Does any body out there has any knowledge of "solutions" I could
use to open up a partially
clogged flat tube 14 radiator short of having it rodded.
"Partially clogged" doesn't sound good at all. I recommend that you simply bite the bullet and get it rodded out. If it's an old original radiator the tubes may have separated from the fins. If that's the case, you might want to consider buying a new radiator or getting the old one re-cored.
Radiator problems are no fun. BTDT.
Keith
Keith....Thanks for your comments. It's a flat tube,12 year old replacement radiator with fins intact. I'm just wondering if these brass radiators can be rodded....It's not completely stopped up in that the car can be driven as is but it gets close to boiling hot if driven hard or with the wind which lessens the air flow.
I think the most important thing on the expensive radiator is the botem can be opened up easly so work from there. Rather than hammering a rod through and risk damage could a small speedometer or other small enclosed cable be used?? Bud.Jerry,Was your 14 ever at the Sloan in Flint?? Bud.
Jerry,Type in CLR on keyword search to find one suggestion. It has worked for me a couple of times. Good Luck. John
Find a good radiator shop and see if they can boil it out. See what will happen to the finish of the brass before you proceed.
Thanks guys for all your comments. I'm running on short time as the Kanab Tour is almost here. Think I'll try the CLR solution first. If that dosen't do it, after the tour I'll trip to the radiator shop and give that a go. Jerry......
Jerry, a good radiator shop can check the flow, it could be that you have a problem other than the radiator. 12 years is not long to be having problems. KB
I too wonder at the diagnosis of radiator being plugged. Not saying it is not possible but just not too likely unless something got put into the radiator other than water/antifreeze mix. There are other things that can make a T overheat.
Jerry Dvis:
I wonder if someone put Barrs Leak in your radiator. That is the worst thing you can do to a radiator, it will settle in the bottom tank and block your radiator almost every time. Take your bottom hose off and see if you can see what looks like coffee grounds in the bottom outlet
Jerry, I would try to get it fixed before the Kanab tour, you will encounter some pretty good climbs on two days of the tour. Driving up to Cedar Breaks National Monument will take you above 10,000 Ft and the drive to the Grand Canyon also has some good climbs. Thinking about it there is also a good climb on the return from Bryce and Zion. I don't think you want to have a questionable radiator for any of the tour. Just my opinion.
I agree with Mike whole heartedly about the roads encountered on the Kanab Tour. We went on that tour in '09 and are going on it again this year. Going north from Kanab is a long uphill climb and there are other good hills on the tour also. Besides that, it will probably be warm, maybe even hot. I recommend getting your radiator fixed before going to Kanab.
Keith
Jerry;
Is this tour going to or through Green River?
After it is cleaned out or you buy a new one buy this. I use one and it really works! www.ganofilters.com
Hey Gary, where do you have yours installed? It looks really cool but at the moment I can't think of a good place to install it.
To me it seems like it really should go between the block and upper part of the radiator, since most of the junk in your coolant system comes from the block itself. However, if you do that, it's basically upside down and will drop whatever junk it collects back down the neck into the block. And that's IF you figure out a way to get it in-between the head and upper radiator.
Gary
Fascinating idea! Couldn't find the price on site. Do you remember what you paid?
Can you post a pic of your installation?
I am really interested as I've just ordered a new radiator!
I will have to post a picture. The company was started by his father. His son runs it now. When I got the one they said would fit, it did not. So I went to his fathers house and this was 20 something years ago and he made one that would. Every so often I clean it out and there is a few rust particles in it. It is shoved in the water outlet tube by the head and radiator.