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17Again Nov 22nd, 01, 2:08 AM Found a green trail going down the side of my radiator, wiped dry and traced it to about 3 inches below outlet to upper hose. The crack is only about 1/8 long. My question is can I repair it with 40% silver solder and will it hold? Radiator will be replaced eventually, just can't do it now. ------------------ 70 Malibu 307 Semper Fi Support our troops Dean Nov 22nd, 01, 6:59 AM No no, not silver solder, it requires way too much heat but it can be done with regular acid core soft solder or 50/50 solid wire solder and acid flux The trick is trying to get it soldered without melting out good solder joints near by In fact it's near impossible to do, it takes a very very small flame and a lot of patients I do it but I have been soft soldering almost daily for 36 years and I have a hard time doing it If you haven't had a lot of experience soft soldering, I would recomend pulling the radiator and taking it to a radiator shop or using JB Weld on it ------------------ Dean Call Team Gold member #3 A.C.E.S. # 00235 Mid America Chevelle Club (http://macc.chevelles.net) #001 chevelles.net (http://chevelles.net) Love is the only thing you get more of by giving it away Sid Coleman Nov 22nd, 01, 8:56 AM I'd recommend taking it to a radiator shop and having them do it. If you've sprung one leak, you may have others just waiting to appear. I HATE getting stranded due to a water leak! ------------------ 71 Ragtop MCC #347, TC (Gold) #174 N3JHV@bellatlantic.net 17Again Nov 22nd, 01, 10:03 AM Thanks for the quick replies Dean and Sid. I do a lot of 15% silver brazing but not too much soldering. A guy I work with mentioned that idea, so I thought I would throw it out here to get other opinions. Dean what is JB Weld, and how does it work? May just have to bite the bullet for new rad. anyway. ------------------ 70 Malibu 307 Semper Fi Support our troops JWagner Nov 22nd, 01, 2:00 PM The JB weld is a 2 part epoxy that comes in midget toothpaste tubes and is found in auto parts stores. It is pretty good stuff. An alternate method woould be to get a high output soldering iron (pretty rare these days) and solder the crack. That would keep the heat more local. 17Again Nov 22nd, 01, 9:34 PM Thanks JW, I'll pick up some JB WELD in the morning and give it a try. GO WILDCATS!!! Hope they have a good B-Ball season this year. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif ------------------ 70 Malibu 307 Semper Fi Support our troops Sid Coleman Nov 23rd, 01, 9:23 AM Main reason I mentioned the shop was so they could pressure test it after it's been fixed. Good luck-I've found JB weld is better than McGuyver with a swiss army knife http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif ------------------ 71 Ragtop MCC #347, TC (Gold) #174 N3JHV@bellatlantic.net 17Again Nov 24th, 01, 4:14 PM http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif Thanks for all the help guys Bought some JB Weld yesterday and applied, Leak checked today and all is well for now. Nice to be able to buy some time for only $5 ------------------ 70 Malibu 307 Semper Fi Support our troops | ||