folks,

just pinpointed the sudden cause of my overheating - a small (but sure to grow) crack in the top right plastic side tank of my stock aluminium/plastic radiator. Under pressure it opens a little and coolant sprays out.

Is there a successful way to repair a crack in a plastic radiator tank (epoxy/melt with hot solder iron/whatever ?????) or can a radiator shop repair it or am I llloking at a new tank/radiator ? I'll be ringing a radiator shop later today when they open to see what they can do, just wnated to know if anyone has ever done it themselves - a lot easier than pulling the whole tank out.

ciao



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gruNT
near stock 86 LG4 WS6 T/A
Brisbane Australia
http://web.one.net.au/~grunt

 

The plastic tanks are designed as throw-away units. They dont repair them, just replace them.

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1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.25 @ 107.18 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

You will thank me.. http://wwwradiators.com is the best site..one of the best companies I've ever bought something from..seriously. 134 bucks for a new, better, skinnier radiator. EASY to install..flushing the system is annoying and messy but thats the only part that isn't a breeze.

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-Red '88 IROC 5 Speed 305 TPI w/3.08
-Dual Friction Centerforce Clutch
-Accel 300+ Racing Ignition
-Accel 300+ Pro Sleeve Plug Wires
-Accel U-Groove Plugs
-Flowmaster Force II 3 Chamber Cat Back Exhaust
-Hypertech Chip
-Hypertech Airfoil
-Removed, Then Re-installed (out of fear) MAF Screens
-Gutted Air Box
-Best E/T 14.68, 60 ft. 2.17, 1/8th mile 9.4
-Best MPH 93.9

 

yeah, i tried to fix mine when it cracked and it just cracked again. i bought one from autozone (i hate 'em but it was cheap) for about $125 manufactured by GDI

clem

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The world is full of stupid people...and I am no exception.

'83 Z28 5 speed (regrettably with T-tops)
'83 Z28 No T-tops (regrettably automatic)

 

see, the reason I'd like to repair first then buy a new one later is they're Au$620 over here - I need to save up - just spent $750 on the air con last week ((

ciao



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gruNT
near stock 86 LG4 WS6 T/A
Brisbane Australia
http://web.one.net.au/~grunt

 

That is quite steep, but there really is no alternative. The plastic that they are made from is a fiber or glass filled thermoplastic, which is very difficult to repair because of the fill, and the high melt temperature of the thermoplastic. I have repaired the polyethylene coolant resevoirs before, but they are a lot easier to work with, because PE melts at a much lower temperature.

If you couldn't tell, I work with plastics for a living!

Good luck.

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Working on:
'84 Z28 LG4 305
Added dual elec fans.
145 MPH IROC Speedo
Building 430 HP 350
using primarily GMPP parts.
Block is in shop!

Awaiting results from all 8 ASE tests.

Starting to look like the Kicker poster child!

 

I tried replacing a side tank once... followed all the directions to a T, and used a new gasket- the thing leaked at the gasket. A radiator shop should be able to do it for you.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

i know exactally whatcha mean.. happened to me before, i tried to patch the crack with some ghetto j-b weld.. that worked for about a week.. decided to take it to a rad shop.. did some pricing, for like 40 bux more i went to advance and got a new rad..