Alec Pringle Posted June 9, 2017 Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 The subject of radiators comes up from time to time - cost of rebuilding etc. I've just had the Super Snipe rad rebuilt by Raysons of Yeovil, a firm I've used occasionally for the past 30 years. The original 1958 rad, now somewhat the worse for anno domini, I wished to preserve as much as possible rather than replace. Not that replacements exist for cars as rare as an S1 Super Snipe . . . . . The old Humber has a big radiator, 27" x 19" x 2½" . . . . . a lot bigger than TR, for example. Yank Tank size as Raysons put it.This one required a recore, and some judicious repair to the brass casing and steel bracketry. Proper old-fashioned job in proper old-fashioned materials. See photos below. Cost came out at £307 including the vat, which isn't too bad for the size - and the fact that the various repairs to the metalwork are barely visible even to me, who knows where the problems were ! Usual disclaimers. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted June 9, 2017 Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 A work of Art Alec! Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nick Jones Posted June 9, 2017 Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 Yep, Raysons have done my Vitesse one twice now (I've had it 28 years!) and done a great job both times, second time with a high density core. Good company. Nick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted June 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 Come on Tom, hardly a work of art . . . . . it's Rootes !! It isn't concours standard either, far from it, just the sort of quality you'd have expected from a factory exchange unit back in the day, which is absolutely fine by me. Looks like a well but gently restored radiator, appropriate to an old car. Main thing is, I know it will do the job properly . . . . and last. Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nowtelse2do Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 A good firm in Lancashire. Rishton Raidiators, TR6 recore and small repairs. £150 + vat. Looks like new. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewMAshton Posted June 11, 2017 Report Share Posted June 11, 2017 Also Sheldrake and Wells in Ipswich, suprising the number of small firms like this that exist, they do take a bit of tracking down but certainly worth the effort, found a small firm in Doncaster to repair my TA, laser welded, very neat job but not cheap, I will post pics and details in a seperate thread, cheers, Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted June 11, 2017 Report Share Posted June 11, 2017 Alec that seems a lot of dosh, I have just had my 6 radiator stripped, cleaned, and painted for £45 at Dixons rad repairs in Denton. Did it have a new core? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted June 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2017 Hi Pete, not cheap, but then specialist stuff in the West Country never is . . . . . Agreed it would doubtless have been less costly in Birmingham or Manchester. Proper job, stripped and chemically cleaned, casing dismantled to repair minor metal damage (top, bottom and one side), new drain tap (and socket), reassembled with new core, and flashed over with the rattle can ! You can't even see where it's been brazed and remetalled, very neatly done and finished. They finish it with just the flash over of matt black so you can see the repair detail, rather than gobbing on paint to cover ineptitude. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted June 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2017 Another point Pete . . . . . Sh*t happens, as we know. TR radiators are not that difficult to replace if something goes wrong with the reconditioning. I doubt there are as many as a dozen S1 Super Snipes left in the UK, and maybe another dozen around the world. All nearly 60 years old. The radiator is unique to the S1. I don't know of a spare, anywhere. Mine was well past its sell-by date, untouched original and irreplaceable. So I expect the man to give it his very best shot, to take his time, and to make no mistakes. Which he did, spot on. So I expect to pay a premium price. We get what we pay for. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
71 V12 Posted June 17, 2017 Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 Hi All, Any recommendations for radiator specialist in the West Midlands? Many thanks, Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted June 17, 2017 Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 Another point Pete . . . . . Sh*t happens, as we know. TR radiators are not that difficult to replace if something goes wrong with the reconditioning. I doubt there are as many as a dozen S1 Super Snipes left in the UK, and maybe another dozen around the world. All nearly 60 years old. The radiator is unique to the S1. I don't know of a spare, anywhere. Mine was well past its sell-by date, untouched original and irreplaceable. So I expect the man to give it his very best shot, to take his time, and to make no mistakes. Which he did, spot on. So I expect to pay a premium price. We get what we pay for. Cheers, Alec Your right of course but the new core must have been the brunt of the cost. But its a fit and forget Job that we all like very much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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