ConcoursMustang Forums

Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Misc Items => Topic started by: Ralf on May 08, 2019, 08:12:24 AM

Title: How to fix a radiator tag to a radiator?
Post by: Ralf on May 08, 2019, 08:12:24 AM
Hello,

How to fix a (thin alu) radiator tag to a (painted) radiator?

- welding?
- 2k Epoxy
- Loctite?
- ....

How was it done factory?

Thx Ralf
Title: Re: How to fix a radiator tag to a radiator?
Post by: ruppstang on May 08, 2019, 08:52:37 AM
Do you have a picture? I have not seen a original have the thin aluminum tag. 
Title: Re: How to fix a radiator tag to a radiator?
Post by: Ralf on May 08, 2019, 08:57:12 AM
Do you have a picture? I have not seen a original have the thin aluminum tag.

Pls see pic I found.

Title: Re: How to fix a radiator tag to a radiator?
Post by: 67350#1242 on May 08, 2019, 10:42:53 AM
The factory soldered these on before painting - don't think they were aluminum but steel or zinc plated steel.
Title: Re: How to fix a radiator tag to a radiator?
Post by: Ralf on May 08, 2019, 10:51:53 AM
The factory soldered these on before painting

Ok, but how? Which technology?
Title: Re: How to fix a radiator tag to a radiator?
Post by: 67gta289 on May 08, 2019, 12:00:45 PM
I would think that the originals were done with good old lead based solder.   Today you would use a non-lead based solder.  I think that silver solder would be overkill.  You’ll need to remove the paint from the area of contact, clean well, add flux, solder in place, then paint
Title: Re: How to fix a radiator tag to a radiator?
Post by: OldGuy on May 08, 2019, 12:07:28 PM
The technology is called "SOLDER". It is the same stuff that is used to affix the steel radiator strap to the brass radiator top tank.

If you want to affix the tag to the radiator strap on an assembled radiator, use something like JB Weld. Just remember that you'll have to clean ALL remnants of the adhesive that you use if you ever want to do it the correct way (SOLDER) in the future.

I hope that this helps.

Frank
Title: Re: How to fix a radiator tag to a radiator?
Post by: Bob Gaines on May 08, 2019, 12:56:31 PM
The technology is called "SOLDER". It is the same stuff that is used to affix the steel radiator strap to the brass radiator top tank.

If you want to affix the tag to the radiator strap on an assembled radiator, use something like JB Weld. Just remember that you'll have to clean ALL remnants of the adhesive that you use if you ever want to do it the correct way (SOLDER) in the future.

I hope that this helps.

Frank
JB weld adhesive will not give the same appearance as solder even after painting. All of the same preparation work to use any kind of adhesive is the same prep needed to solder . It is very easy to do and does not require the disassembly other then stripping the paint from the immediate area to be soldered. If the OP is unfamiliar with the term and or process he should do some research on line ,utube videos etc. for better understanding . It is relative easy to do yourself with just a little practice but any radiator shop can do it if you are not up to the task.
Title: Re: How to fix a radiator tag to a radiator?
Post by: 67350#1242 on May 08, 2019, 06:11:33 PM
Pretty easy to do with a propane torch and some plumber's solder.  Use some flux and tin both the back of the tag and the area to be mounted.  Concentrate the heat to only the area  so as not to melt the top seams.  Lay the tinned tag in place and just heat enough to get it to melt together.