Carrier Radiator Renewal

[Terence Mcgaughey]

What are the recomended procedures one should be aware of when taking a 60 year old rad ( Bren Gun Carrier )into a rad shop to be checked out for
restoration ? Pressure levels ?
Am asking as the first rad appeared ok but failed the pressure test the shop put on it after cleaning . ( Don't know the amount of pressure used )$800 CDN quoted for recore .
So before the second rad goes to the shop your
advice would be greatly appreciated . Thanks.

[chris vickery]

Several years ago I was restored a 12 cab Ford CMP which uses basically the same rad as the bren carrier. From the information I have gathered, all old rads go bad sooner or later (even NOS ones) as the materials are succeptable to oxidization over time. Rads which have been used and abused have remnants of debris, old coolant, acids etc. which lend to there eventual demise. I had my rad recored with larger tubes but less rows. As in your example if memory serves, the Ford rads are whats called a 4 1/2 core- 4 main rows and a half row at the front hence the tapered shape. The tube size is fairly small. My rebuild shop used a heavy duty 3 row with larger tubes and had to do some fancy fitting work to do the recore. I went through 3 rads to get enough usable pieces to build 1 rad. Upper tank here, lower there, you get the picture. Bottom line was $500 6 years ago and one frustrated craftsman. Actually he told me not to bring him another job like that for a long time! I suggest that it comes down to the use of your project, mine being a truck regularly driven which will make your final decision for you. I'm sure that while sounding expensive $800 is probably a pretty fair current price considering the amount of work involved. Hope this helps.

[Mike K]

hi Terence

I agree with Chris' comments on Ford SV V8 radiators . With most other old truck makes you can get away with a slightly shonky radiator , but with Side Valve Ford V8's you need a radiator in top condition . If the coolant level drops slightly , they will boil their little heads off .

The radiator in my 1940 C8 Chev is the factory original and it has held up quite well . I dont use the little truck that much and it runs well within the proper temp range . I will recore it when it drops its guts ...... I always put the anti rust green magic stuff in it to keep it happy .

Mike

[Terence Mcgaughey]

Thanks guys for the info on carrier rad .Appreciate hearing from someone whos been there and done that . Will take the second rad in to get it checked out and hope for the best .

[Bob Carriere]

Rads are definitely the weak spot in many restorations.....

With the collective knowledge/expertise fo the MLU and assuming that all CMP must have had some commonality in parts...... and that they were built using available civilian design parts at the time ...... is it possible to track the various applicable parts numbers for these rads and see what other truck models Chev and/or Ford rads would have fit in the CMP.....

For example the windshield frame for a Dodge power wagon 47 to 68 are all the same and windshield from earlier Dodge models back to 1940 or so are interchangeable...... so are the doors....sometimes doors ahve to be slightly modified but can be made to fit.....

CMP sheet metal is rather unique but a rad must be interchangeable..... and other USA Chev repro suppliers may have something that fits our little orphans...... it also would make for some interesting junk yard sorties.....

Comments.....

[Euan McDonald]

Hi Terence,
When restoring a C15A cmp I recored the rad with a vintage style core. the only thing to keep in mind is the older rad use a lot less presure than todays rads. I run a 8psi rad cap on the chev but I also run a overflow/recovery system, the differance being the cap runs 2 seals on a recovery system. The recore job cost AUS$350 some 15 years ago & has had one clean out last year before the trip to Corowa. Due to the size of the tanks on big rads if you run too higher pressure the tanks blow out.
Euan.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi guys

I probably have the latest price on radiator renewal as the one in our ambulance was US. New tropical core plus brass inlets and using our tanks for our Ford Blitz ambulance - $AUS1150. Am still recovering.

Bob

When sending your radiator in for repair request that the the top tank be removed and a cleaning rod be passed down all the tubes to wash out each pipe. Pipes on the outer core edge can be repaired by a good trades person. Just preasure testing will not tell you that you have a good radiator, you need to remove years of rust scaling to be effective. As a allternative try locating a Thames truck they have a radiator that fits the Blitz and has a extra tubes in the front row and are a very solid unit made into the 60's. Good Luck

[Terence Mcgaughey]

Update on second radiator after shop visit.
Thankfully this rad had only several small
cracks that could be repaired easily by the shop,
was cleaned out and now is ready for reinstallation. One step closer to bringing this
Carrier back to life Plus less expense !
Thanks for the info on the first posting from everyone .

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Terry

Sounds like you had a bit of good luck..... would really like to know what you finally had done and how much it costed in Canucks dollars. I fear the most for my C15 Rad.....

Thanks

[Terence Mcgaughey]

Hi Bob ,
As to the rad repair costs it was done w/o
charge as my buddy has an in with the shop .
Plus the gentleman who did it has an interest
in military vehicles & would like to see a carrier in operation .
The cost for repairing the first rad was an est
to send it to a shop in Upper Canada ie: Ont .

[Bob Carriere]

I am getting closer to removeing the nose peice on the truck.... I fear what I will find when I pull the radiator. I have search the web for replacement core and found a few US sites that are currently selling aftermarket rads for 1940 and up Chev vehicle.... for rodders obviously.... the interesting part is they list the available core dimensions...... I will give thema try orat least get a price quote.

Unfortunately I have yet to make friends with the local rad shop owner.....on the other hand the local tractor tire shop has been very accommodating.....

Hang in there.

[Nick Bullock]

Hi Fellas....

Interesting, though also worrying to see the price of this job.. I was wondering if any UK reader could recommend a radiator recore specialist.

My HUP is due a new core.. It is currently fitted with a radiator from an 11 or 12 cab vehicle with the extension on the inlet. Also it has a very large, 3" or so cast aluminium screw cap (that leaks all the time)...

All suggestions are welcome.

regards

Nick