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By B-rad - 7 days ago
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The radiator in question is out of the car, been dry probably 50 years. Is there a way to clean it out and test it? Was thinking anout filling it up with clr and water and swish it around for a while and then drain it. But as far as testing it for leaks I have no clue how.
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By paul2748 - 7 days ago
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Is there a car radiator shop near you. They can clean it and pressure test it. Or Check you tube for something on pressure testing a radiator.
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By miker - 7 days ago
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Brad, given your location and the fact you’ve got factory air if at all possible I’d run that past a radiators shop for a full test and maybe a rodding out. You’re going to need all cooling you can get. Those early Lincoln’s were good that way new.
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By 55blacktie - 7 days ago
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I agree with Paul & Miker; the same applies to the heater core. My original heater core looked great, but I submerged it in a bucket of water, put my thumb over one tube while blowing into the other to check for bubbles. I wasn't confident with the results, so I took it to a local radiator shop to be tested; it leaked; the shop owner (Randy) showed me damage that I had overlooked. I asked about re-coring it, but Randy said that I could probably buy a new one for less than the cost of re-coring it. He was right. Better still, he didn't charge for the test ($20) because he couldn't make change. I will return to the shop to have mounting brackets soldered to my new radiator (I like the way that they do business).
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By B-rad - 6 days ago
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Not finding a radiator shop near me. If I decide to get a new one, does anyone know where to look? I did google search for one but didnt find any. Doesnt need to be oem,
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By 55blacktie - 6 days ago
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Someone on Facebook suggested Johnson's Radiator in Alabama.
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By KULTULZ - 6 days ago
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I would think you would want to save the radiator.
See if this helps finding a competent shop in your area - https://www.bbb.org/us/az/cochise/category/radiator-repair
If you go CAPA or a low quality off-shore radiator (if available), it may not work out well. A custom ALUM RAD is going to be $$$.
At the worst, they should be able to re-core keeping the original tanks and bracing. No having to fit/modify to the core support.
POSSIBLY - https://www.thebrassworks.net/products/lincoln-radiators
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By B-rad - 5 days ago
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I would like to keep the original radiator if its salvagable. I was just curious what was available in the event that it was shot. Still looking for a shop. No radiator only shop around here so I guess I'll have to find a garage that does radiators too or travel an hour or so to tucson
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By 55blacktie - 5 days ago
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If you take your radiator to a garage, not a radiator shop, they'll send it out to a radiator shop. You'll probably end up paying more than if you were to take it to a radiator shop yourself.
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By B-rad - 5 days ago
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I'll bet. Question...
Tnis radiator doesn't have an overflow container. What happens when the engine shuts off and antifreeze is hot?
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By KULTULZ - 5 days ago
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It will have an overflow, but not a coolant recovery bottle. Is that what you are saying?
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By B-rad - 5 days ago
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I don't understand how it can overflow without a coolant recovery bottle? Theres nothing but the cap.
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By KULTULZ - 4 days ago
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The top tank fill neck should have a tube running from it down the side of the radiator (pre-coolant recovery w/ outside container). When coolant expands (overfilled and hot), the cap releases the pressure and the coolant is released through that tube. When the internal pressure subsides to cap rated pressure the cap will close gain.
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By miker - 4 days ago
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Brad, I don’t know if you’re a member on the HAMB, but I know there’s a member or 2 over there that’s from or close to Sierra Vista. Be worth a post with that in the title for a radiator shop. If you’re not a member, I’ll ask for you.
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By B-rad - 4 days ago
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Yeah Mike, I am a member. I'll check in with them.
So what Kultulz is saying, would I be able to install a overflow reservoir to keep from losing antifreeze?
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By paul2748 - 4 days ago
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Are you overfilling the radiator? The level should be just a little over the core.
Check with Speedeway, Jegs and Summit - they have coolant overflow tanks. Usually not a big deal to install one.. I like this type, use it it two of my cars. Other styles available - google coolant overflow tanks
B-rad (10/3/2025)
Yeah Mike, I am a member. I'll check in with them. So what Kultulz is saying, would I be able to install a overflow reservoir to keep from losing antifreeze?
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By B-rad - 3 days ago
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No. My radiator isn't even installed yet, just wondering if a reservoir would be needed. My buddy has a 50 scruby with a newer engine in it and he changed his overglow out for a bigger one. I wondered why a 54 doesn't have one and if losing antifreeze is something to worry about.
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By Deyomatic - 3 days ago
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Mooneyes has some, too, but they call them "water recovery tanks."
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By paul2748 - 3 days ago
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I've had two different scenerios re coolant. My 48 (modified 302) was losing coolant so I, used the one I pictured and solved the problem. My 54 (modified 312) was not losing any but decided to add the recovery tank based on the 48 situation as a precaution. Advice - get the car together and running to see how everything works Then go to the recovery tank if there is a problem.
B-rad (10/4/2025)
No. My radiator isn't even installed yet, just wondering if a reservoir would be needed. My buddy has a 50 scruby with a newer engine in it and he changed his overglow out for a bigger one. I wondered why a 54 doesn't have one and if losing antifreeze is something to worry about.
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By Deyomatic - 2 days ago
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Paul has great advice. My move is to acquire parts thinking I'll need them and then never use them. Thing is, I never learn.
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By KULTULZ - 2 days ago
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"I wondered why a 54 doesn't have one and if losing antifreeze is something to worry about."
There wasn't a need then unlike now. A modern car can overheat and cook the engine if the cooling system is not contained and is allowed to ingest outside air.
The style you have will bleed itself to proper coolant level over a few cycles if the system is tight and correct pressure cap). The nice thing about a COOLANT RECOVERY SYSTEM is it will bleed out most trapped air in the system resulting in having no air pockets trapped.
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