11/23/09
Re-coring My Radiator
As we determined last time, my 45 year old radiator core had reached
it's full life expectancy, and it was time to recore. The orignal core
was a two row core with pretty wide core tubes. For the diameter of
this core, we replaced it with a three row continuous fin core. Since
the old core had longer tubes, the efficiency should be the same, if
not slightly better. Portchester Radiator cut the top tank to fuse it
to the new core, but we'll see that a little later.
When I arrived at the shop, Walter had aready attached the bottom tank,
and was soldering the tank fittings. He moved with the speed and
efficiency that only comes with years of experience. When I asked how
long he'd been doing this, Walter explained he started fixing radiators
back home in Trinidad over 30 years ago! He's been with Portchester
Radiator for well over 20 years, and I can only imaging how many
radiators he's built over the years.
The top tank was a little different. After taking careful measurements,
Rick ordered a special core to graft part of my old tank to the new
part. We wanted to preserve the relief cut in the top header tank but
solder the new core just behind it.
Once the top tank was attached, the side steel support pieces needed to
be soldered in place. A little tapping and bending was needed to get
everything to fit nicely.
A special clamp was used to hold the two sides of the radiator together
while Walter soldered it together. I think this clamp has been working
on radiators longer than Walter!
It takes a practiced hand to add just enough heat to melt the solder to
hold the tank sides together, but not too much to melt the solder
that's already applied to the core.
With everything done, Walter pressure tested the radiator. The
craftsman's confidence was confirmed with nary a bubble from any joint.
Here's the completed radiator ready for a some light sanding, and a
coat of paint. With any luck, she'll last the next 40 years until the
next core!
I wanted to point out some things I learned from having my radiator
done. Ferrari radiator cores are made with "continuous fin" cores,
which means the fins are thin pieces of metal that the cooling tubes
run through at 90 degrees.
Many radiators have "serpentine cores," which are long pieces of metal
sandwiched between the cooling tubes like a serpent. Rick feels the
continuous fin design might be slightly stronger because all the pieces
are tied together, but millions of serpentine cores work without
problems. The real problem is installing what was original to a Vintage
Ferrari, and that's the continuous finned core. Know the difference,
and make sure if you're getting a new core, the correct one is ordered.
Portchester Radiator
308 Willett Ave.
Port Chester NY
914-939-3881
Just a reminder, I'm
looking for a
new Vintage Ferrari Project. If you have, or know of a restoration
project, please let me know. It would be great to restore another car
on this website! My E-mail.
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