Cord radiator

FYI, I recently had several Cord radiators rebuilt (new cores, old tank) by Steve at Tough Guys in Lakeville, IN (just south of South Bend). He charged $900 each, and they turned out great. This is a small family owned business that I can highly recommend.

I finalized on the type of Cord radiator today. I have two radiators that Detroit Radiator is making a new tube type cores with dimpled tubes (slows flow 6%) and straight fins (10 fins per inch). They will have 5 rows of tubes. The straight fins allow better airflow, but slightly lessen the heat transfer. They are disassembling my units, cleaning and straightening the tanks, blasting the frames, reassembling, pressure testing (5 #'s) and painting. $850 00 each. After I have a unit installed, I will report on the results. Detroit Radiator is creating a file for any future orders (cores only @$550.00).

Thanks for the video, Pat.
CORDially
Mike

My suggestion is to run filters on both returns to the radiator. But most important is to run true steam distilled water with your choice of anti frees .Run the filters as a cleanup for a while till they are clean.Then remove them for possible judging.


Gary Parsons

I am interested in how all of this works out. I have a radiator that needs to be rebuilt. This is for the 1939 Cord Berline.

Pat I had a Tube & Fin core installed. I like the idea that you can clean it out

Core tubes come in different thickness and smooth or corrugated. Thicker tubes are strong but don't transfer heat as well. Smooth tubes flow faster, corrugated slow the flow to allow more heat transfer. Fins can be straight or corrugated. Smooth allows more air flow. Tube type radiators have less chance of plugging up and can be easily cleaned. What does everyone think would be the best? You can visit their website for more details on their products. If all works well, they will create a file for access for future buyers. They are transforming their company to a specialty- custom radiators. They have already focused on antique tractor radiators.

I dropped off two radiators yesterday at Detroit Radiator. They are reviewing with their team on what type of core they will used. I had a very interesting tour by Roger who has been building radiators for 30 years. Here is a link to a video on their manufacturing.

Copper core sounds a little low, but the other "quote" sounds like they think they have a rich Cord owner they are dealing with. I now Kathy wouldn't approve that!!
CORDially Miike

The company the museum used is Ace Radiator. That is where we left it for possible repair. They said it needed recored and wanted $3,300.00 for a modern core, $4,600.00 for what they said is a correct core. I am taking this and another Cord radiator to Detroit Radiator who is a radiator manufactured. They quoted a new modern copper core for $400.00. If I bring it to them, they will measure it, and for additional cost disassemble my old tanks and frames and reinstall on new core. Their normal turnaround time on custom cores is 24 hours. Check out their website and manufacturing videos. Lee Foldenauer and George Arakalien have used Detroit Radiator. I will report on their work after I take them in and get them back.

For Josh’s car, the Museum used a radiator shop in Ft. Wayne. I think the Museum was happy with the result. I would contact Sam Grate at the Museum.

I have a radiator that is in need of rebuilding and a new core. Who would you recommend to do this work?

What about new core using old tanks?
CORDially Mike

I am in need of a good used radiator, one that doesn't leak. My son, Joe's silver Westchester radiator is shot.