Harrison radiator restoration - Page 2

**Lynn** · #11 10-09-2021, 03:30 AM

Definitely a dying art.

We have one guy left in the OKC metro who still runs the radiator shop his father started in the late 40s. One man operation. He recored my Z/28 radiator, as well as the one on my 69 Opel GT. Fortunately, he is just a few blocks from my office.

I also drug in the radiator off my British Limo (a Vanden Plas Princess). He immediately recognized it as a Rolls Royce radiator (Vanden Plas did the coachwork for Rolls and Bentley Limos in the 50s and 60s and used the same radiator on its own Limo). The old core was not salvageable, but he had a custom core made up, and it still runs as cool as a cucumber. Not cheap, but really no alternative.

Most larger metro areas have at least one traditional radiator shop left. I don't know what we will do when those guys start retiring. I suspect there will be one or two left in the country, and we all have to ship there.

**Lynn** · #12 10-09-2021, 03:30 AM

I think I would build my own wooden crate before shipping a rare muscle car radiator.

**Mr70** · #13 10-09-2021, 02:16 PM

Highly recommend https://alenauto.com/ ,they've done some 15 radiators for me over the last 30 years.
Lenny has be restoring radiators for some 40 + years.I used to buy his stock,then tap him to restore them.All his original Harrison radiator stock has long since dried up,but his skills sure haven't.His 2 sons are now in business with him.

**RPOLS3** · #14 10-11-2021, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr70

Highly recommend https://alenauto.com/ ,they've done some 15 radiators for me over the last 30 years.
Lenny has be restoring radiators for some 40 + years.I used to buy his stock,then tap him to restore them.All his original Harrison radiator stock has long since dried up,but his skills sure haven't.His 2 sons are now in business with him.

Good to hear they are still around - used them back in the day when I lived in Darien/Naperville as well.

dustinm · #15 10-12-2021, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67since67

Is he also in Iowa? Waterloo or Cedar Rapids?

Its been a few days since I last logged on. Their shop is in Ft Atkinson, Ia.

**jeremy clark** · #16 10-12-2021, 10:41 PM

"Best radiator" here in Hays, KS not only reused my original tanks and upper and lower cross bars, they also reused the ends of the core that the tanks solder to and made sure the rows in the core were spaced exactly the same as original. Cost less than $1,500

**Slob44** · #17 10-17-2021, 01:27 AM

I used Glen Ray Radiators ….they specialize in MOPAR but he does GM as well. They have done 5 MOPAR and 3 GM radiators and my heater core for my 69 chevelle ss ..amazing work

**427yenko** · #18 10-17-2021, 06:31 AM

X2 on Glen-Ray in Wausau, WI.
They did the radiator in my '69 Z. Bob is a great guy to work with. Toured the shop with him and he showed me the whole process. Top notch and reasonable.
Bob

**wheelhop** · #19 10-17-2021, 02:18 PM

You can try Ring Radiator in Antioch, IL. They are close to WI / IL border.
847-395-6550

**William** · #20 10-23-2021, 05:36 PM

Thanks to all!

The Following User Says Thank You to Lynn For This Useful Post:
carnut4life (10-09-2021)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mr70 For This Useful Post:
randy27 (11-02-2021), RPOLS3 (10-11-2021)