The Radiator's ALL CRACKED up... I Guess We Should FIX it! ~ Part 3 ~ 1950's Caterpillar TraxCavator

The Art of Rebuilding a Radiator: A Hands-On Guide

As I began to disassemble the radiator, I realized that it was more complicated than I had anticipated. The holes were not aligned properly, and the gasket material needed to be carefully placed to ensure a tight seal. I decided to start with the holes, making sure to align them correctly to avoid any mistakes. "These guys didn't tell me," I said to myself, "these things should have been mentioned when they happen." Nevertheless, I continued with the task at hand, determined to get it right.

I started by finding the outside edge of the gasket and using a round ball peen hammer to tap it down gently. This process was essential in ensuring that the gasket was properly seated and would not move around while the radiator was in use. As I worked my way around the edges, I used a slightly larger ball peen hammer to push away any excess material. "I like to take the slightly bigger ball-peen hammer and work my way around the outside edge first," I explained. This technique allowed me to create a smooth surface for the gasket to adhere to.

Next, I turned my attention to the inside of the radiator tank, where I used a razor X-acto knife to cut the gasket material to shape. The corners were not sharp, so I opted to use a flat edge of the knife to make the cuts. "I usually run my finger along it to try and break off any little fuzzies, little chunks that are still attached," I said. This step was crucial in ensuring a smooth seal between the gasket and the radiator.

With the gasket material cut to shape, I moved on to the bolt holes, which were an essential part of the repair process. I removed the old bolts and replaced them with new ones, making sure to secure them properly. "I've decided to use permatex aviation formula gasket on the seals for the radiator," I said. This type of sealant was perfect for rough surfaces like this one.

As I reassembled the radiator, I applied a thin even coat of Permatex to both surfaces, making sure they were properly aligned before applying them together. The radiator was now ready to be put back into service, but I knew that there might still be some issues. "These bolts that we're holding the radiator together are in really rough shape," I said. "Some of the threads are just totally stripped, some of them they're just missing a bunch." My plan was to replace them with brand new bolts and lock washers.

The final stages of the repair involved adding new coolant hoses to the system. One hose was particularly tricky to install, but eventually, it was secured properly. With the radiator reassembled and the new hoses in place, I filled the tank with water to test its integrity. To my relief, there were no leaks, although I had overfilled the tank slightly.

As I inspected the radiator more closely, I noticed a hydraulic leak coming from one of the fuel joints on the hydraulic pump. "I need to figure out what seal that is to replace it," I said. If anyone knew what type of seal was used in this application, please let me know in the comments or send me an email.

The final test was to check the radiator's performance and ensure that it was cooling properly. To my satisfaction, it was doing its job perfectly, staying cold as can be. Despite some challenges along the way, I was proud of what I had accomplished. "There'll be a lot more to come with Old Red pretty soon," I said, hinting at future projects in the making.