Thread: Radiator questions

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What are the pros and/or cons of an aluminum radiator like one made by US Radiator as opposed to a traditional radiator (something like a Walker)...it'll be going in a '32 hi-boy with a 350/350 combo; no AC.
Was at the Street Rod Nationals in Kalamazoo last weekend talking to the different manufactueres and of course each manufacturer says theirs is better, so what do the real world actual users say?
Bearing in mind this'll be driven in Michigan, which would you choose and why or why not?

I have not bought one yet ,but have been looking ,....quality would be my biggest concern.

Make sure it's a welded radiator and not an epoxied one! Also, I've used a lot of aluminum radiators and have had the best cooling with the two core units with the cores at least 1/2" thick.. I put a Norther radiator in the Merc, Steve idled around all afternoon Thursday with the temp in the mid 80's. Temp stayed at 180-186 with a 185 stat!!! Also, as with any radiator, it takes a good shroud to make them cool correctly...

There are a lot of opinions on aluminum vs cooper/brass radiators. Some think that an aluminum radiator will cool better, but they are hard to have repaired, or almost impossible if it's put together with epoxy.

I will say one thing for Walker, their customer service and warranty is hard to beat. I have a Walker that was over ten years old when it started to leak. I was quoted $128 to send it in and have it gone through. When I called to check on it and find out how to pay them I was told not to worry about it, so my radiator was recored for the cost of me shipping it down to them, and turn around time (from the day I shipped it) was about 10 days.

I really don't know that much about radiators, but have just been under the impression (since I've seen so many) that aluminum must be better, maybe more expensive, but better performing. Yet I look at the price of a Walker, and they're very close in price to the cost of an aluminum one, so now I'm confused, I figured traditional might be cheaper, pay a few hundred more for the aluminum and get better performance, but if they're close to the same price, why buy one over the other?

Aluminum disipates heat faster, but you must have a good shroud on any radiator. I bought a AFCO through Summit for the 39, they had one on closeout with the water necks I needed, $450. I can't run a traditional fan/clutch set up, so got a 16" electric Flex cool, draws 3300cfm, it has curved blades, built on shroud and is 4.5" deep, so it sits back off the radiator core, giving it better air draw. That was $300, after adding a recovery can for another $50, I'm at $800 and built my own brackets. It's a toss up on what you can do in your situation, don't skimp. My Vette has never been over 215, even in traffic on 95 degree days. A lot of hot rodders with punched motors can't do cruises very well, they get hot. It cost a little more for piece of mind....

Go here and check out the PRC aluminum radiators: http://streetrodstuff.com/Products/99/. People have nothing but good things to say about them, and epoxy is not used in their construction. Their customer service is very good.

Griffin make street rod radiators. And ther are the best.

As mentioned, PRC builds a good radiator. We have two of them so far. There are only two problems I have seen with any aluminum radiator: The color may look different in a car with no grille in front of it (like my T) and the aluminum gets pushed out of shape easily. Not the main body or tubes, but the thin honeycombing that is between the tubes. You just breathe on it and it gets messed up.

I've been running an aluminum one in my 5.0/Jeep for four or five years and it has been flawless as well. I also have a Brassworks in my '27 and it held up well for years.

That being said, we also have a Walker '32 radiator for my Son's T, and there is no denying that it is a very well built piece. I guess the key is to buy either aluminum or copper from a well known builder.


Don