Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Feb, 1942 - GPW1 thru end of first contract, April, 1942 - GPW15000 NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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kmccarthy16
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Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by kmccarthy16 » Sun May 22, 2022 10:16 am

Hi,

My 1942 GPW radiator is leaking at the neck and probably the core needs to be tested. I do not want to take it to any radiator shop. Any suggestions where I can ship it to? I live in central Oregon.

Thanks for any advice.

Kevin
1942 Ford GPW
DOD 3-19-42
SN 8053


Adam
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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by Adam » Mon May 23, 2022 6:00 pm

No replies yet? is it really a ford gpw radiator?

might have to do some internet searching for antique rad repair.

Find something local, rads are big, and heavy, and with plywood in front and in back of the core even heavier.

Adam

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kmccarthy16
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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by kmccarthy16 » Fri Jun 03, 2022 7:02 am

It is a GPW radiator.

Thank you for replying.
1942 Ford GPW
DOD 3-19-42
SN 8053

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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by parker007 » Fri Jun 03, 2022 2:20 pm

real radiator shops are getting hard to find, there is one in Medford OR i cant remember the name. just do a search and then call them. ask them if the have a lye soaking vat, if they do they still fixing the old way. be carful because many shops just throw in the scrap and when you come back you have a new china made radiator waiting for you.

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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by Adam » Fri Jun 03, 2022 7:18 pm

I should of asked is it a gpw core also, that looks to be in good shape? What does the frame and shroud look like, got any pics.

Adam

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kmccarthy16
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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by kmccarthy16 » Wed Jun 08, 2022 12:01 pm

I'll upload pictures when I can get to the jeep.
1942 Ford GPW
DOD 3-19-42
SN 8053

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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by OldGPW » Thu Jun 09, 2022 8:29 am

Be sure to find a place that won't touch it without asking you how you want to proceed, or at the very least will listen to how you want it done. Unfortunately there is 'fix it fast' and 'fix it right', and most places today don't have the interest in anything beyond 'fix it fast'.

The only concern I would have is that right now it's got a leaking neck (solder seam broke? Sometimes a bad hose or loose clap will drip around the inlet/outlet elbows and resemble a leak, but by neck I'm guessing we're talking about the top of the tank with the cap), the core probably has hidden issues. Sometimes cleaning the core results in a radiator thats got so many holes it must be recored. Sometimes shops have people who are too aggressive at cleaning and handling these old brass radiators, so best to find a shop that's known for good work on antique auto/tractor radiators. There was a member in Illinois who was having GPW style cores done, but I think he stopped because it was getting harder and harder to get a shop to do it.

Good luck, original GPW radiators aren't something to entrust to just any mechanic.
Old GPW.

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kmccarthy16
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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by kmccarthy16 » Fri Jun 24, 2022 4:04 pm

Finally, I found time to take pictures of my radiator.
Attachments
Rad 4.jpg
Rad 3.jpg
Rad 2.jpg
Rad 1.jpg
1942 Ford GPW
DOD 3-19-42
SN 8053

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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by Adam » Sat Jun 25, 2022 6:21 pm

Rear of core looks correct, cant tell if front is. Also cant see if sides of front are 45'ed.

If only the top is leaking get it fixed, I cant tell if core is original, obviously top is. Looks more like an mb core at this moment.

Adam

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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by kmccarthy16 » Sun Jun 26, 2022 6:12 am

Thanks, Adam.
1942 Ford GPW
DOD 3-19-42
SN 8053

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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by gpwmke » Fri Jul 08, 2022 7:33 am

Did you ever find a repair shop?

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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by YLG80 » Sat Jul 23, 2022 4:30 am

You should have a look at that key thread from Lew Ladwig.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=139530

I did the same, but unfortunately the core was too far and I had to replace it.
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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by sam C. » Mon Sep 12, 2022 8:23 am

I'm near Cincinnati, Ohio. There's an old-time radiator shop here that can do the work. I have a GPW radiator that will need to be completely redone. Eventually I'll bite the bullet and get the work done by them.
RJR Radiator
(513) 563-2230.
The owner is an older guy whose been doing the work a long time. I think his son is there too. Being a GPW radiator, you can ask for the features needed and they'd probably accommodate you, I think. It's worth asking.

Sam

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Rebel Walker
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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by Rebel Walker » Thu Feb 23, 2023 5:00 pm

Don't wait too long.
Some of these old time businesses are there today & unexpectedly gone tomorrow.
We've had two old timers close their doors locally since COVID.
Real old tome experienced tradesman are hard to come by.

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Mitch Olson
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Re: Radiator Needs to Be Restored

Post by Mitch Olson » Sat Feb 25, 2023 6:01 am

Call Ron at RFJP.....they will know who in Oregon does radiators.


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