Where does one obtain the metal inserts?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

If you want to re-enforce a W123 radiator, a 1-inch copper pipe seems to be a good fit. I believe you can also buy an insert "kit."

I bought a union for 1" copper pipe and machined it down a couple hundredths until it had a slight interference fit, then tapped it in.

A 1" pipe was too small for my radiator neck.

That's probably a better solution, when I used the 1-inch pipe to "patch" mine it was a loose fit. I was able to glue it in place with about 1/16 inch of JB Weld. Good enough for a patch, but not for a reenforcement. I didn't bother on my new one, hopefully it will last another 20 years anyway.

BTW, here is a kit for the radiator neck:

http://**************.com/node/710

I'm presuming you bought a coupling. A union is a completely different animal.........

I am sure that you are right. I just stumbled around in the plumbing section of the hardware store with my dial caliper until I found something that looked like it would work. And it cost about 94% less than the aforementioned kit.

When I replaced the radiator in the SDL a couple of years ago I gave the upper hose connection on the old radiator a tap with a 1/2 drive. Broke like an eggshell! I bet it would have failed soon.

Moral of the story is, if you drive the car pretty far just replace it before it breaks.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Sounds like a good idea, my indy thinks these things only have a life expectancy of about 10 years. I was thinking about replacing mine in the spring to improve summer cooling anyway. I was going to look into a replacement radiator with metal tanks, but I ended up getting a new OEM because it was available.

I go by the 10 year rule if its a car I plan on keeping for awhile. I don't want to deal with problems, and with an old car you need to be proactive with maintaince in order to do this. My old Camry split the plastic radiator at the 10 year mark, my dads F150 just did at the 13 year mark. (but it has a lot less miles on it then the Toyota did) The SDL's failed at the 18 year mark, go Behr!

At 10 years if the radiator is $200ish or less I'm replacing it, if its super expensive I'll keep an eye on it.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I assumed mine was original, but I don't really know. Oh well, I should be good for another 10 years.

The Behr cost about $320 (plus hoses) and about 2 hours total work.

Some time ago, I picked up a neck-reinforcement kit from "**************.com". I advise those with plastic neck radiators to do the same.