Farm Equipment - WD radiator-worth rebuilding or replace?

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WD radiator-worth rebuilding or replace?

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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
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URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=154481
Printed Date: 22 May 2025 at 2:58am
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Topic: WD radiator-worth rebuilding or replace?

Posted By: JayD-17(NY)
Subject: WD radiator-worth rebuilding or replace?
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2018 at 2:18pm

Found the radiator on my WD to be leaking last week. I had it rebuilt about 15 years ago. Probably only put 50 hrs. on the tractor since; but, I guess that doesn't count for much when things still age just sitting there - especially when they are filled with a corrosive fluid!

Anyway, It's the original radiator, and am wondering if it is worth trying to rebuild again. Radiator repair seems to be a dying art form in my area, as most the shops that were around me 15 years ago have since retired or gone under. My closest best bet now is about 40 minutes from me.

I have no idea what they'd charge now and was wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark figure on what a fair price of a rebuild would be???

If I replace, can anyone recommend a good source/brand to go with? Some of the new ones out there don't seem as heavy duty as the originals. Closest I found so far online are eBay vendors offering ones with: : "a cast iron bottom tank spout like original."

Replies:

Posted By: Ken in Texas
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2018 at 3:24pm

Put a wanted add in the classified section. I sold 2 B/C radiators to people wanting a good sound used radiator.

Recoring cost is out of sight. My 83 Cherokee after cleaning needed a recore. $500 to go back like original. $201 for a turnkey new HD aluminum that runs so cool the heater may not work this winter.

Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2018 at 3:26pm

Make sure you get one with the original spout. I bought an A&I radiator and it just has a spot sticking out the neck to put a hose on so I had to notch the sheet metal so it'd fit. I'd have sent it back, but I'd already owned for 2 years in the box.

Posted By: ac hunter
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2018 at 3:51pm

A shop should be able to give you a pretty close estimate of what a recore would cost.

X2 what Allis Dave said. I got a replacement radiator several years ago for a WD-45 and had an absolutely terrible time getting the thing installed. Bolt holes in the bottom weren't spaced correctly and it didn't fit in the grill as it should have. The WD I recently did I got a recore and everything fit like new. Cost a little more than a new radiator but fit back correctly. We are lucky to have a good radiator shop available.

Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2018 at 8:33pm

I had the rad on my 175 recored 3 years ago for $500. FYI, antifreeze is not corrosive. The rad on my grandfather's 58 D14 is still the original and has never been rebuilt or has leaked. I plan on getting it flushed out this winter though.

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'49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '61 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080

Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2018 at 10:16pm

A good used one might be $150 and up. Not sure on cost of a new replacement. Fixing what you have might be a good option but may still cost you $150 ish. You might call Sandy Lake they had some used ones in stock.

Regards,

Chris

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D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet.

Posted By: Dave H
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2018 at 8:15am

If you go used, i have found out it is kind of a crap shoot on whether it flows good or not.

I finally caved and had the D 15 II recored. Yep just shy of 500.

Posted By: garden_guy
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2018 at 7:45pm

Has anybody bought one of the new WD radiators that has the cast iron spout already installed? How are they dimensionally? They ain't cheap, but never seen one in person...

Posted By: HudCo
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2018 at 10:15pm

going to preach again , only use distilled water with your antifreeze and you will not have corrosion problems in your rad . or blocks also that will eliminate most of your heater core problems