V6 Radiators

I know a long time reputable shop in the Springs if you have to do that, but I find it hard to believe that there's not a good shop somewhere in a city the size of the Denver metro area...
My personal opinion is that I'd rather have a well repaired stock radiator than an aftermarket replacement of unknown quality and dubious fitment.

 

Old time radiator shops are hard to find. In another 10 years or so there probably won't be any left.

 

Ask the guy in Grand Junction if you ship it to him, and he repairs it, will he ship it back.

 

I had the same issue in NW Arkansas, no rad shops anymore. Took it to Houston with me while visiting my father and had Errol at Advance Radiator look at it. Really great guy, dropped what he was doing to pressure and flow test it while I watched. He ended up removing the tank, cleaning the core and re-soldering the whole thing for $120. I think I gave him $150 because his customer service was second to none. He did say my original copper/brass rad was far better than the aluminum ones...he said those can't be repaired or cleaned; basically disposable. If you have to ship it, I would suggest contacting Errol.

 

I took my M38A1 gas tank into a local radiator shop several years ago right after buying it. Lots of pinholes on the underside and the A1 tanks are expensive to buy and difficult to source, so repair was the best option. Their fix is still going strong.

Anyhow, what was most noticeable about the shop was the number of big rig radiators in there being worked on. I commented about it to the owner and he said it was their bread and butter. With the disposable aluminum radiators dominating in the replacement realm for general use, only the radiators used in large trucks or other heavy equipment was routinely being repaired.

That's a long way of suggesting you look for a shop that does that kind of specialized work. The local shop had no problem with taking care of my A1 radiator when I asked him if he'd work on it should it need repair or re-coring. There must be something like that in the Denver area. You might try asking at the shops that work on OTR trucks and other heavy duty rigs.

Maybe radiator shops will go the way of the old "speed" shops of the 50s and 60s. As a kid, my first job was as a driver for an old school radiator shop in San Diego (Joe's Radiator Shop! I worked for Bud, Joe's nephew) Hot-rodded all around town in a '65 El Camino with a 283 and powerglide. Fortunately didn't spend much time in the shop as the fumes, acids and heavy metals are hard on the body. The EPA? What's that?

Sounds like you'd be happier getting the original repaired. A re-core is pricey, but it was pricey back in '73 as well. A rod and repair is very reasonable.

 

I agree that it probably should have been left with the gentleman in Grand Junction. He accessed the problem and you were comfortable with him. You didn't say if you were charged for this. If it were me, I would make arrangements to have him fix the radiator. At the very least, call him to discuss your options.

 

Manley Radiator on Wasatch St.
Let me know if I can help out in any way.

Edit: I'm going to ask the guys at our Commerce City store if they have a good Denver area radiator shop they use...

 

BTW, a lot of heavy duty truck radiators are going to plastic/aluminum these days too.
(I'm a truck parts salesman)

 

I think the Champion CC7071 3 row rated to 500hp is a direct bolt in.
Except everyone is out of stock almost all the time.
I have seen them for about $ 210 from couple different places.

 

I'm fortunate to have a shop in town that still does "old school" repair. He soldered my radiator while I waited. Yes, lots of BIG radiators in his shop; heavy equipment and trucks.

 

Had my radiator recored, was $475.00 out the door. Could had bought a aluminum one but wanted to stay original. Was looking at a new one from Walck's if mine could not be fixed

 

James, try this-
Serck Services/Denver Radiator
5501 Pearl St
303-297-0355

 

From what I know of the radiator world, this is the reality if you want to stay original- it's expensive. But if it's any consolation, it was like that in the early 70s as well (relatively speaking, probably even more expensive back then). Quality and originality costs $. I think it's worth it.

 

I had my 2A radiator records at a local shop and I think it was about $400 but he also relocated the lower hose to the right side for the V6.