Aluminum radiator

[broncotwister]

It's time to change the radiator. What are you guys using. Which one should I stay away from? I'm running a 302 with a mild cam. It would typically run at 180 degrees. I know that there is a few on the market. I just don't want a bad one. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[SteveL]

I stay away from the aluminum. They're brittle and they corrode. The brass will run cooler and last longer. The 4-core conversions tend to leak after about a year. A good quality 3-core is what I run with my 351w.

 

[Broncobowsher]

1991 Explorer. I think that was the one we found fits and cools good for cheap. Unless you want 100% bolt in, then I forget the flavor of the month.

 

[nvrstuk]

Don't buy Griffin alum. My buddy and I have gone thru 4 of them They all fail at tube to tank welds.

I run a huge non-stock so I can't recommend any.

 

[Timmy390]

I bought an American Eagle aluminum. The one with 1 inch tubes. I think it leaked from day one but I was fixated on hose clamps leaking. It would leak when outside temps got cold. One summer it started leaking bad. Clearly not hose clamp related.

Replaced it with a cheap eBay aluminum because i was in a pinch and it's been fine for a couple years. No leaks and could my W just fine.

I would like to do the explorer rad conversion in the future.

Tim

 

[Green_Bastard]

I’ve been running a Ron Davis from WH with the anti electrolysis cap for at least 5 years now and not a single problem.

 

[MarsChariot]

I've been running a Ron Davis with anti-electrolysis cap and ground strap for 15 years and no problem.

 

[DirtDonk]

Where do you have your ground strap mounted Mars?

 

[Madgyver]

they all leak. question is how often do you daily drive your rig?
I drive my bronco all the time, not just trails or special occasions. To the local grocery store. to the malls. to the get togethers, to the fishing spots.. daily stuff from loading 600-800# of lead in it from recyclers to dumping loads of trash at the transfer stations. every chance I get to refilling oxy/acet tanks and coolers full of fish and ice, etc.
I use to think that if the cheap aluminum champions radiator last 4-5 years, it was a good investment until they started leaking just over a year.
I had a Ron Davis that leaked after 13 months at the core and tank just past the warranty date.
I've gone through too many radiators between the 3 EBs that we run daily.
Currently using tri-pass WH copper/brass radiators now.
Daily driver here.. That's probably why.
radiators has become consumables.

 

[MarsChariot]

I put a #10 wire from the bottom of the radiator to the adjacent frame. 15 years, no leaks. Maybe it leaks tomorrow.

 

[DirtDonk]

Yep, it’s now officially jinxed!

 

[broncotwister]

Thanks everyone for the great info. I think I'll get my 3 core brass/ copper flushed and pressure tested.

 

[ksagis]

I put a #10 wire from the bottom of the radiator to the adjacent frame. 15 years, no leaks. Maybe it leaks tomorrow.

How did you attach wire to radiator?

And #10 seems like overkill to bleed off any voltage potential, any thoughts on why such a large gauge?

 

[SLOWnEASY]

Crimp the wire to an eye terminal and secure it under one of the bolts for the shroud. Unless your radiator has plastic tanks that is.
As far as the large gauge, I would say it's because people tend to overboard things. Mine is 14g because I have a lot of 14g wire laying around.

 

[RT]

they all leak. question is how often do you daily drive your rig?
I drive my bronco all the time, not just trails or special occasions. To the local grocery store. to the malls. to the get togethers, to the fishing spots.. daily stuff from loading 600-800# of lead in it from recyclers to dumping loads of trash at the transfer stations. every chance I get to refilling oxy/acet tanks and coolers full of fish and ice, etc.
I use to think that if the cheap aluminum champions radiator last 4-5 years, it was a good investment until they started leaking just over a year.
I had a Ron Davis that leaked after 13 months at the core and tank just past the warranty date.
I've gone through too many radiators between the 3 EBs that we run daily.
Currently using tri-pass WH copper/brass radiators now.
Daily driver here.. That's probably why.
radiators has become consumables.

 

[RT]

they all leak. question is how often do you daily drive your rig?
I drive my bronco all the time, not just trails or special occasions. To the local grocery store. to the malls. to the get togethers, to the fishing spots.. daily stuff from loading 600-800# of lead in it from recyclers to dumping loads of trash at the transfer stations. every chance I get to refilling oxy/acet tanks and coolers full of fish and ice, etc.
I use to think that if the cheap aluminum champions radiator last 4-5 years, it was a good investment until they started leaking just over a year.
I had a Ron Davis that leaked after 13 months at the core and tank just past the warranty date.
I've gone through too many radiators between the 3 EBs that we run daily.
Currently using tri-pass WH copper/brass radiators now.
Daily driver here.. That's probably why.
radiators has become consumables.

My Bronco is all i drive. Ive had the same issue with the tubes leaking as they enter the tanks. I've just been throwing hi temp permatex epoxy at them to get a little more time out of them. Sometimes 2 or 3 tubes. They should include a tube with the sale of these things.