newby post fyi radiator recore cost

[ncbird]

First let me say thanks for all the info I have gleaned off the site and from the talent here. I am restoring my late fathers 60 convertible that has been in the family since 65. I have read with interest the different approaches to the love of the square bird and mine will not be a concours car but rather what I would describe as an "expensive driver" LOL. The body work is all done as well as paint and we are now reinstalling parts. I am going with new replacement wherever possible and that brings me to the radiator. I have seen posts on here about cost and will share my recent recore. I decided to recore since I couldnt find a replacement and we have built the engine up some plus adding A/C. A recore here (NC coast) was either 499.00 for a stock recore or 650.00 for a HP recore. The tank would not take a 4 row (non A/C car) so we went with a 3 row with 5/8ths tubes and additional fins. Our expectation is about a 60-70 % increase in capacity. We used a US made copper core and it came out great but the cost of copper is through the roof. I have learned a lot about sourcing parts and rebuilds and am willing to share for those who may care. fyi... thanks Grant

[byersmtrco]

Wow !!! Sounds expensive. I had a 4 row built a few yrs ago.
It cost me $250.00
Granted the guy who owns San Jose Radiator is a long time buddy AND a good wholesale acct of mine. He prob saved me about 100 bucks.

I did notice it put the radiator (slightly) closer to the fan, and it's about an inch and a half wider than stock.
It helps though.

[ncbird]

difference in radiators

Has there been a discussion of different stock radiators. Mine was a non air 352...did a 430 have a larger radiator? or a 352 with air have larger tanks? I was told the tanks were the limiting factor in my recore taking a 3 row vs a 4 row. Grant

[uhcrandy]

I have been looking at universal replacement radiators. There are ford radiators at summit and jegs wth the right general size. Has anyone any experiance with these?