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- #21
What, in this case, is “that”?
Little weep from my radiator (1 Viewer)
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What, in this case, is “that”?
jblueridge
SILVER Star
I am not an expert in hydraulics, but it seems to me the bottom corner of a cruiser’s radiator is pretty far away from anything vibrating or spinning fast enough to cause cavitation and vapor bubbles. I am willing to believe that plain old vibrations and corrosion made some holes in the rad tank end cap.
I am lucky to have found a radiator shop staffed by older guys who really know what they are doing.
If I were you I would have the tank ends completely removed and inspected. The great thing about brass is it will readily accept solder: a good layer of solder could cover the problem areas.
Not very 21st century, but simple.
If you found the tank end caps are reasonably sound, they could be annealed to remove stresses from the original manufacturing process.
I am lucky to have found a radiator shop staffed by older guys who really know what they are doing.
If I were you I would have the tank ends completely removed and inspected. The great thing about brass is it will readily accept solder: a good layer of solder could cover the problem areas.
Not very 21st century, but simple.
If you found the tank end caps are reasonably sound, they could be annealed to remove stresses from the original manufacturing process.
The high actual temps versus the perceived normal to warm temps on the factory gauge. Middle on the factory gauge was like 240F on the aux gauge. I don’t want to know what the upper end of the factory gauge actual temp was the few times the temp gauge got there on the drive home from Georgia. That is why I say was probably the cause for the new head gasket going out finally.
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- #24
Reinstalled the Patched rad, running great.
Anyone ever use CLR to do a cooling system clean/flush?
Anyone ever use CLR to do a cooling system clean/flush?
Better make sure to do a THOROUGH flush and I am not sure how the water pump seal will react to the chemicals.
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- #26
We will. I work in a lab and have access to science grade distilled water. I flushed the system with that and will do another flush and any chemical cleaning followed by another full flush of DI
Still unsure on coolant flush liquids, anyone else use them?
If you have the money get the best new radiator or copper recore. With low miles, your tojo is a treasure and deserves to be loved.
Bush mechanic would crack an egg or two to get home with that sort of leak.
Radiator specialist I know who builds hotrods reckons the cleaners/flushes are a waste of money. Just reverse flush with a garden hose both ways through the thermostat housing (remove thermostat, replace that, they are cheap).
However, I also have an old merc, they recommend citric acid flushing. I got citric acid from a cake shop and flushed with it, not merc citric stuff, too overpriced and the same stuff. Look up radiator citric flush, if you want. I do with the merc but not my tojo, both are happy.
Not many mechanics bother to find the coolant plug on your engine block to thoroughly drain old coolant. Reverse flushing gets most of it, feels good. Not many mechanics would use distilled water either., no one would ever know, for sure!
But I like tojos being rough and ready, looks fine with kitchen hardware attached. Not like the merc..pia but cool.
Probably the most important issue as others have said, is leaving parked for a period. Cars require regular maintenance which includes changing radiator coolant which should, when fresh, mitigate corrosion.
Be thankful that you don't have a plastic ford radiator, they pop without warning in peak traffic height of summer, that has happened to me. Luckily pulled over before cooking the engine.
Mind you, I only can get an aluminium radiator with a plastic top for the merc off the shelf, unless I paid $$ for a custom copper. It is the way the world is steering.
Hotrod radiator guy reckons aluminium is easier to crimp the new tops back on, whilst copper fatigues quicker so not so good for crimping, but can be soldered easily. Labour to repair a copper rad can equal a new alu rad. Catch 22.
Put love into it and you won't look back.
Bush mechanic would crack an egg or two to get home with that sort of leak.
Radiator specialist I know who builds hotrods reckons the cleaners/flushes are a waste of money. Just reverse flush with a garden hose both ways through the thermostat housing (remove thermostat, replace that, they are cheap).
However, I also have an old merc, they recommend citric acid flushing. I got citric acid from a cake shop and flushed with it, not merc citric stuff, too overpriced and the same stuff. Look up radiator citric flush, if you want. I do with the merc but not my tojo, both are happy.
Not many mechanics bother to find the coolant plug on your engine block to thoroughly drain old coolant. Reverse flushing gets most of it, feels good. Not many mechanics would use distilled water either., no one would ever know, for sure!
But I like tojos being rough and ready, looks fine with kitchen hardware attached. Not like the merc..pia but cool.
Probably the most important issue as others have said, is leaving parked for a period. Cars require regular maintenance which includes changing radiator coolant which should, when fresh, mitigate corrosion.
Be thankful that you don't have a plastic ford radiator, they pop without warning in peak traffic height of summer, that has happened to me. Luckily pulled over before cooking the engine.
Mind you, I only can get an aluminium radiator with a plastic top for the merc off the shelf, unless I paid $$ for a custom copper. It is the way the world is steering.
Hotrod radiator guy reckons aluminium is easier to crimp the new tops back on, whilst copper fatigues quicker so not so good for crimping, but can be soldered easily. Labour to repair a copper rad can equal a new alu rad. Catch 22.
Put love into it and you won't look back.
@sodafeld1 .... "Bush mechanic would crack an egg or two to get home with that sort of leak."
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Grits* and black pepper will serve the same purpose if by chance you ate the eggs for breakfast.
*The food that keeps the Southern U.S. up and running.
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Grits* and black pepper will serve the same purpose if by chance you ate the eggs for breakfast.
*The food that keeps the Southern U.S. up and running.
jblueridge
SILVER Star
I have used the store bought flush stuff before. I am not sure if it works or not.
Maybe you can hijack some Alconox from your lab and use that as grease/gunk remover.
CLR sounds good depending on dilution.
Maybe you can hijack some Alconox from your lab and use that as grease/gunk remover.
CLR sounds good depending on dilution.
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- #30
I just bought some prestone stuff and skipped the CLR. It looked to aggressive to me. We will drain the DI and replace with Toyota coolant today.
