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Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2021 2:46 pm
by KWTownsend
On the radiator on my 1915, the top tank has come loose from the side. It is at a radiator shop now, scheduled as a "winter project." I noticed that Brassworks has as an option on new radiators of an external reinforcing brace presumably to stave off the malady.
I have seen other radiators with construction like this, but don't know if it was "factory" or repaired at a later date.
- radiator tank to side bracket.jpg (21.19 KiB) Viewed 2137 times
I have sent an e-mail to Brassworks, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any availability of these?
-Keith
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2021 4:48 pm
by Allan
I believe such additions were aftermarket repairs. The side panels often cracked at the bend where the side panel went in under the top header plate. They were riveted at this point by the factory. Those patches were a good repair which did not involve pulling the radiator apart to restore it to factory specifications.
On my chocolate van, the patches I fitted I made from pieces cut from the sides of damaged late brass radiator shell. Whilst the ones shown above will give a large footprint for the solder, they are a bit over the top size wise. Half their height will suffice. You can make them as decorative as you like, peaked like these or just plain straight sided.
Allan from down under.
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2021 5:26 pm
by speedytinc
Allan wrote: ↑Sun Dec 12, 2021 4:48 pm
I believe such additions were aftermarket repairs. The side panels often cracked at the bend where the side panel went in under the top header plate. They were riveted at this point by the factory. Those patches were a good repair which did not involve pulling the radiator apart to restore it to factory specifications.
On my chocolate van, the patches I fitted I made from pieces cut from the sides of damaged late brass radiator shell. Whilst the ones shown above will give a large footprint for the solder, they are a bit over the top size wise. Half their height will suffice. You can make them as decorative as you like, peaked like these or just plain straight sided.
Allan from down under.
This is a common fix for a brassworks radiator. Not as well built as ford.
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2021 7:57 pm
by RajoRacer
I'm going to be ordering a new '13 - '14 Brassworks after Christmas for my friend's 1913 Touring and was curious about that "option" - perhaps it's $'s well spent ?
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2021 11:52 am
by KWTownsend
Steve-
Extra $25 to the price tag. Might be worth while if the car is driven in rough terrain.
Are these available in any of the catalogs?
-Keith
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2021 12:41 pm
by Steve Jelf
I had cracks at the same bend on both sides of my 1915 radiator. Apparently that's not uncommon. I bought some brass online, soldered the cracks, and soldered my home-made braces over the corners. That was four years and several thousand miles ago, and so far so good.
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2021 2:16 pm
by Harry Lillo
Keith,
Please let us know if Brassworks will sell these brackets seperately.
I have experienced this mode of failure twice on my 13 speedster, including
once at the 2008 Centenial. I now have a two pound electric soldering iron in my
trailer's tool box while touring.
Thanks, Harry
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2021 5:29 pm
by Allan
I believe the Brassworks radiators are only soldered at the top of the sides where they return under the header plate. The solder joint lets go. Even original radiators had problems at that point. The rivets held the side plate in place, but the plate itself used to part company at the bend. I have seen numerous original radiators with the same repair/reinforcements. The same repair works for both problems.
Allan from down under.
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:28 am
by Original Smith
I wish the Brassworks would pay attention to the original details, and make their radiators exactly like Ford did.
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:48 am
by Harry Lillo
Mine is an original re-cored radiator. It has the made in Canada badge on the back of the tank.
It suffers from the same problem.
Harry
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 12:24 pm
by Steve Jelf
I now have a two pound electric soldering iron in my
trailer's tool box while touring.
I've never had an electric soldering iron or gun that didn't sooner or later fail to produce enough heat. I now use a butane torch. In winter it does double duty, melting butter for my breakfast. 
https://www.harborfreight.com/butane-mi ... 63170.html[/size]
Re: Top tank to side bracket for brass radiator
Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2021 1:43 pm
by KWTownsend
I just got off the phone with Brassworks and they will have a pair in the mail to me this afternoon. $39 + shipping.
: ^ )