Aluminum Radiators

[kevinr1970]

I need a radiator for one of my Blazers.
On CL today there is a guy advertising 2 for an '83 K5. Says one is well used but still good, but the other one is almost brand new, was still in the box.
So when I get there and he pulls out the radiators the "new" one is Aluminum. He says its a two-core, but it is as wide/thick (front-to-back) as the 3 or 4 core radiator from my Suburban. It has plastic tanks on each side.

It looked pretty nice except a few scuffs across some of the cooling fins so I bought it.
My question is is this radiator a good fit to be used for a daily driver with no AC? What about with AC?
Any info is appreciated.

[Slonaker]

I think the aluminum ones on summitracing.com and jegs.com are two row, if that helps any.

Something I read a few days ago said that aluminum radiators have fewer, but thicker, rows. It was supposed to improve cooling according to the article. I think it was in Super Chevy, or one of the Chevy magazines I was looking at in a bookstore.

Slonaker

[Prerunner1982]

How much is he wanting for it? I got a new 4 core from dealership for $125 give or take $25....

[bigarmzz]

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

How much is he wanting for it? I got a new 4 core from dealership for $125 give or take $25....

geeze, thats a good deal from a dealership on a 4 core

[Slonaker]

Yeah, a 3 row is like $150 at my local auto parts stores. I just swapped mine under waranty a couple of weeks ago.

Slonaker

[Prerunner1982]

sorry, brain fart... been working 10+ days now... I got it from Auto Zone, but still a good deal.... I got the mounting hardware from dealership. But you cant go in just asking for an aluminum 4 core, they will quote you over $300. Ask for a similar year 1ton with 454. my cools just fine and I am not running a fan shroud. Will eventually install electric fans,shroud, and highflow water pump and it should work great.

[kevinr1970]

I bought it for $50.
So it should be just fine for DD application?

[Prerunner1982]

Dont see why not...

[piecesparts]

If you talk to any of the suppliers for aluminum radiators or any radiator shops, they will tell you that a two row aluminum is as good as any three row standard radiator and will match most four row radiators. I have a factory two row in my 91 silverado (with the plastic tanks) and it is standing up well to daily driving and A/C usage. I even eliminated my factory mechanical fan and installed a set of electric fans. I have yet to have any heating problems and the temps here have been at 100 degrees average. I believe that you did well in this deal....

[ElGracho]

There is a reason ALL new cars come with aluminum radiators. Aluminum is better for heat transfer, stronger and in general those aluminum/plastic radiators will outlast the rest of the vehicle. I'll be putting one in my 84 since my second new brass radiator has started leaking.

[kevinr1970]

Good to hear!

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

Actually they went with the aluminum radiators with plastic tanks for weight savings. They tend to leak around the tanks where they meet the aluminum cores are are basically a throw away radiator when they do leak. Aluminum is a better material than brass, but only if the whole radiator is aluminum. I have a Griffin racing aluminum radiator in my 83 El Camino that has the 2 1.5 inch tubes in it and is as thick as a regular 4 core brass radiator. It works very well.

[mrenj23]

Kind of off topic but I just pulled my aluminum radiator out of my truck so I can Z the frame and was wondering if I need to do anything to it before I store it since it may be a couple of months. Thanks

[ElGracho]

Originally Posted by 72C203503ONTHETREE

Actually they went with the aluminum radiators with plastic tanks for weight savings.

Not true. They went to aluminum/plastic because it's cheaper and better. They also don't require soldering to assemble making them more environmentally friendly to assemble (lowering their component expense even more). They are better and cause fewer warranty repairs which they want because warranties are a very expensive part of a new car.

Originally Posted by 72C203503ONTHETREE

They tend to leak around the tanks where they meet the aluminum cores are are basically a throw away radiator when they do leak.

Very true statement. On the other hand, how many 95-99 Chevy trucks with 200k miles DON'T HAVE there original aluminum/plastic radiator? Very few. How many 73-87 Chevy trucks with 200k HAVE their original copper/brass radiator? Even fewer. Also, finding a radiator shop that will repair a radiator (rodding out, recoring or even repairing leaks) for less than the price of a new one is rare now days.

Originally Posted by 72C203503ONTHETREE

Aluminum is a better material than brass, but only if the whole radiator is aluminum.

What?

Originally Posted by 72C203503ONTHETREE

I have a Griffin racing aluminum radiator in my 83 El Camino that has the 2 1.5 inch tubes in it and is as thick as a regular 4 core brass radiator. It works very well.

No doubt, this would be the best radiator construction. It's also very expensive.

My point is that you have pretty much three choices when it comes time to buy a radiator. Copper/brass, Aluminum/Plastic or all aluminum. The aluminum plastic can be purchased with a lifetime warranty from a big chain parts store (Autozone etc...) for less than a copper brass radiator and will get you a better product for the money. The all aluminum radiator is the Cadillac but you will pay a lot more for it, can't buy it off the shelf in most towns, and won't get a lifetime warranty.

[Justins76]

Originally Posted by 72C203503ONTHETREE

They tend to leak around the tanks where they meet the aluminum cores are are basically a throw away radiator when they do leak.

Yep, gone thru 2 on 2 different vehicles.

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

At least with the all brass or all aluminum radiators they can be repaired and reused. The plastic tanked radiators cant be fixed easily if at all. My 73 still has its original brass radiator and it has 182,000 miles, odometer says 82,000 but it has to be over a 100 K by now. Even has the original hoses and clamps unless someone was anal enough to use new factory clamps. The all metal radiators are also stronger, they take a lot more beating before leaking. Try twisting a plastic tank radiator very much and they go striaght to the scrap heap. Yes the plastic versions are cheaper but that doesnt make them better, thats how we got stuck with FWD POS cars also, cheaper to make using less materials and easier to manufacture by having the engine/trans in one unit installed onto the car.

[piecesparts]

I have an aluminum radiator with the plastic tanks on my 91 and it has over 205,000 miles on it. Still good and working fine.