[AT] Help with Radiator Leak, Please?

[John Valdez]

I am looking for a good and cheap fix on an old radiator. I don't 
think I can use "good" and "cheap" in the same sentence, but here is 
my question.

I purchased an old welder, made by General Electric.  The 
manufacturers label said the engine was a four-cylinder Hercules, but 
upon closer inspection the engine is actually a four-cylinder 
Continental.  Too bad too, as I have been looking for some time for a 
Hercules 1XB3 engine or similar replacement for another project.

The welder was dragged out of the bush behind the owner's house from 
under a mess of blackberry bushes.

Oh yes, to my question...

At some point in history, someone has shot a pellet gun at the 
radiator.  The pellet is still visible in the cooling tube.  The 
radiator leaks at this hole.

I read somewhere that to repair a radiator, a person purchased a 
special clip that fit over the tube and was soldered into place.  I 
may have found this information in an old equipment manual.

The most commonly used method of repair that I have seen is to break 
away the cooling fins between the tubes around the hole and just 
solder up the hole.  While this might be very functional, I have not 
been impressed with the looks of the completed work.

Now, here is the question -- Does anyone here have any suggestions 
that I might try to make a near "Invisible" repair to the radiator?

This may be off topic, for which I apologize.


Wayne
Vancouver Island, BC




==

ICQ Number 1625774

1930(?) Case Model L(?), gas - with Hough loader - Rescued - not running
1933 IHC T-20, Gas Crawler with blade - Running
1940's (?) Hyster Karry Krane (Cranemobile), 5 ton lift - Model CM; 
Serial 115, with Hercules 1XB3 4 cyl gas - Rescued - not running - 
Hercules IXB3 engine has major parts missing..
1947 Massey-Harris Pony, gas - Model 11 - Serial PGS-1256 - running
1948 McCormick Farmall H, gas - Serial FBH-272855 with Loader - 
running; needs clutch
1947-55(?) Towmotor Forklift, 4,000 lb lift - gas - no Serial - 
partial restore - running
1950(?) IHC Stationary Engine(same as Farmall H) with Trans and flat 
belt pulley - running
1951 IHC TD-9, Diesel Crawler/bulldozer - Serial TDCB-42774 - engine 
being re-worked.
1952 IHC TD-9, Diesel Crawler/bulldozer - Serial TDCB-56552 - needs 
final gears  not running
1952(?) Earthmaster tractor, gas - no serial, not running
1953 Thew/Lorain 15 ton Truck Crane, serial 24876 - 40 ft boom, two 6 
cylinder gas - partial restore - running
1967 Ford Thunderbird 2 Door - Older Restore
1975 Kubota B6000, Diesel 4x4 - with loader and backhoe - Rebuilt 
1999 - running
1980 Case 580C, Diesel Loader/Backhoe - Serial 9011002 - running
1984 Mustang convertible - running
1998 John Deere 870 4WD, Diesel - with loader - running
...and some more engines, compressors and welders

Accessories:
1947 Champion Sparkplug tester and cleaner
1950  Sun Dwell and Tach meter
...and more