WOW! What a response! I usually get a handful of answers to my posts, but
this one wins the prize! Thanks (somewhat belated, but I mean well) to one
and all! Summary below, but first...does anyone know where Rimmer gets their
radiators? Far East, UK, US? Has anyone purchased theirs and were you
satisfied? (I assume their long neck for an early '4 will fit my '3A?) Price
is good (about $260 including 25 pound core charge) and shipping is free
during VTR-SE.
To summarize...
Many felt that any local radiator shop could do the job. So far, I'm
striking out. The first shop I called said they couldn't (wouldn't?) do it,
the second (the shop suggested by the Maine manufacturer Roger Colson
mentioned) wants $900-$1000!!!!!!
Other replies -
...Victoria British sells them. I knew that - so does Moss - but I've never
heard anything good about them (including a couple of respondents to this
post) so that's not an option.
...re-core will not appear 'as original'. The difference is slight, but it's
there. The least of my concerns.
...discuss painting with the radiator shop. Normally, they slop on a coat
of cheap gloss black. The second least :^)
...get the highest cooling capacity core that they have. "My radiator guy
said that they'd just use a heavy duty truck core of my dimensions."
...last time that I had a radiator done it was about $240 with tax. This was
a double core job and I had them weld in a boss for a coolant temperature
sensor at the same time.
...Look locally for a radiator business that does commercial stuff. Air
conditioners, etc. the big roof top stuff. Not a local garage that farms it
out.
...had mine re-cored with a 5 row core without crankhole for $160 locally.
And my personal favorite...
...one of the workers was walking by, saw my old radiator and asked who
owned the tractor? Hmmm...."Hello, Massey-Ferguson? I was wondering if you
carry replacement radiators for a 1959 tractor." (Say, Dave M, do we have
these in stock?)
So...thanks to everyone who took the time to write. Hope this summary is
useful to the next guy who finds a puddle under his car! Maybe if I keep at
this, I'll have my car back on the road by Spring!!
Michael Ferguson
1959 TR3A TS53990L
|