Truck Repair: 1994 f150 rad leaking, hairline crack, radiator shop

Question
hello Van,
I drive a 1994 f150 4x2 with a 351 . the rad has been leaking for about three months , a freind of mine says you can re- crimb the tabs that hold the plastic tank to the rad , this is where the leak is , my question is , have you ever heard of this or have you ever done this . if so , does it work?
                  thanks for your time  

Answer
Hello Rob,
I have heard of it, and also done it.
Sometimes it will take care of the problem, but there is a gasket in there also, and if part of it is washed away, the crimping probably won't work.

You might also find a little hairline crack in the area near the crimp lugs. If that is the case, a radiator shop will probably have replacement tanks, and that is much cheaper than a new radiator.

Radiators from Auto Zone, or O Reillys are really not all that expensive.

Van