From: Greg Stevens [email protected]
Date: 13 Jan 2001
Time: 15:17:01
Remote Name: 203.1.75.52
As a Radiator Repairer, and a Austin 7 owner, I tend to do a lot of "vintage" Radiator work. This is for two reasons, the first being that old car nuts prefer someone who is enthusiastic about their vehicles.
Secondly, I have gone out to achieve this work as the average Radiator guy is too busy repairing Fords and more common cars. They are not interested in fabricating specials along with their everyday work.
I made a decision to go this way as I feel I achieve some pleasure in my day, both from doing the difficult Radiator jobs, and my other speciality, Fuel Tank Repairs.
The coolant question comes up often! I am interested in Castrol coolant causing a problem in your Water Manifold? Where are you in the world, what is the quality of your water like? I would advise you, in fact anyone, don't use soluble oil in your Radiator!
I find there are heaps of experts on this question. They are not around when I have to pull the tanks of a core only to try and remove the grease that the oil leaves behind! The vintage core can not be cleaned, (like a modern core) the water follows the shape of the honeycomb. or "z" pattern of the core. In a modern core the tubes are straight, I can clean these easily!
I replace vintage cores, when needed, with a honeycomb core made with a straight water tube. This is a honeycomb tube with two rows of water tubes through it. It can be cleaned later if it becomes blocked with Soluble Oil!
Regards Greg