Although the rad had appeared dry when I had run the car up, the following morning, there was a trace of 4Life cowl at the bottom of the rad. Naughty, naughty words.
Out with the rad again and this time I opted to try to get a new core fitted. A very helpful chap at Berkshire Radiators offered to do the job, that is until he tried to get a new core. Unsurprisingly no longer available but for £250.00 we could have a custom built one. I thought I would revisit my repair.Failing that, I would fit the spare.
To help me locate the leaks, I dug out my pressure tester but I needed to block the hose fittings. I used some of the poly bushing material and a short length of silicone hose. Sadly, the original fittings for the tester had become brittle with age and I couldn't get them to seal enough to get the rad up to the 20 psi, that the cap maintains. Time for a bit of improvisation. Instead of pressurising though the rad cap, I decided to fit the rad cap and modify one of my
bungs. I simply cut a piece of 8mm Kunifer and silicone bronze brazed it to a large steel washer. Then I drilled an 8mm hole through the bung and sealed it with some silicone.
When the silicone had gone off I refitted it and then coupled it up to the
pressure pump.
Two leaks, which I re-soldered and the radiator now holds pressure.
Lets see what happens this time.