Figure 3-28. Frame for straightening sprung core.

NOTE

If the tubes are too severely damaged to be

reopened by rodding, install a new core section.

b. Recoring. When the entire radiator core has

been damaged beyond repair, but the tanks are

undamaged, substituting a new core will make the

repaired assembly as serviceable as new. An impact at

the front fender or radiator assembly may force the

radiator core back against the revolving fan blades.

Where the fan blades only polish the edges of the core air

fins, it is only necessary to relieve the brightness with a

little paint. Where the fins have been flattened to close up

the air cells, the fins can be straightened. Where the fan

cut is so deep that it has gouged out the solder or cut the

water tubes, it is necessary to replace the damaged .core

3-40.

Mounting Assembly

a. General. Radiator supports, whether connected

directly to the radiator or to the shell, should be able to

carry it properly.

b. Repair

(1) If a soldered shell has worked loose, resolder it

Figure 3-28. Frame for straightening sprung core.

(2) If the shell is bolted to core channels, solder them

rigidly to tanks and straighten or brace them so that they

(8) After a core has been straightened, the air fins

will not become loosened and allow the radiator to be worn

must also be straightened and all leaks repaired.

or shaken to pieces.

(9) An impact at the side of a radiator may damage

(3) Reinforce the top support rod connection to

only the edge of the core. In a tubular core, when the

withstand the thrust or pull at this point.

water tubes are only partially closed but not torn, reopen

them by plunging a blunt rod down the entire length of the

tube.

Section V. REPAIR OF ALUMINUM RADIATORS

3-41.

General

a. Aluminum radiators are Flo-Tested in the usual

manner (para 3-18).

Aluminum weighs less than half as much as copper or

b. Clean aluminum radiators by the flush gun

brass and is a good heat conductor.

One of the

method or vat cleaned in a 10% solution of trisodium

disadvantages is the difficulty of repair by welding. Epoxy

phosphate and water at 140 F.

repairs are usually satisfactory but aluminum welding may

be more reliable. Because pure aluminum has a very

c. After Flo-Testing and cleaning, Flo-Test a second

small range between welding and melting temperatures,

time to determine the effectiveness of cleaning d. Dry

aluminum radiator repair requires a welding proficiency

inside of radiator thoroughly by circulation of warm air

that is difficult to develop.

inside radiator (para 3-10).

3-42.

Leak Testing

3-43.

Repair Procedure

CAUTION

Standard brass-copper repair procedures should

When leak testing aluminum radiators, be sure

not be used on aluminum radiators. Some of

that the test tank water is clean. It should not

these standard procedures are damaging to

contain any trace of flux, acid or caustic solutions.

aluminum radiators.

Water in a test tank has been used for brass or

copper radiators should not be used.

3-20