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Triumph TR3 - Radiator

I'm trying to bring another TR3A back to life. Most of the basics are done. My question is about radiators. I have 2 that came with all the other parts. The re-coring charge is US$300 at a local shop. Is this reasonable? Should I re-core or buy a new one? Any advice will be appreciated -- thanks
H Singh

I don't really know what's reasonable any more, haven't worked at a radiator shop for years. But it's probably the norm, and a recore is just as good or better than a new one in most cases.

Will they put a hole in the core for the handcrank? If this is important to you, it may cost you more, if they will even do it. The hole is not a great idea, cooling wise. Maybe you don't need a new core, I have never recored any of mine. Just clean and rod out the tubes if needed, resoldering any leaky tubes (running the headers completely). And of course, taking plenty of time on the seams of the tanks.

Which reminds me, I have to get the top tank of one of mine removed, cleaned and replaced.

I haven't heard great things about the repro radiators available. But I saw an aluminum one that looked nice for about $450, I think. Just depends on your budget. You could shop your radiator around to different shops, some guys are much more reasonable than others. Ask a mechanic or 2 in the area who the best/most reasonable radiator guy is.
Tom

Thanks Tom. Re-core it is. $300 is about the norm after I checked a few guys, at least in Delaware. I've been advised to forget about the crank hole to improve the cooling. I could solder and try to fix one of the radiators I have, but they are such a pain to remove once you get them in, that I'll just spend the money and get it done
H Singh

Yeah, I'm putting off the top seam leak in one of mine because it's a pain.
Tom

I had mine done not too long ago and asked them to pay attention to where the filler neck meets the header tank. He removed the filler neck, checked it out, and when re-installing, screwed the front end of it to the front side of the header (it extends into the header, where it is "perforated").
This way if someone carries it arond by the neck there is less chance for leaks.
I wouldn't have done it otherwise but since it was all apart it made sense to me.
Jim
J. S. Wallace

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2006 and 15/08/2006

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