Junk Radiator or Body Flex ?

[solarguy]

The 26" radiator on my 70 Cuda, 340, auto, shift kit, 3000 stall, 3:73 gear 255/15 Radial t/a rear tire has broken the  mounting strap solder joint at the top of the tank where it wraps around from the side of the core to the top of the tank.  This happened on the drivers side.  Last time about a year ago, it happened  on the passenger side.  In addition to the broken mounting solder joints, I have had 2 instances of small weeping leaks at the top tank corners at both sides.  The Rad is about 7 years old, purchased new from well known Rad vendor, (NOT GLEN RAY), brass tanks and core.  It is mounted directly to the rad core support, factory large opening with no isolators.  I don't beat on the car that often and have not noticed any body flexing in that area, i.e. hood gaps, etc.  My question is do you think the radiator is suspect in quality terms of the solder joints or am I getting body flex in the core area causing these joints to break.  What can I do about it? 

I have repaired the previous solder joints myself and they held fine.  I was at a car show last year and saw the same brand rad in a 72 Cuda and it had a broken strap in the same location as mine, couldn't find the owner to talk to though. 

What are your thoughts?

Thanks

[soundcontrol]

I have the same thing on my car, both side on top of the radiator are loose now, no leaks though. I belive mine was from the radiator getting to hot once, the car overheated because I forgot to put the cap on and a lot of the coolant evaporated.

[1 Wild R/T]

I have the same thing on my car, both side on top of the radiator are loose now, no leaks though. I belive mine was from the radiator getting to hot once, the car overheated because I forgot to put the cap on and a lot of the coolant evaporated.

Modern lead-free solder typically melts at around 400+ degrees. but it gets to a softened stage around 240-250 degrees so a little stress & an overheat could do it....

[Chryco Psycho]

My guess is a combination , poorer quality solder & some torsional body flex

[sadil340]

My aftermarket 26 inch separated on the passenger side. I never overheated. Just crappy soldering.

[Katfish]

Wouldn't hurt to add some rubber isolators at the mounting points.