Northern Radiators boasts a Classic and Vintage radiator repair division with a pedigree that traces back to 1920
With a wealth of experience our team will be able to quickly diagnose and repair your problem
Our time served technicians have the skills that allow us to repair or restore your vintage radiator, intercooler, oil cooler, heater, condenser, fuel tank or sump often to better than the day it left the factory
If you need help right away or would like to find out more, please get in touch
CLASSIC RADIATOR REPAIRS AND UPGRADES
Clearly, we’ve been at this a long time (from when vintage was new in fact!)
Northern Radiators was the original radiator manufacturer for the iconic Scott Motorcycle brand, so when it comes to repairing vintage radiators, intercoolers, oil coolers, heaters, condensers, fuel tanks and sumps then look no further
Our Vintage and Classic Division has repaired literally hundreds of vintage radiators, and our time served staff are highly knowledgeable and skilled in this area
Many classic radiators suffer from overheating, often because of the water tubes suffering from a build-up of deposits that restrict the flow rate. A quick test in our workshop can identify if the radiator is blocked
Northern Radiators offers the vintage vehicle enthusiast the following services and can talk you through all options for your vehicle
Testing:
pressure and flow rates - A pressure test will reveal any leaks in the core or tanks of the radiator. A flow test
will determine the extent of any internal blockage to the tubes.
After testing we will contact you with our findings and recommendations without
any obligation.
Cleaning - Internal blockages may be removed with a chemical clean. Badly blocked cores will require a replacement. External blockage in the core can be removed with steam cleaning
Repairs:
leaks to the core and tanks- We can repair many leaking radiators, tube leaks, core leaks, tank leaks and fitting leaks. We have many repair techniques depending on the problem.
Recondition service:
full overhaul of the unit - Some radiators will recondition. We will strip the radiator down and clean all parts. Tubes will be unblocked and tube joints re soldered. Reassembled and tested
Recore:
strip and reassemble with We can recore any classic radiator and offer many different specifications of core
core (upgrade if required) from the original design to ones with more water tubes and a higher fin pitch,
and in most cases a more efficient construction of core which provides up-rated cooling
All re-cored radiators are individually inspected and tested prior to spray painting with your choice of matt or gloss black radiator paint
If you need help right away or would like to find out more, please get in touch
CLASSIC AND VINTAGE FUEL TANKS
We are experts when it comes to fuel tank repairs -we can repair plastic, steel or aluminium tanks
The vintage vehicle owner is offered the following fuel tank services:
- Tank Cleaning
- Tank repairs
- Tank restoration
All fuel tanks need be chemical cleaning internally and externally to remove any trace of flammable fuel. Small leaks and holes can be repaired by solder or welding. Larger damage or leaks may require a new section of material welding to the tank
Fuel Tank RENU
As the original agents to introduce the process to the UK, should a tank be too badly corroded or rusty for conventional repair, Northern Radiators can restore it with our
Fuel Tank RENU system
Fuel tanks usually suffer from a lot of wear and tear, and can end up punctured or scraped, which will often lead to corrosion and rust. The first thing people think of is to just replace it, but there is a more cost-effective and economically friendly way to deal with these damaged fuel tanks
Fuel Tank RENU is a method in which old and corroded fuel tanks are cleaned and plastic coated. The process used is both proven and patented. It can be cheaper and faster than simply purchasing a new fuel tank
This unique process uses chemical bonding. It coats both the inside and the outside of the tank, providing a double layer of protection which is incredibly tough and durable. This chemical bonding seals your tank from rust and corrosion.
The Fuel Tank RENU process is compatible with water, diesel, petrol, methanol, alcohol and high octane. It has been well tested, and is a safe process to use
If you have a tank that is old and hard to find, this is the solution for you. Once treated, your will provide years od trouble free service
***Use on vintage tanks that need restoring, or new tanks to give them a lifetime protection
RENU: the process
The tank is de-fumed before it is blasted back to bare metal, inside and out (holes will be cut to gain access)
A liquid plastic is applied to the inside and outside of the tank and is then cured in an industrial oven, resulting in a steel tank that is protected inside and out with a durable plastic coating
**Please note the tank will have a rubberised appearance. For vintage and other painted tanks, internal Re-Nu only can be specified
CLASSIC AND VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE TANKS
Northern Radiators offers two possible options for motorcycle tanks
One is a glass lining inside the tank:
The interior of the tank is thoroughly cleaned and then coated with a glass lining.
During glass lining, we do our best not to disturb your external paintwork (although we can't guarantee it)
The second option is Fuel Tank RENU
The tank is cut open and shot blasted back to bare metal to remove all rust, any necessary repairs are then undertaken, then the interior trated with a rubberised lining
The tank is then baked in the oven at high temperature, cooled and tested, then primed and sanded outside
Turnaround time is approximately 2-3 weeks, but demand is high and lead times may prove longer. Details of this will be discussed at time of enquiry
Please note every tank is different in some way shape or form, and we may use the glass lining instead of the RENU and vice versa should we feel the job will be stronger once a tank arrives with us and is inspected. All options and quotation will be fully discussed prior to any work commencing
Turnaround times may vary with the amount of work we have on at the time your tank arrives with us.
Should a complete refurbishment solution be required, with the provision of the correct paint codes for a tank's colour, we can arrange refinishing of your paint job to a very high standard, and are oftern able to replicate/replace decals and decorative detailing on a tank
Please enquire about the additional paint refinishing at time of enquiry
CLASSIC AND VINTAGE HEATERS
The heater matrix is a small radiator inside the car that heats up the interior. If your heater matrix is choked up, you won’t get as much heat into the car as you should. Heaters, like car radiators, can clog up due to build up of deposits or dirt in the cooling system
Repair options start from a chemical descale; if the heater is too badly blocked, we can replace the core with a high-performance unit
Northern Radiators supply heater matrix for most makes and model of vehicle
As with radiators, we can repair, re-core or recondition more difficult to source heaters and can copy heaters that are made of aluminium
CIRCULAR SMITHS TYPE HEATER
Many cars in the 1940s and early 1950s were fitted with circular under-dash units, the most popular of which was the Smiths unit fitted to Morris, TR3, Austin-Healey, Jaguar XK and LandRover
The weak point on these was the heat exchanger, made of ‘tinned’ steel that eventually rusted away
There is no satisfactory repair for these (see alternative solutions below)
CLAYTON HEATER UNITS
The similar Clayton units were used by Daimler, Alvis, Lea-Francis, Armstrong Siddeley, Rover (and LandRover s1), and Jaguar saloons (and most bus cabs in the 1950s)
Clayton units were more expensive but used all-copper wire wound tubes for the heat exchanger, which gave a very long service life and was resistant to both blockage and leaks
These heaters are still manufactured today off the original tooling, and are available with various water pipe configurations, with or without demisting (which in Clayton’s case is by an additional fan on the back of the heater), and are available in 6-, 12-, and 24-volt versions
CLAYTON SMITHS REPLACEMENTS
Clayton manufactures a special range of the copper circular heat exchanger specifically to fit Smiths heaters on a replacement basis. Various versions and sizes are available to suit the various originals.
Motors, fans, and backplates are also available - so long as you have a serviceable front plate with doors, a new (improved!) heater can be built.
For the purists this is virtually indistinguishable from the original (until you feel the heat when you turn it on that is…)
XEROS HEATERS
An efficient alternative for the non-purists – a modern compact plastic bodied heater, 3-speeds & powerful – twice the output for half the price!!!
