Radiator Re-core PLEASE HELP

[Scott Santora]

I could use some confirmation. I sent out my radiator for my 63 De Ville to get re-cored. Several weeks later, when I went to pick it up from the service vendor, I noticed a large amount of green oxidation throughout the core of the radiator. I told the vendor that there was no way that this was a new radiator core, that brass just can't and doesn't oxidize that much in only a few weeks. He told me with a straight face that the core was "absolutely brand new" and that the process used to assemble the core to the top and bottom channels of the core causes the oxidation. If anyone has had a radiator re-cored, please tell me if I'm crazy or not! I have never seen this in all my years!

[Dennis P. DiBari]

Hi Scott,

     I took a good look at your radiator pictures for your 63 Caddy that you posted.  Over the years, we sent myriad radiators out to be serviced at my dad's shop in Brooklyn, for all type of GM cars (1960s and 1970s).  This does not look like a new re-core for your radiator.  The radiators we sent out came back looking pristine and I never remember oxidation due to channel connections.  I don't like to assail the vendor, but this is not top quality for what you probably paid.  To me this is certainly not what I would expect.

Thank you for sending me some of your pictures of your restoration!

Dennis DiBari, Cottekill, NY

[Russ Austin]

It looks like the manufacturer skimped on the coating for the fins. 

[Scott Santora]

Russ, 

According to the vendor, he ordered the new core by size, then it gets shipped to his shop, unpainted. He takes the original tanks off the old core and then assembles the old tanks onto the new core and he then paints the whole radiator. I'm not sure what he did but I'm pretty sure that he did not install a new core.  

[Dennis P. DiBari]

Scott,

     It doesn't look like he did from the pictures you posted.

Dennis DiBari