auto rad restore

[bravekozak]

Thanks to 1990new, I now have a new project for my Festiva.
I just received a rad from an automatic Festiva. I will post updates from time to time of my rad rebuild. It will include a complete boil out to remove any sludge and paint, lathe and solder on a brass button to replace the missing one + a complete polish and lacquer for both reservoirs. I did the magnet test this morning. Both the rad supports and side supports are steel. The rest should be brass with copper fins.

[bravekozak]

I am going to take the rad in Saturday for a clean out.
I have found the expert I need.
Yorkdale Radiator.
He's only about a 10 minute drive north of me.
The next post will have pictures of the pressure test and boil out, from inside his shop.

[lessersivad]

Should look pretty nice when done.

[bravekozak]

As suspected, when you see corrosion on the lower fins, suspect a leak.
Ganesh melted the reservoirs off. I could have done it myself, as I have a wide nozzle for my acetylene. The amount of rust that I saw looking into the rad was scary. It really is making me think hard about non-aqueous coolant. I had no choice but to authorize a re-core.
The core is being shipped to Montreal. Only six channels allowed light to shine through. The rest were plugged with iron oxide.
He gave one reservoir a little glass bead.
I prefer brass reservoirs.
This rad does not have the same fan shroud mounts as the plastic reservoir ones.

[bravekozak]

Just need to paint the mounting ears black.

The stock rad cap polished up nicely!

I had a couple of extra pieces chromed up.

[Rick the Quick]

I didn't know anybody was still re-coreing these small radiators today. You can get a new one delivered to your door for next to nothing. Just my 2 cents worth. I will be looking for an all aluminum Civic radiator soon for my B6T car soon. Three row aluminum for $60 delivered. Chinese made I imagine. Junk? Perhaps? I will find out.