radiator brazing?

ronin-sj410 · Feb 23, 2012

I recently put a couple of holes in my radiator from the fan. Theres only a couple of holes to plug. My idea is to braze them closed from the outside using oaw. I would like to get a couple thoughts and ideas on this idea and if anyone has tried this before and what their results were. Thanks in advance.

crash2 · Feb 23, 2012

Is it brass/copper or alum?

WHITE TRASH1 · Feb 23, 2012

Copper is easy to deal with, aluminum I have no experience with. Copper I just pinch the opening closed wipe the area with acid flux and heat it up with a propane torch and dab some solder on it. Simple pimple.

ain'tstuckjustresting · Feb 23, 2012

I just did that with my copper radiator. I used solder and a propane torch. When doing the tubes it's really easy to get it too hot with O/A. I'll braze the tank but not the tubes.

dirtygoat · Feb 23, 2012

X2 on propane for the tubes...

ronin-sj410 · Feb 23, 2012

Yes it is on the tubes. Yes it is brass? Definately not aluminum. Its a factory toyota radiator. Thanks for the tip on NOT using o/a. So with the propane should i use ER brazing rod or the same stuff used on copper pipe?

340SHORTY · Feb 23, 2012

NO BRAZING thats to hot.. use SOLDER !!!

WHITE TRASH1 · Feb 23, 2012

Same type you'd use on copper pipe but much thinner. The thick pipe solder has too high of a melting point.

CHOP SHOP · Feb 23, 2012

NO brazing.

Solder only.

Better hope its an OEM toyota radiator.

If its a crappy replacement like a "Performance Radiator" brand then have fun watching all the solder fall out of it if ya get within a foot of it with a lighter.

Dubshot · Feb 23, 2012

Solder all the way fold the fins over and solder away. Brazing is way too much heat.. I've soldered a few radiators from cracks, holes, loose fittings everything..

ronin-sj410 · Feb 23, 2012

Cool thin gauge wire and propane heat, awesome, thanks for all the advice and saving me some cash.:beer::awesomework::beer:

pokey · Feb 23, 2012

ronin-sj410 said:
Cool thin gauge wire and propane heat, awesome, thanks for all the advice and saving me some cash.:beer::awesomework::beer:

dont forget to flux.

crapyota · Feb 24, 2012

take your time,and pay attention.. i just made a pin hole into a new filler neck on my radiator..

:redneck:

ronin-sj410 · Feb 26, 2012

HELL YEAH!!!....simple pimple. Just finished soldering. Leak test is showing positive signs, next up pressure test.:awesomework:

pokey · Feb 26, 2012

ronin-sj410 said:
HELL YEAH!!!....simple pimple. Just finished soldering. Leak test is showing positive signs, next up pressure test.:awesomework:

easy way to pressure test if the radiator is out. Take a bicycle inner tube and cut opposite the valve stem. Clamp the ends to intake and outlet and inflate to 15-29 pounds.