Radiator
 

What radiator are you guys running? I have a 91 R3500 with the 454 tbi. I need to replace my radiator, I was looking at the Be-cool qualifier or the Summit aluminum universal. But Ican not find any that match the dimensionsof the radiator I have now. The biggest I can find is 31x19. I was curious what replacement radiators some big block guys are using.
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Re: Radiator
 

I am using a ReadyRad stock radiator replacement for my 83 C20 454, granny 4 spd, factory A/C. I did have one very small leak which I had to have repaired about 1 year after I put it in, but other than that it has worked well in 110 degree desert heat. Even the few times I have loaded it down to the max it did not overheat. It is only two cores but it appears thicker than the other 2 core radiators I have seen for small blocks. I think I paid about $130 for it about 4 years ago. The factory temp gauge reads less than 160 degrees when it is completely warmed up - the gauge could be off but it does function.

Others here seem to like Griffin aluminum radiators, but I lost interest in aluminum radiators after my bad experience with one in my 1963 SWC Corvette when I was still a pup about 45 years ago. I like copper/brass.

Re: Radiator
 

I had been looking at the Griffin, but it only has 2 rows. I was curious how the aluminum 2 rows cool compared to the copper 4 rows. Any thought on that

Re: Radiator
 

I have a Spectra Premium stock replacement, aluminum core with plastic tanks. Never an issue with cooling or failure, I've used this brand on several vehicles.

Re: Radiator
 

FWIW, I am very soon going to put in a aluminum core/plastic tank 2 core Spectra Premium in our 86' C30. She runs warmer on hills when towing the trailer. It's got a Ready Rad 4 core in there now but the cores are small, lots of solder slag inside when I peer inside, and the number of tube rows isn't great. I don't think it's a very well 'engineered' 4-core.

Aluminum core radiators use much wider tubes, like 1". 4-core brass/copper the tubes are much smaller, like 3/8".

From what I've read a 2 core aluminum is at least as good as a 4-core brass/copper if not better.

Re: Radiator
 

A replacement radiator from your local Oreilly's will get the job done & be much easier to deal w/if you have issues in the future.

I bought one from an internet company for my 74 & it eventually started leaking. It was low cost but after a few years started leaking the cost to repair was close to the cost of purchase. Couldn't find a receipt so they wouldn't honor the 'lifetime' warranty to replace it @ no cost. Purchased another/replacement @ Oreilly's. It was OE quality so I got the one for my BBC in my dually there as well. It's a traditional brass 4-row & huge....