Who Makes a Good New Radiator For Our Trucks?

[71GreenJunk]

Down to just a few items I need to buy before I order a new GM crate engine for my truck and I got to thinking about my old radiator. My old radiator cooled just fine, ran 190 in the summer with a 180 degree thermostat and a cracked head on the 307 (had lightweight 267 heads swapped on at 1 point, already cracked). But it has a good amount of corrosion built up in it, I think it has a pinhole at the top I can gear slightly hiss when pressurized so I want to replace it before I get the engine. Who makes a good radiator at an affordable price? I know the local shop will want $500 to recore one so I'd just prefer to buy a new one since he's a hack anyhow. Id like another copper/brass radiator. I've seen LMC carries them and they seem cheap but I fear that low price is directly representing the quality? Aluminum might be cheaper since copper has went up so much over the last few years but I've read that the aluminum radiators don't cool as well with a mechanical fan and are designed for electric? Something about fin spacing? All I've ever had was copper/brass so I don't know about aluminum.
Thanks.
Posted via Mobile Device

[davepl]

I've been running the generic LMC replacement copper-brass unit and I'm fine with it, though my truck's temp creeps at idle in the summer (big block with AC running), I don't think that's the fault of the radiator.

On my Camaro I have a BeCool twin-Spal fan unit that I would recommend if stock isn't a big deal.

If money is less important than cooling, I'd go Ron Davis aluminum. No cheap but like a work of art.

[72oldblu]

My new 3 core aluminum rad keeps my cammed 350 cooler than the old 4 core I had..

[In The Ten Ring]

Going through this myself! I bought a Vista Pro copper brass 4 row but it's a might too tall.

I ordered a KKS Motorsports 3 row aluminum radiator last Thursday, I'm going to give it a shot. The Champion 3 row aluminum radiator is often used by members here, so I have been told.

I will get you some links to threads that discuss this closely.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=716129

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=715653

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...=1#post7579528

I can't seem to find the post from Grumpy Old Man concerning the Champion radiator. Champions and KKS are made by the same foreign company, according to the KKS sales rep. I didn't like where Champion's overflow outlet pointed, KKS comes with a radiator cap while the Champion's cap has to be ordered separately, and the Champion is $20.00 more expensive.

[ripper70]

I went with a champion 3 row and it works perfect and is pretty cheap imo.

[71GreenJunk]

I think the Champion radiator looks pretty good to me. Not sure if I should go ahead and opt for the 4 core. Doesn't usually get much more than 100 degrees where I currently live but I'm looking to relocate once I get my truck finished if I can get a job in a good shop and learn metal fabrication and hone my welding skills and get my certification. I love that price. Very affordable. I'm good with the aluminum, it's the plastic tank and aluminum core radiators I despise for their tendency to blow apart.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Z10]

I've been using this radiatorhttp://www.speedcooling.com/1967_1972_C10_Chevy_Truck_Aluminum_Radiator.html
for over 10k miles in West Texas heat with the a/c running and zero issues.

Here's some light reading on radiators and heat transfer.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/gener...rass-tech.html

More rows is not better. It's counter intuitive. Read and learn.

[71GreenJunk]

Originally Posted by Z10

I've been using this radiatorhttp://www.speedcooling.com/1967_1972_C10_Chevy_Truck_Aluminum_Radiator.html
for over 10k miles in West Texas heat with the a/c running and zero issues.

Here's some light reading on radiators and heat transfer.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/gener...rass-tech.html

More rows is not better. It's counter intuitive. Read and learn.

I really like the looks of the stamped tanks on that one. Looks almost factory. That's something I have been running that around in my head and suspected the same but wanted to confirm. Sounds like a good radiator. I don't have A/C and I do have a monster of a fan and a good shroud so that's even better that you're able to run A/C.
Posted via Mobile Device

[low70c10]

ended up getting a champion 4 core. quality looks good just waiting for my -20 an fittings to show up to make the lines

[TwoFiftyShifter]

I hope to be able to get time this week to install my new champion. Got the EC369 two row

[mcmlxix]

http://www.usradiator.com/radiators/...k.html?cat=663

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by ripper70

I went with a champion 3 row and it works perfect and is pretty cheap imo.

Ditto

[tommys72]

Bought my new one from oreillys, fit perfect and cost right at 2 hundred. Painted it black and havent had a problem with it since i put it in.

[1968aj]

I am looking for a new one myself. I want a aluminum with dual fans. if you look on ebay there are about a hundred different ones each claiming to be better than the others.i want to do away with the fan and clutch hope it will help with belt squealing.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

I installed it today. A bit wide for the stock mounts but everything else is great.

[In The Ten Ring]

I'm glad that's working for you......I hope my KKS fits at least as well.

What did you do with your overflow hose?

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

I'm glad that's working for you......I hope my KKS fits at least as well.

What did you do with your overflow hose?

I just hooked it up. Same as the old radiator.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by TwoFiftyShifter

I just hooked it up. Same as the old radiator.

Oh, I figured you had updated to an overflow tank of some sort but your truck may have had one already.

I should get the KKS this week. I'll try and post a pic.