Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Seriously feel like I'm taking up the top 1/2 of the Post War forum page right now!

The radiator in the 2255 needs to be re-cored. Just got the bad news from my local radiator shop. Seems the tanks and cradle are in great shape, but there's a leak from the tubes on the inner portion of the core that aren't that accessible.

Quoted me a price of $650 to fabricate a brand new core using original design/materials + my tanks w/cradle, repainted.

Is this high, good, or 'in the ballpark'?

I paid 600 or so for a 55 radiator recore about a year or so ago.

If that price of $650 is truly for the Custom 8 radiator which I believe is the largest radiator fitted to a postwar Packard, I'd say it's a very good price if the job is well-done. As of a few years ago we were paying similar prices here in NJ for the smaller 288/327 recores.

If it was for a modern car, it would be a lot more than that. It still costs less to keep a Packard running than this modern iron. Just bite the bullet and do it. You can't junk a $30,000 car for a $600 radiator! Enjoy your PACKARD!