lots of things can happen when your car goes down the road and your coolant doesn't go with it and none of them are good. Since any patching is temporary... Get yourself a new Radiator.

Keith
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Old 07-27-2012, 09:41 AM
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Re: Radiator crack...

Wow! That ebay radiator is CHEAP!

I paid over $1,000 to get my new radiator - mind you it is a PWR core with a custom polished chrome top.

I had NO luck with patching the top tank of the OEM radiator...

As you are in the US of A and so is that ebay radiator, I would recommend not messing around with such a crucial part of the cooling system.

That's my 2 cents....
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Old 07-27-2012, 08:23 PM
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Re: Radiator crack...

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRADY View Post
Wow! That ebay radiator is CHEAP!

I paid over $1,000 to get my new radiator - mind you it is a PWR core with a custom polished chrome top.

I had NO luck with patching the top tank of the OEM radiator...

As you are in the US of A and so is that ebay radiator, I would recommend not messing around with such a crucial part of the cooling system.

That's my 2 cents....
Good advice - gamble with that radiator and the next thing could be a headgasket.
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