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I just smashed the bottom of my radiator.

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RickB

RickB

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I went out to jack up the B and put jack stands under it in prep for removing the rotors from the front.
Even though I swear I looked at where the jack was on the cross member several times it still managed to slip off when I had it up there pretty high.
The jack stayed where it was but the car came down & the bottom of the radiator was caved by it.
I knew instantly there was something bad happening due to it bleeding out green all over the street.

So - to repair or replace?

:blush: :madder: :cryin: :pukeface:
 
jlaird

jlaird

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Depends which is cheeper of course.
 
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RickB

RickB

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It was such a good radiator too.
RIP little guy. :thirsty:
 
Steve_S

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I'm just glad you weren't hurt. People are killed all the time by cars falling from jacks. A quality floor jack with a large rubber pad is a really good investment to prevent this type of accident. Unfortunately we typically don't realize what a good investment it is until an incident like that costs us more than the jack!

If the damage is only to the lower tank, a radiator shop should have to trouble fixing it up. If the core is also smashed, it may be cheaper to replace the whole thing. Copper is really expensive these days.
 
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RickB

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Seems to be the lower tank only.
I wont know for sure until I get it out of the car.

Here are some close up pics:

radsmush4.jpg


radsmush3.jpg


radsmush2.jpg


radsmush1.jpg
 
jlaird

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Oh, that does not look too bad. Talk to a radiator shop.
 
vping

vping

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Nice drip caught in the act too! That looks like it could be heated and straightened out. In case of accident like these I have a few spares around for the 67 and the 74.
 
Tosh

Tosh

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Same thing happened to me with a '77 B about 20 years ago.

Radiator shop straightened the pan, re-cored then re-soldered everything back together. Essentially a rebuild.

Never had a problem with the unit.

Keep on.
 
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RickB

RickB

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Thanks guys.
I fought with the brakes all day, so maybe tomorrow I will remove the rad & see what can be done.
 
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RickB

RickB

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Steve,

I've got a really big 3 1/2 ton floor jack I use, it's low profile so I can get it under the B & the Midget too.
I always use stands - once I get the car up in the air.

The jack has about a 6 foot handle, so that's how far away from the car I am when I am jacking it up.

You don't have to have a car fall on you very many times to learn the lesson. Better safe than sorry.
 
vping

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Most of the time I use ramps if I am not working on the wheels. I place them in opposite directions so there is no chance of falling off.
 
tosoutherncars

tosoutherncars

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vping said:
Most of the time I use ramps if I am not working on the wheels. I place them in opposite directions so there is no chance of falling off.
Click to expand...

I tried that once, but I had a heck of a time trying to drive up them...

:laugh:
 
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