Pickles_99

66 Coupe 289 with original brass radiator, which is pretty beat up and leaking. Is it worth paying to have it re-cored or am I better off getting a new aluminum one? This is not going to be a show car. My plan is to keep car as original as possible, but also a reliable weekend/fun driver.

Starfury

Depends on how much the recore costs you. Unfortunately, that's usually a rather expensive venture nowadays. The last one I quoted for a customer (I work at an auto parts store) was something like $350, which is enough to get you into a decent aluminum radiator.

The problem with modern brass/copper radiators is that there are a lot of cheap ones floating around. The cheaper models don't use enough sealant on the tank seams and tend to leak after a year or so. A good radiator shop that recores your original will probably do a much better job, but obviously will charge you for it.

Pickles_99

Thanks. I'm going to put in a modern radiator and see what type of results I get. I'll hang onto the original one as a backup, should the new one fail.

DeWitts Radiator

If you send me the original one, I will make an all aluminum Direct Fit in trade. Interested? you can contact me at tom@dewitts.com

Starfury

That's a rockin' deal if you have an actual FoMoCo radiator. Wish mine was original...

Pickles_99

Tom - I plan on pulling it out this weekend. Will take some pics and email them to you. I'm almost positive it's the original, but won't know until I get it out for further inspection. If it is, will definitey take you up on your offer!

Glen

Pickles_99

How can you identify an original radiator? The one I just pulled has a tag on it, drivers side, on the core. It's a series of numbers, but no Ford markings and doesn't look like the aftermarket tags Mustangs Unlimited sells.