[DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins

Julian Kift julian_kift at hotmail.com
Sun Aug 2 16:04:44 EDT 2020


Quite the trek to RA from Houston! I hope you had fun! Was that the Vintage weekend with the Shadow cars reunion where Jim Pace had a blow over in the DN-4?

Julian

________________________________
From: DeTomaso <detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com> on behalf of John Taphorn <johnftaphorn at gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2020 6:11 AM
To: Charles Engles <cengles at cox.net>
Cc: <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com> <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins

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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-------------- next part --------------
   Quite the trek to RA from Houston! I hope you had fun! Was that the
   Vintage weekend with the Shadow cars reunion where Jim Pace had a blow
   over in the DN-4?

   Julian
     __________________________________________________________________

   From: DeTomaso <detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com> on behalf of
   John Taphorn <johnftaphorn at gmail.com>
   Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2020 6:11 AM
   To: Charles Engles <cengles at cox.net>
   Cc: <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
   <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
   Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Straightening Radiator Condenser Fins

   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 [[1]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.
   >
   >
   > _______________________________________________
   >
   >
   > Detomaso Email List is not managed by POCA
   > Posted emails must not exceed 1.5 Megabytes
   > DeTomaso mailing list
   > DeTomaso at server.detomasolist.com
   > [2]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:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com
   2. http://server.detomasolist.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso


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