Customs Styleline radiator question

My old copper radiator in my 52 styleline is leaking in about 4 spots where the core meets the top tank. My question is should I try and have it repaired or buy a new aluminum one. And if I get a new one the ones I keep finding are for v8 swaps and I'm still running a 235. Any thoughts on this will be great thanks

 

To have an old one redone is usually quite a bit more expensive than a new radiator, you'd definitely be cheaper to buy a new replacement one, although the fabbed tanks on the aluminum ones aren't very period-looking, they do perform really well. As for the availability, try looking at radiators from other cars, or generic universal radiators that you could mount with the hose inlet and outlets in the right spot.

I bought one for my '58 Chevy for $150 shipped, had to drill mount holes and fab some spacer brackets to get it in the car properly, but it wasn't too bad to do and was better than paying $400+ for a bolt-in type.

 

I'm a little late to the party, as usual, but hopefully you'll find this information beneficial. There are quite a few positive reviews on chevytalk for the Champion EC4954 radiator, most people report that it's an excellent radiator for the price. Based on other online reviews, I couldn't p*** up the opportunity to order one for less than $200 shipped to my door, but I have not installed mine yet.

http://www.championradiators.com/Chevy-car-radiator-2-row-1949-1954

 

Get it repaired.

 

AJ Horton, why would you consider an aluminum radiator unless your concerned about weight. Copper/Br*** radiators have greater cooling coefficient then aluminum. They also can usually repaired easier. Lots of aluminum radiators are throw aways if they start leaking. Especially the epoxied ones.

Gary

 

According to A. Graham Bells book "Four stroke performance tuning" copper/br*** has to have narrower water tubes than aluminum, making their contact area to the cooling fins smaller, restricting heat transfer and reducing the cooling capacity, making aluminium radiators transfer heat slightly better.

I'd go with copper anyway, unless low weight was very important, maximum cooling required, and DIY repairability not needed.

 

I spent a lot to have the stock radiator repaired when it had a couple of pin holes. Didn't last very long before leaking again. I then had it re cored. It still has the original tank and frame. I should have just re cored it from the start.