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I'm restoring a 1940 160 Packard. Local radiator shop says it doesn't hold pressure. But it's not supposed to hold much so try it. I'd rather replace it with a new one. Cgj.com list one for a 1937 at 895 dollars. There are model a replacements for 350 v8s that run about 200. Has anyone found a replacement at a reasonable price that fits a1940?

No cheap way out. Budget around a grand to have it done professionally.

If your upper and lower tanks are okay, re-coring with a modern day core can be done for around $600. Re the pressure, I was surprised to learn these rads operate at zero pressure, but they do. I scoured the internet when I did mine and a grand for a replacement is definitely the right number.

The local shop gave me a price of 2,500 to recore the radiator for my 1940 160 super eight. So I mailed it to cgj.com or Brice radiator. He made a pattern and copied it. Looks great, not perfectly original and no thermostat for the grill shudders. But all new and done for 895. So he's made the pattern.

There must be something I'm missing here...?? Sounds like you had a whole new rad - top and bottom tanks AND core fabricated for $895, which sounds very cheap. By the same token, $2500 to recore your old one sounds very expensive, and what will you do now re your rad shutters? Just wire them open?? And what about those suppliers online that were offering Packard replica rads for around a grand? They would at least have the shutter thermostat housing built into them to keep your grill opening and closing??? At $895, you're pretty close anyway??

http://www.thebrassworks.net/shop/Restored-&-Fabricated-Radiators-Packard-Radiators/c10_53/p257/1940-Packard-Radiator/product_info.html?osCsid=97048947abd39ac98623b83738c4c7ea

BILLS for Packard 1940 160

My radiator was totally shot. Bill shows specs of the radiator core installed. They repaired the tanks. It was all a mess.

Works great now including 2 trips to CA in summer and fall.

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Exactly Joe - further to my point... and then you've got the 'real deal'.