Doh! Looks like I need a new Radiator.

[Bret]

Expensive bonehead move transpired this afternoon in the Duff Garage.

I was jacking up the front end of my 78B to assess the second stage of the suspension project slated for this weekend – got rushed and ignored my number ONE rule –

“Work Smarter, Not Quicker!”.

Anyway, I was in a hurry because I wanted to get this done before my wife got home and catches wind of my weekend plans. So I didn’t bother to double check an make sure that jack was securely under the crossmember before I started to raise the car, and about two or three inches off the floor the jack slipped forward and CRUSHED the bottom of my radiator and bowing it up in the center. I swear it looks like an old squeeze box or an accordion.

Luckily, it didn’t rupture. I even drove it around for a few minutes to bring it up to normal running temperature and it looks like I lucked out as I only a minor leak. But the radiator is a lost cause and will need to be replaced.

I don’t know if I should laugh or cry right now.

 

[Guest]

happens to the best of us. I'd check into getting it recored or buy a good used one from Tony before I bought one from the usual suspects

 

[Kim de B]

Ditto what Chuck said. Look to have it recored.
And count yourself LUCKY that all you did was wreck the radiator. There's a lot worse damage you could have done . . . especially to yourself!

Your workshop rule is worth living by, that's for sure!

 

[Bret]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Kim de B:
[QB] <<SNIP>>
There's a lot worse damage you could have done . . . especially to yourself!
<<SNIP>>QB]<hr></blockquote>

Thanks Kim,

Truer words have never been spoken. Because had I not have gotten my new floor jack for Christmas, I would have more than likely had my face right up next to the bumper when she dropped.

I guess I should thank my wife again for that floor jack. I’ll check with Tony about a radiator before he takes off for Alaska.

 

[tony barnhill]

Did you damage the core or just the bottom tank?

 

[Bret]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by tony barnhill:
Did you damage the core or just the bottom tank?<hr></blockquote>

Sadly, the core is bowed upward & seriously bent.

 

[tony barnhill]

Run it by your local rad shop & get their opinion before you jump too far

 

[aeronca65t]

*I* know how it feels....I did something quite similar a while back:

https://www.britishcarforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=11&t=000014

 

[Bruce74B]

Originally posted by Bret:
[QB]Expensive bonehead move transpired this afternoon in the Duff Garage.

...

Anyway, I was in a hurry because I wanted to get this done before my wife got home and catches wind of my weekend plans. So I didn’t bother to double check an make sure that jack was securely under the crossmember before I started to raise the car, and about two or three inches off the floor the jack slipped forward and CRUSHED the bottom of my radiator and bowing it up in the center. I swear it looks like an old squeeze box or an accordion.

Yea, that's it...it was your wife's fault!

Bruce (ducking)