21-03-2022, 07:41 PM
Hi
I have successfully done this repair on one side of a radiator. I made up a threaded metal "penny on a stick". I have plenty of soft soldering experience, but not the many years needed to attempt radiator work. Instead I attached the fixing to the radiator with JB-weld metal loaded epoxy. The penny part had a series of small "colander" holes added, to improve its grip on the epoxy. The tank was thoroughly wire brushed and cleaned, and a screwdriver used through the epoxy to scrape it whilst the epoxy was still fluid.
I believe that originally the studs were fixed using coil springs, washers and locknuts, which is why they are quite long. I retained this setup, but with nylocs. You only need enough spring tension to prevent the radiator jumping up on a bumpy road, i.e. not much. In this way any misalignment may be accommodated without undue strain. I added a thin soft rubber pad between tank and support bracket for good measure.
No problems after more than 10 years motoring.
I have successfully done this repair on one side of a radiator. I made up a threaded metal "penny on a stick". I have plenty of soft soldering experience, but not the many years needed to attempt radiator work. Instead I attached the fixing to the radiator with JB-weld metal loaded epoxy. The penny part had a series of small "colander" holes added, to improve its grip on the epoxy. The tank was thoroughly wire brushed and cleaned, and a screwdriver used through the epoxy to scrape it whilst the epoxy was still fluid.
I believe that originally the studs were fixed using coil springs, washers and locknuts, which is why they are quite long. I retained this setup, but with nylocs. You only need enough spring tension to prevent the radiator jumping up on a bumpy road, i.e. not much. In this way any misalignment may be accommodated without undue strain. I added a thin soft rubber pad between tank and support bracket for good measure.
No problems after more than 10 years motoring.