If you get your radiator re-cored, check one thing before you install it.

The guy did a nice overall job on the re-core, but the two air bleed ports on the top of the radiator were painted right up to the thread holes. I didn't notice or realize what this might conceal or if it was a problem, but the morning after putting everything back together there was a little coolant on the floor.

Neither spot leaked while the car was running, but apparently did when the car went through expansion/contraction phases after shutdown. When I removed the paint on the mating surface for the copper washers, it turns out there was a tiny flattened drop of solder on one that interfered with a water tight seal.

Properly leveling and cleaning the surface was a pain with everything back together and in the car, while making sure nothing got into the radiator, so it would be a LOT easier to remove paint from the mating surface and dress it as necessary while it's out of the car and empty.

Hopefully my stupidity will help others avoid the hassle.

 

Thanks