Radiator insignia caused leak

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Mark Osterman
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 runabout
Location: Rochester, NY
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Radiator insignia caused leak

Post by Mark Osterman » Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:31 pm

I have had a very spiffy vintage Rochester, NY auto club insignia on the lower front of my Berg radiator since I installed it in 2017. The other day I noticed that there was a coolant leak from around where I had placed the insignia. The insignia (like a Ford insignia) was affixed with four small brass wires that were pushed though the fins and simply bent at right angles ... not twisted. I was so surprised because I had it on my other T for 14 years with no problem.

Well, I removed it and then tried the remedies for leaks .. first pepper, which kinda worked .. and then a small container of a commercial radiator leak stopper. It just shaken up and poured into the radiator. It worked great. But I am still surprised the leak even happened. Has anyone else had this happen?


Scott_Conger
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Re: Radiator insignia caused leak

Post by Scott_Conger » Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:37 pm

Boy, Mark...that sure proves the axiom "if something CAN go wrong, it WILL"

Bummer.
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured

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Steve Jelf
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Re: Radiator insignia caused leak

Post by Steve Jelf » Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:50 pm

I didn't get leaks, but I did get a dangling Ford logo when all but one of the brass wires broke. Currently folks just have to read the name on the radiator tank or the hubcaps to know what kind of car it is. :)
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

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Oldav8tor
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Re: Radiator insignia caused leak

Post by Oldav8tor » Fri Aug 23, 2019 5:04 pm

To attach my "Ford" insignia I took two of the long skinny bolts (machine screws) that Langs sells, wired the "Ford" to the heads, covered them with thin shrink tubing and slid them between the fins of my new Bergs radiator. I used neoprene washers front and back and a dime sized flat washer on the back. I did not tighten the nuts, simply turned in the nut with my fingers and locked it with a second nut. The only thing touching my radiator is rubber or plastic - will it eventually damage the radiator? I hope not but won't know for a few years. :D
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor

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