[DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins

John Taphorn johnftaphorn at gmail.com
Sun Aug 2 09:11:09 EDT 2020


I think so and perform the task routinely on my cars when the rad is out.
It is an exercise of patience.  I find the best tool to be a small
screwdriver or pick.  The rakes generally do not work on new radiators as
the coolant passages come out to the surface and the fins run
perpendicular.  You will also develop technique before long on how to best
manipulate the stretched fins back into shape for max air flow.

I put my formula car in a gravel trap at Road America last weekend and had
the opportunity for about one hour of zen meditation while
straightening stone flattened fins. At least I tell myself it makes for an
improvement.

Patience grasshopper.

Mike, As an engineer, you probably have what it takes

JT

On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 5:47 PM Charles Engles <cengles at cox.net> wrote:

> Dear Mike,
>
>             I have had a conventional tool to straighten the radiator fins
> for years and I have used it a handful of times.  It does not produce a
> "like new" result, but it does reduce the "dent" in the fins and preserves
> a
> bit more function.
>
>                         Warmest regards, Chuck Engles
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf
> Of Mike & Elizabeth
> Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2020 4:06 PM
> To: detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
> Subject: [DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins
>
> After 15 years knocking around up in my garage attic, the fins on the back
> of my stock radiator condenser have become quite mashed.  Is it worth
> trying
> to straighten them out?  I've ordered a rad fin straightening tool from
> Amazon but not sure if it will work that well.
>
>
>
> Thanks, Mike T.
>
>
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>
>
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-------------- next part --------------
   I thinkA so and perform the task routinely on my cars when the rad is
   out.A  It is an exercise of patience.A  I find the best tool to be a
   small screwdriver or pick.A  The rakes generally do not work on new
   radiators as the coolant passages come out to the surface and the fins
   run perpendicular.A  You will also develop technique before long on how
   to best manipulateA the stretched fins back into shape for max air
   flow.A A
   I put my formula car in a gravel trap at Road America last weekend and
   had the opportunity for about one hour of zen meditation while
   straighteningA stone flattened fins. At least I tell myself it makes
   for an improvement.
   PatienceA grasshopper.
   Mike, As an engineer, you probably have what it takes
   JT

   On Sat, Aug 1, 2020 at 5:47 PM Charles Engles <[1]cengles at cox.net>
   wrote:

     Dear Mike,
     A  A  A  A  A  A  I have had a conventional tool to straighten the
     radiator fins
     for years and I have used it a handful of times.A  It does not
     produce a
     "like new" result, but it does reduce the "dent" in the fins and
     preserves a
     bit more function.A
     A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  A  Warmest regards, Chuck Engles
     -----Original Message-----
     From: DeTomaso [mailto:[2]detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com]
     On Behalf
     Of Mike & Elizabeth
     Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2020 4:06 PM
     To: [3]detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
     Subject: [DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins
     After 15 years knocking around up in my garage attic, the fins on
     the back
     of my stock radiator condenser have become quite mashed.A  Is it
     worth trying
     to straighten them out?A  I've ordered a rad fin straightening tool
     from
     Amazon but not sure if it will work that well.
     Thanks, Mike T.
     _______________________________________________
     Detomaso Email List is not managed by POCA
     Posted emails must not exceed 1.5 Megabytes
     DeTomaso mailing list
     [4]DeTomaso at server.detomasolist.com
     [5]http://server.detomasolist.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso
     To manage your subscription (change email address, unsubscribe,
     etc.) use the links above.
     Members who post to this list grant license to the list to forward
     any message posted here to all past, current, or future members of
     the list. They also grant the list owner permission to maintain an
     archive or approve the archiving of list messages.

References

   1. mailto:cengles at cox.net
   2. mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com
   3. mailto:detomaso at server.detomasolist.com
   4. mailto:DeTomaso at server.detomasolist.com
   5. http://server.detomasolist.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso


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