ALUMINUM RADIATOR ?s

What are the good things and bad things with ALUMINUM RADIATORs.


Im needing a new RADIATOR on a 66 F250 4x4 I keep finding ALUMINUM ones. DID find one with a LifeTime Warranty tho

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290677868807?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

In the search function you will find a bunch of threads on the subject, but here is the Reader's Digest condensed version. Some of us love aluminum radiators and some of us like copper/brass. Neither side has been able to convince the other side to change teams, so it all boils down to what works for you and what has worked in the past. There is evidence on both sides of the discussion that aluminum is better, or that copper is better, depending on who you talk to.

If you go with aluminum make sure it is a welded aluminum version vs an epoxied one. The Ebay ad you posted doesn't specify welded tubes so I would ask them that question. But for $ 200 bucks and a lifetime warranty, I would take the chance on it, personally.

Don

 

If you off road at all, you definitely want welded radiator, as Don pointed out. You would shake an epoxied one apart in a short time. I would say brass/copper would be stronger, but Big Foot and most of the other Monster trucks run aluminum, and I would bet they are top of the line units built for rough service...not to mention brand name, and not bought on ebay. But yours is not going to be jumping cars and airplanes, I would expect, so a good welded one would suffice. I would be the one on ebay, at that price, is not a welded one. When something looks too good to be true, it usually is, and 200 bucks is awful cheap for an aluminum unit. I have priced them recently, and the radiator for my Falcon is probably half the size of your trucks radiator, and I haven't found a good one for under 450.00.... Just my 2 cents....

 

Found that the brand on the Rad is a Champion.

OffRoad! there is two miles of BIG ROCKS and holes to get to my house!


http://www.championradiators.com/about They SAY WELDED SEAMS, BRAZED CORE TECHNOLOGY AND NO EPOXY.

 

I need another Rad for a 66 Galaxie 289, but all i find is the inlet is on the pass side and the other on the drivers! Well I need one with both of them on the pass side.