Brass radiator core?

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
Mountainrider
Posts: 178
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:23 pm
First Name: Neil
Last Name: Haywood
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 roadster
Location: Stockbridge, MA

Brass radiator core?

Post by Mountainrider » Wed May 01, 2024 5:59 am

Looking for information on where I could purchase a core for my 15 radiator. No radiator shops anywhere near me willing to record mine. Thinking about giving it a go myself.

User avatar

John.Zibell
Posts: 361
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:09 am
First Name: John
Last Name: Zibell
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Tudor
Location: Huntsville, AL

Re: Brass radiator core?

Post by John.Zibell » Wed May 01, 2024 8:24 am

I just went to Brassworks site. They list making cores. They may be able to re-core your radiator, or at least supply a core.
1926 Tudor


robert daniello
Posts: 105
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:54 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: D
Location: Northampton, MA

Re: Brass radiator core?

Post by robert daniello » Wed May 01, 2024 12:21 pm

Neil, if you want to give it a go, I recommend buying a poor condition radiator to fix, unless you current one is hopelessly bad, ie has a fan sticking through it.

You could try Bob's radiator in Agawam, I know they will touch old radiators, not sure about re-coring or if paying for a professional re-core wouldn't end up being as much or more than a new radiator.


Topic author
Mountainrider
Posts: 178
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:23 pm
First Name: Neil
Last Name: Haywood
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 roadster
Location: Stockbridge, MA

Re: Brass radiator core?

Post by Mountainrider » Thu May 02, 2024 6:09 am

I have one with great condition brass but the core is beyond repair. The one I running now works but needs small repairs and the brass is not in great condition.

User avatar

Humblej
Posts: 1957
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:23 pm
First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Humble
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, 1924 runabout
Location: Charlevoix, Mi
Board Member Since: 2006

Re: Brass radiator core?

Post by Humblej » Thu May 02, 2024 6:50 am

Soldering is one of those things that when everything goes right, the metal is clean, dry, fitting well, the heat is just right, the planets are in alignment and everything goes well...is a beautiful and rewarding experience. But when it does not go well it is maddening. One theory for the mass closing of mental institutions is due to the change of radiator construction to aluminum and plastic in the 1990's.

There is an older posting a few years ago where someone with no prior radiator experience made significant radiator repairs successfully. It can be done. I can weld, solder, form Sheetmetal, etc., but I would never take on a radiator repair and certainly not a re-core. I take my radiators to a radiator shop where they have the tools, materials, and experience, they know what they are doing and are well worth the cost.

Here is a link. https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=37564

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 7237
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Brass radiator core?

Post by Steve Jelf » Thu May 02, 2024 11:19 am

I take my radiators to a radiator shop where they have the tools, materials, and experience, they know what they are doing and are well worth the cost.

Such a shop will have somebody old enough that he learned radiator work before the Age of Plastic. A few years ago I paid special attention to radiators on Model T Fords at OCF. All were "new" except mine and one other. Mine was a recore and I expect the other one was too. If you have a brass era radiator that looks OK but isn't up to the job anymore, I would urge you to seriously consider a recore. It would be more original (yes, they are made differently) and likely to be less expensive. My recore cost several Benjamins less than a new radiator.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 6260
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedsters (1919 w 1926 upgrades), 1926 (Ricardo Head)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Brass radiator core?

Post by TRDxB2 » Thu May 02, 2024 12:59 pm

Here is the Master, retired, building a new one lets you know what skills & tools needed
part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Z58zC-l1Q
part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aehHwPlaxhU
Attachments
Berg's rad video.png
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger


TXGOAT2
Posts: 7391
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
First Name: Pat
Last Name: McNallen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
Location: Graham, Texas
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: Brass radiator core?

Post by TXGOAT2 » Thu May 02, 2024 1:05 pm

"Red The Radiator Man" used to clean his dentures in his hot tank. He lived to be very old. How sane he was after a lifetime of radiator work in his own shop I don't know....

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic