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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Port Orchard, WA
Posts: 38
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How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
After exhaustively researching radiator options for my LS swap I decided to purchase a radiator from a trusted forum “Gold Vendor” - R&D Fabrication. I was sold on US built with US materials! What I received was a leaky radiator after 4k miles and a frustrating / ludicrous customer experience with no resolution. All told, I’m out $920 on a chunk of leaky aluminum.
Timeline of events with more detail (have emails for each event): 10/24/2016 - Purchased R&D radiator from Sparky for $730.00 ...Building truck 8/15/2017 - Installed radiator in truck ...Put 4K miles on truck 2/14/2018 - Noticed radiator dripping and leaking from bottom 3/23/2018 - Me - Emailed R&D explaining leaking issue with pictures 3/27/2018 - Thanked me for pictures and replied that the pictures were too hard to tell what was happening, needed the radiator to pressure test and fix. 4/4/2018 - Me - Shipped radiator to R&D at my expense of $125 to his shop 4/13/2018 - Me - Emailed, checking on status 4/16/2018 - R&D -Replied, should be testing soon, will reply with results as soon as possible. 4/20/2018 - Me - Emailed asking for status of test 4/24/2018 - Me - Emailed asking for status of test 4/24/2018 - R&D - Emaiedl, All radiators have 1 year warranty, no refunds after that, no status provided!! 4/25/2018 - R&D - email, shop guys tested didn't find any leaks 4/25/2018 - Me - please pressure test overnight, I am positive it has a leak. 4/26/2018 - R&D - Found tube to header leak, fixing and will recheck for leaks 4/30/2018 - Me - Checking on status, how is it going? 5/1/2018 - R&D - Able to fix, will ship tomorrow. Need you to cover shipping, Invoice sent 5/1/2018 - Me - Paid invoice of $70.00 to get radiator returned 5/4/2018 - Me - Need status, please send tracking number 5/8/2018 - R&D - Found two more leaks after shop manager asked workers to test. Assured it would be fixed and shipped out this evening. 5/9/2018 - R&D - Tracking code sent 5/16/2018 - Me - Radiator arrives, I flush per instructions, when I add coolant I notice aluminum shavings that appear to be Stop Leak. Email R&D with concerns. 5/17/2018 - R&D we never use “Stop Leak”, most likely weld or resin residue, we use resin to “cover weld bleed through” 5/18/2018 - Me - Looks like leak is back, no joke. 5/20/2018 - Me - emailed R&D confirming leaks are back and worse than ever. 5/21/2018 - R&D sorry, pressure tested it multiple times before sending back, what cap and water pump are you using. 5/21/2018 - Me, 16psi cap with stock LS3 pump 5/22/2018 - Oh, we recommend 12-15 psi cap, I don't feel confident with further repairs. We will need to build a new one. 5/22/2018 - Me - how much? No further emails received from R&D Lessons learned: I need to do my homework on a small shop before pulling the trigger. Next time I will request any terms and conditions as well as the warranty info upfront, before I purchase. I will also ask what they will do / what I need to do in the event of issue (i.e. shipping) Lastly, check to see if they are a legit company, just because they are a “Gold Vendor” doesn't mean they are a valid company. A quick search on that net revealed R&D does not have a valid business license since December 2016. Ending: I waited a long time before posting and really worked at only including details and not emotion here. In the end, I called Entropy, they seem to be the real deal. I received my radiator in a couple weeks, exactly as promised. It fit perfect and it keeps the truck running quite a bit cooler. The materials and build quality are much more impressive, too. I only have a few hundred miles on at the time of this post so we will see if it holds but I have a lot more confidence in this unit already. Lastly: Anyone have ideas on what I should do with this leaky radiator? I can't seem to bring myself to recycle it. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Rockwell, NC
Posts: 1,639
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Sorry to hear it, that completely sucks.
I took forever trying to decide which way to go with my radiator and also went with entropy. Had to wait a few weeks which they told me up front but it is art. They are to radiators what boyds is to fuel tanks. Not cheap but well worth the money. Got their fan controller afterwards as well. Just as happy with it.
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1970 C-10 LWB "Blu" Instagram (current build pictures) 70_nc_c10 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: canton ga
Posts: 12,728
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I now know where not to shop for a Radiator .
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
What do you want for that piece of leaky aluminum ?
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road.
Posts: 2,629
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Come on now Grumpy lets not feed off ones misery. I sympathize with the guy some suppliers out there are really just in it for the money trying to compete with the Top Dogs.
Ends up being a shamble, not fun. I got a pair of drums on my truck supposedly Wagners that are out of round no fun chinese crap. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Port Orchard, WA
Posts: 38
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Faith,NC
Posts: 1,626
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 3,081
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Pretty generous to allow Grumpy to take this chunk of aluminum off your hands there!
You could sell those fans and shroud to recoup at leas a couple hundred of your loss. -klb
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67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mid NE USA
Posts: 2,212
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Sorry some Co's bad customer service. They always have ways to push the blame
Ron
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Member #111 68 C-10 ![]() 70 ![]() 76 Jeep CJ-5 Help Support the Board: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. Thomas Jefferson |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Heart of Tennessee
Posts: 1,120
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I bought one from sparky, it leaked, they fixed. No problem
Since, however I wonder why I spent so much, when the lower neck hose isn't even angled correctly for our trucks? I will shop better next time. |
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Posts: 398
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I'm glad you posted this, I was thinking of buying from them for my LS swap...based off being a "gold vender" and all on this forum.
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1968 C10 SWB 400SBC with VN327 20's 1972 K5 Blazer 383SBC 2011 Cadillac CTSV |
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: KINGSPORT,TN.
Posts: 3,035
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
16 lb cap, way too much. 5lb is plenty. rock auto rads are less than 200 delivered
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I BELIEVE IN JOHN 3:16 |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Shipping is too high for me ,Maybe someone closer can take advantage of this good deal .
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#15 |
Scrapper 1
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Riverside Calif
Posts: 1,649
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
do they make a brass and copper radiator of the LS swap
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#16 |
People know me
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hermiston, oregon
Posts: 840
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I am sure the state would love to hear about a business operating without a license in the state, IRS may be interested too. I have had great luck dealing with the State attorney general the couple of times I was wronged as a customer.
It is unfortunate that a company wont stand behind their product and it stings even more when you were sold on "quality" and spent big money for what ended up junk. Do the next guy a favor and send karma their way by sending a couple emails to the state offices explaining what happened and the lack of a license.
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1972 k/5 blazer CST 4X4 Crate 350, th350/205, dana44with trac-loc/14 bolt with detroit locker, 4 wheel discs 4.56s, 8" suspension lift using 73-87springs, 1" zerorate custom front crossmember, HAD CV drivelines and driveshaft e-brake, full cage, PRP seats, Full autometer gauges, 38x14.5x16 Toyo M/Ts, 16x10 Polished aluminum rockcrusher wheels 1967 longbox 4x4, Strong 400/400/208, 44/12bolt 4.10s, 6" lift, 35" Toyo M/Ts on corvette rally wheels |
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#17 | |
Who's got steelies?
![]() Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Morrison, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,026
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Quote:
![]() I am sure the forum staff would want to know these things too.
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#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Orland Park Il
Posts: 2,041
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Quote:
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68 GMC C3500 Longhorn DRW 67 Chevy C10 LWB 90 Mustang Gt 90 Mustang Notchback |
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#19 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Tahuya WA
Posts: 564
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Quote:
I don't need a radiator, but I would like to take this opportunity to express my amazement at how generous some of you forum members really are! ![]() Maybe a lower pressure cap? Would a can of sealant help with aluminum? I like raggedjim's idea of taking it to a local old school shop to see if they could help. Best of luck to you Bud. ![]() |
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#20 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Murray, Kentucky
Posts: 3,479
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I'd take it to a local old-school radiator shop. They could probably fix it.
Good luck, Rg
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Orland Park Il
Posts: 2,041
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I’d want to “hand deliver” it to the shop it came from....
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68 GMC C3500 Longhorn DRW 67 Chevy C10 LWB 90 Mustang Gt 90 Mustang Notchback |
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#22 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,099
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
In my experience the problem with aluminum radiators is repairs are mostly limited to epoxying the leak. One of the reasons I went copper in my Burban. Copper leaks can be soldered.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 682
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
This is not surprising to see coming from them....I had issues with the cheap transmission cooler fittings that they use in their radiators. I ended up sending it back with the fittings that I wanted installed in them, got the radiator back with the fittings welded into the tank at a cost of $70 shipping to return it, $50 for the repair, and another $70 return shipping. $190 for 2 3/8” diameter welds. I could have done this repair myself. I wanted the radiator repaired not patched. This is after buying 4 of the radiators from them. The slow shipping and lack of communication alone will keep me from being a return customer again.
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#24 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,004
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Thread moved to vendor review board as appropriate.
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1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Anderson SC
Posts: 3,883
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
You're a team leader so maybe you can help... I PM'd Josh after getting the runaround from RnD but never recieved a reply. Why is RnD still allowed to post as a gold vendor here?
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gold vendor, r&d, radiator, screwed |
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