When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Yesterday I removed my 1969 Oldsmobile 442 convertible's radiator to have a small leak repaired. The radiator shop informed me they use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean the radiators. Has anyone had their radiator cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner? Were you pleased with the results?
This is my radiator. 1969 Oldsmobile 442 convertible radiator before repair.
Let us know the price. I'm considering having the OE radiator in my 71 98 record. I was going to put it in the truck this morning but the transmission cooler lines were still attached. DOH!
A recore ain't cheap. Years ago, I had the radiator in my 54 recored from a 2 core to a 3 care for $600. I was trying to get the car to cool down after I installed the AC. It didn't help at all. I think in that case the radiator could not move enough air over the core. I installed an aluminum radiator and a shroud and problem solved for a lot less money. Unless it is a show car or very original, I would go with an aluminum radiator. But then, that is just me. Your car, your money.
Let us know the price. I'm considering having the OE radiator in my 71 98 record. I was going to put it in the truck this morning but the transmission cooler lines were still attached. DOH!
A recore ain't cheap. Years ago, I had the radiator in my 54 recored from a 2 core to a 3 care for $600. I was trying to get the car to cool down after I installed the AC. It didn't help at all. I think in that case the radiator could not move enough air over the core. I installed an aluminum radiator and a shroud and problem solved for a lot less money. Unless it is a show car or very original, I would go with an aluminum radiator. But then, that is just me. Your car, your money.
I am afraid to see the cost of the radiator if it needs a new core. It will also take up to three weeks for the new core to arrive according to the radiator shop owner since it has to be ordered.
The only time my 442 ever got hot was the one time the upper radiator hose clamp was loose and the car lost most of its coolant. The original radiator is a three core and I have the original shroud and factory A/C.
I ultra sonic clean vinyl audio records, and my dad would ultra sonic dental work and tools. I suppose that could do it, though I always thought they were boiled out.
Before a re-core confirm that it is the original/correct radiator for the car otherwise it may not be worth the expen$e.
Good luck!!!
^^^THIS^^^
Especially if you're doing a concours restoration. Come to think of it, the radiator in my 71 98 could just be a brass/copper parts store one from the 80s. I might just go with an aftermarket aluminum one. We'll see...
Let us know the price. I'm considering having the OE radiator in my 71 98 record. I was going to put it in the truck this morning but the transmission cooler lines were still attached. DOH!
Today I paid the radiator shop $385 and the core should arrive at the shop next Wednesday. I hope to have the radiator installed a week from today.
At a minimum it should have Harrison stamped in the tank with the cap??? and a metal tag attached to it with two letters on the tag.
Others will chime in about which letters as I dont know which. You mentioned it is a '69 442. Does it have factory A/C? Auto or manual transmission?
I have seen the Harrison stamped into the tank. I remember seeing it in the past when changing the coolant. My 1969 442 convertible has factory A/C and it is an automatic transmission with 3.23 gears.
I'll share my experience with Ultrasonic washers. I worked for a leading brake maufacturer in the 80's and 90's. When we began developing the early ABS systems we would "sell" the idea to AMC first. They were our guinea pigs. We were developing the manufacturing process and recognized the need to thoroughly clean the ABS manifold which was machined from a block of aluminum. We bought a six figure Ultrasonic washer to to the job. Numerous trials were unsuccessful because after the cleaning process we would send the samples to the lab to be flushed and checked to see what residual contaminants didn't come out in the cleaning process. Trial after trial failed ! Now what ? Someone got the bright idea to take a couple of the machined manifolds to our breakroom and stick them into the Whirlpool dishwasher. They came out perfect! Multiple trials were run and the dishwasher never failed. We ended up buying 15 or 20 new Whirlpool dishwashers and we were off and running ! To this day no one remembers who authorized the Ultrasonic washer expenditure.
I'll share my experience with Ultrasonic washers. I worked for a leading brake maufacturer in the 80's and 90's. When we began developing the early ABS systems we would "sell" the idea to AMC first. They were our guinea pigs. We were developing the manufacturing process and recognized the need to thoroughly clean the ABS manifold which was machined from a block of aluminum. We bought a six figure Ultrasonic washer to to the job. Numerous trials were unsuccessful because after the cleaning process we would send the samples to the lab to be flushed and checked to see what residual contaminants didn't come out in the cleaning process. Trial after trial failed ! Now what ? Someone got the bright idea to take a couple of the machined manifolds to our breakroom and stick them into the Whirlpool dishwasher. They came out perfect! Multiple trials were run and the dishwasher never failed. We ended up buying 15 or 20 new Whirlpool dishwashers and we were off and running ! To this day no one remembers who authorized the Ultrasonic washer expenditure.
Thanks for sharing. Nice to know a simple dishwasher would do the job!
I had my rad re core d was very expensive . In my area its difficult to find a shop that will work on a rad at all , Rad repair shops are shutting down , so you are lucky to have a rad shop that will recore . Interesting a local shop to you would even offer to try to clean the rad . Shop in my area will only recore , no cleaning . My end tanks would not fit a 3 row core. But shop said a big tube 2 core would cool as well as a 3 core . In hind sight i should have looked for end tanks that would fit a 3 or 4 core . We need to collect end tanks , for future projects . Another mistake that went wrong for me is i should have brought the upper or lower or maybe both rad mounts , as when they put the end tanks on the new core , the rad ended up the wrong length , would not fit the rad support mount . Try to look inside the rad fill , do the tubes look open or plugged , when the shop takes the end tanks off ask to look at the old core , you maybe surprised how badly the lower tubes are plugged . Every year the summers keep getting hotter , need a good rad .
I had my rad re core d was very expensive . In my area its difficult to find a shop that will work on a rad at all , Rad repair shops are shutting down , so you are lucky to have a rad shop that will recore . Interesting a local shop to you would even offer to try to clean the rad . Shop in my area will only recore , no cleaning . My end tanks would not fit a 3 row core. But shop said a big tube 2 core would cool as well as a 3 core . In hind sight i should have looked for end tanks that would fit a 3 or 4 core . We need to collect end tanks , for future projects . Another mistake that went wrong for me is i should have brought the upper or lower or maybe both rad mounts , as when they put the end tanks on the new core , the rad ended up the wrong length , would not fit the rad support mount . Try to look inside the rad fill , do the tubes look open or plugged , when the shop takes the end tanks off ask to look at the old core , you maybe surprised how badly the lower tubes are plugged . Every year the summers keep getting hotter , need a good rad .
That is a good idea. I will call the radiator shop Monday morning and ask them to save the old core so I may inspect it. My radiator should be finished Wednesday or Thursday. I am ready to get my Olds running again!!
