WD radiator-worth rebuilding or replace?

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   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."

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JayD-17(NY) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: New York Points: 577	Post Options Post Reply Quote JayD-17(NY) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: WD radiator-worth rebuilding or replace? 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."

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Ken in Texas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Henderson, TX Points: 5919	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ken in Texas Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.

Allis dave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 10 May 2012 Location: Northern IN Points: 2990	Post Options Post Reply Quote Allis dave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.

ac hunter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 05 Jan 2011 Location: OHIO Points: 1041	Post Options Post Reply Quote ac hunter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.

DSeries4 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Points: 7451	Post Options Post Reply Quote DSeries4 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.
	'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

Sugarmaker Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Jul 2013 Location: Albion PA Points: 8436	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sugarmaker Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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
	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.

Dave H Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Central IL Points: 3563	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dave H Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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.

garden_guy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 05 Jul 2013 Location: Illinois Points: 1146	Post Options Post Reply Quote garden_guy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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...

HudCo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 29 Jan 2013 Location: Plymouth Utah Points: 3820	Post Options Post Reply Quote HudCo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply 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