Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

As noted in other posts, my car has been running hot on the highway and anytime the a/c is on, which means I have had very few cool moments.

Friday the radiator split open, so today I took the radiator to Rex, our local antique/classic radiator shop.

To make a long story short, someone had recored my radiator with the cheapest possible solution. Recoring it will, in the estimate of the experts, provide 30-40% more cooling capacity.

The only drawback is--as always--cost, at an estimated 500-600 bucks for the "new" radiator. No installation.....

With luck I will have it back Friday and will report further at a suitable time.

Yea but its worth it when you go back and see that old core. It seems like just about everything on a pack is $500.00 bucks..

I paid $680 for mine back in 2008. That included $70 labor to take it out and put it back in, so $575 for the re-core itself. The notes I took at the time say: "4 core, lo-flow tubes, 3/8" on center, 5 rows". It works perfect most of the time, regular driving, but it will not idle for very long without heating up. It comes right back down to normal when you get moving. Outside temp. is also a big factor

I'll be excited to have the car running as it should, finally....

Would like to get my hands around the throat of the cheapskate who got the previous "fix"...

Don't begrudge the shop their due; they are responsible and careful with craft.

Just wish money grew on trees!!

Got it!!!! "Very Special" tree seeds for sale here ......

$710 today.

Perhaps mine is gold plated since it will go in a senior car?

Uff da!

Duane stuck it back in last night!~

Ran for half an hour to burp out any air; never got anything near too hot.

To lunch now (20 miles on I-94) then will hopefully know all I need to. Film at five.....

Drove 20 miles to lunch, then 40 to my daughter's place and another 25 for roundabout home....

75 degrees high; lovely sunny day. Ran air for about half the trip with no problems Simply runs way cooler.

Had the electric fan on for about five minutes once when stuck in the crowd waiting for a wreck to be cleared---but no actual distress....

I think we've got it!