Featured Technical Radiator core shortening- Can it be done?

Great! Did you make a video? I'd like to see all the details of the process

 

Amazing work, you proved all the naysayers including me wrong!
Better be careful, you have become known now for this skill. People will flock from all around for you to do custom radiators for them!

 

If this whole hot rod thing doesn't work out for you.....you've got a pretty bright future as a surgeon. Just incredible work man!

 

I mean guys he put an airplane engine in a vw and made it looks like it was supposed to be there. Was there ever any doubt?

 

EXTREMELY impressive job there!

 

This is it right here. Once you find that suite in your head that says "... and somebody did it already so, so can I." you've pretty much cut a perfect light in a drag race. Awesome, sometimes it just takes having the will to dive in. Hell of a dive...

 

Two thumbs up!

 

Thanks guys, really do appreciate the kind words, it could have been a much different story but I wasn’t taking No for an answer!
Update: Side straps cut and welded, lower strap has fitted and soldered in. Time for a little bath and a small amount of pressure to the tank to see if there are any leaks.
Testing, paint and fitment tomorrow.

 

Looks bang on. Good job man

 

Very impressive radiator mod!

 

Looks awesome! Great work!

 

The car shots look like someone is scanning!
Again, outstanding work, above the average bear.

 

Did I miss it? What did you use for gas, torch, flux and solder?
Great job. I’ve always wanted to try that, with radiator shops a thing of the past it seems like a worthwhile skill.

 

Think he's going to make a video on it Bob.
https://bennettscustomsco.com.au/blogs/news

 

So today I managed to get the radiator pressure tested, I 3D printed a couple plugs and taped then into the in/outlets. (These didn’t hold incredibly well) but received 15 pounds of pressure which was enough. I had one small pin hole leak I could hear prior to submerging the trans which was an easy fix. Small dob of flux and solder and she was sealed.
I put the bottom into a plastic container full of water pressurized it and wala. NO LEAKS!

If we rewind to when we installed the header plate I used soapy water and pressurized air to find two small holes between the tube and plate. Those fixed before putting the tank on. So a total of 3 pin holes all sealed and rectified before submerging. This I was humbled by and definitely smiled not seeing any bubbles.

Mocked up to the car it fits great and the height is spot on.

Next will be too spot weld the bottom tabs. Clean and paint radiator then fit.

 

Amazing work, thank you for do***enting and sharing!

I've built aluminum radiators, never copper/br***. One thing I did for pressure checking was to make some short tubes that have a bead rolled on them, and a welded cap. They attach to the radiator with a short piece of hose and hose clamps...which will hold the same pressure as they will in the car without blowing off.

 

People trying to discourage a craftsman like Jordan from shortening a radiator he already owns clearly hadn't seen what he's able to accomplish.

@jordabennett The radiator turned out great! Thank you for do***enting and sharing this stuff with us on here and on YouTube, and showing what can be accomplished. You're a great example of what can be done with creativity, attention to detail, some natural (and learned) ability, and determination. We need more hot rodders like you.

 

@05snopro440
There where severall of us that know it can be done,
I like to know what type of soldering
Technique used ,
Micro jewelry Oxygen /ACETYLENE set,
Soldering iron ,
Or
Small tip Hairson / Victor set.
For testing for leaks we used rubber plumbing caps & clamp , radiator supplier actually made rubber caps pricey compared to going to a plumbing store. A decent worm clamp will hold easy 80 psi.
How many hrs spent to do Job ?
Customer or for personal project ?
Any Materials outside of solder needed to be purchased?

 

Again, Jordan isn't your average HAMBer. Most would still be contemplating it. He's all done.

 

Yes I understand , I have done radiator work 7 years old to about 17 ish ,
I learn almost something new every day
I just like to know how each tubs where tested before tank installed and tested , & how ,the method he use to solder each tube to the tank plate,
From my understanding he did not use a bath of molting solder so he did each tube individually what style tip size and was it the jewelry micro torches.
Its not like there a 1 inch space between each tub .

 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1355350515918994/?fs=e&fs=e

Here’s some action video.

 

a second wow!......

 

No F -B

 

I don't think it's trying to discourage him, it's that it's an expensive part that can most likely be resold for close to the same price as the one he needs, there's a real risk to fail and then to cough up the money to buy another one.
Right now I'm modifying a valve cover that sells new for $1200 used one are usually cheap because they are cracked and difficult to repair.
It's just that I'm willing to take the chance to risk destroying my good valve cover eventhough I can't afford a new one.
I'm pretty sure Jordan knows what he can or can't accomplish and he felt confident enough to try it on an expensive part and he nailed it.

Jordan why did you choose cutting the straps rather than moving the lower brackets up and shortening the excess material? Time I suppose?

 

Video short on YouTube. Impressive stuff!

https://youtube.com/shorts/EGgO7QMOIes?si=3W3Om6vr7X-j1TKk

Edit there's a lot more information in the full video, as you'd expect!

Dis***embly utilised a cutting torch (no triggered O2!!!), rosebud and a Mapp gas torch.

Do watch the vid if you can. Informative, enjoyable and superbly done. Nice pace to it too with some cool tunes.

Chris

 

Every one of his videos is like a master cl*** in how to fabricate things.

 

I just saw the video on Facebook. Great work!

 

Defiantly not a task for those faint of heart, I've heated a trashed mid 60's Chevelle upper & lower tank for removal but never the slighted thought of putting one together, well done!

 

Exactly. His videos are a pleasure to watch.