Re: What would YOU do?
I appreciate your confidence in me, but I probably can't even lift the radiator, let alone get it on or off. I know a lot about cars, (well, a lot in my opinion, I guess), but I can't do a lot physically with cars. I for example, know how to change a tire, but I can't physically break the lug nuts loose, nor can I physically lift the tire (at least not on my car. I was able to lift it for the small mustang my ex-had).
ASHTON WROTE:
1) Ignore the gurrl taunts; most guys forget.. how many mistakes were made, learning about so basic a thing as *torque* on bolts (where few used to have a real torque-wrench) plus the miserable inaccessibility of rusted / semi-stripped bolts and the like. If you've never done any wrenching, well.. the lore can't be posted for instant absorption.
Yep, we've had numerous problems with rusted bolts, stripped bolts, and just plain STUCK ones in my car over the years. I relate to that. I've wrenched a little, but mostly it serves to wrench my back more than anything else, and I just threw it out on Sunday to top it off.
2) All good advice above; maybe a local kid can be harnessed to -yes- a pretty simple job needing no 'calibrations' or special insights. Assuming you want to do it for cheap (within reason) -
I used to have a local "kid" although he isn't anywhere near a kid anymore. However, we had a serious falling out and I no longer utilize his services, and wouldn't ask him again ever. He's actually the guy who rebuilt and installed my motor when it threw a rod in 1996.
I also had a local old man, still have him, in fact, but he's getting older and older, and he did/does bodywork and builds cars. However, I didn't want to ask him, as he has been sick a lot lately, and also lives a lot farther away now than he used to, so it's some drive. I prefer not to drive my car with this radiator problem.
So I pretty much lost all my good cheap, friend mechanics. Dobbs however, has served me well for years now, and I know them all by name, and they know me. They know my car inside and out, which I trust, because that's the single most important factor, that they understand Sapphire and treat her right, and know what they are doing. I don't trust just anyone to mess with my car, and I don't know any other local "kids" anymore.
3) I just rebuilt my distributor: an expected oil weep at this age, just beginning because of flattened o-ring seals. Got all parts on the web; ~30% cheaper than dealer rates. Piece o'cake. Know of others who have bought radiators that way (though not for retro-stuff like yours).
The only things I've bought on the web for my car are things that are sure exact matches. For example, I bought the left front fender for my car online from Arizona, and also bought the speedometer cable from there. The cable was actually shorter than the original, but the mechanic made it work. I don't know how exact a radiator is, since it didn't seem to have exact model, (style, etc) listed, just 1968 Plymouth. Perhaps that means they are interchangeable, but I would not want to trust that. Been there done that with the carburetor. Luckily for me, Dobbs was dealing with the carburetor, and they kept sending it back till they got one that fit.
I don't see why your rad is so expensive for 'new'-ish, unless there really aren't that many radiators for '68 iron any more (??) In any event - a recycler's offering can be taken to a shop, inspected for munged cooling tubes, reverse-flushed for luck - and pressure tested. If it flunks - take it back and find another radiator / supplier.
I realize we could have gone with a re-core. I was nervous about that due to it already having been recored in 1995, plus the fact that they told me the fins were really bad, and the whole thing was fairly shot. Even the 2nd company that specializes in radiators told me there was a possibility that the old one could not be recored again.
Again - if you've never used tools and your SO is also deprived: doubt you should try this without supervision -- but if you do, thou shalt then feel Empowered!
I've used tools, but as I said, there's a limit to the car work I can do. John on the other hand wasn't even exposed to mechanics like that as there was no interest in it from his dad or mom or other family members. I grew up around cars and guys, and I learned a great deal about them. This actually impresses the mechanics at Dobbs, because I know what I'm talking about. Plus I got the complete manual for my car and I've read it several times. That always helps.
My friend who used to work on my car always told me, if I had had more strength, I would have made a great car mechanic. ;) As it was, I was better at handing him tools and retrieving screws that sild into tight places in the engine. But I observed and learned a lot that has stayed with me since.
Thanks Ashton.
Brenda