Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FLYNAVY30 · 07-22-2013, 02:19 PM

My C20 with the big block runs pretty hot at highway speeds in the summer. Im thinking of flushing the entire system and upgrading to an aluminum radiator prior to my 1400 mile road trip this august. Anyone have a recommendation as far as radiator brand goes?

Thanks

*Mister-B* · 07-22-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30

My C20 with the big block runs pretty hot at highway speeds in the summer. Im thinking of flushing the entire system and upgrading to an aluminum radiator prior to my 1400 mile road trip this august. Anyone have a recommendation as far as radiator brand goes?

Thanks

I don't know that going from a nice steel radiator to an aluminum one is an upgrade. I'd flush the radiator, and check other areas of your cooling system and engine for explanations for it overheating.
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grancuda · 07-22-2013, 05:04 PM

Yes, if you are to get one, don't get a Champion, go with a Griffin or one of the better brands. I personally would have the one you have repaired.
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68Stepbed · 07-22-2013, 05:59 PM

This guy makes these in north GA. My next purchase will be from him. Of course, I'll be getting the LS swap version.

http://www.rndfabrication.com/C10middle.html

ole dollor · 07-22-2013, 06:35 PM

i got one off e-bay and it works great, ole dollor can idle all day long with the a/c on and stays cool, not sure of the brand , it may have been a champion. i also put a fan clutch and like a 7 blade fan on also.

71GeneralMotorsCorp · 07-22-2013, 06:57 PM

Mine has a griffin aluminum radiator.. It's pretty amazing. after romping on it all day in 100+ degree heat with 40% humidity, it still runs at around 170*.

gmillion1 · 07-22-2013, 07:38 PM

+1 on Champion. put one in about a 2 months ago. runs about 20 degrees cooler than with original.

vidman · 07-22-2013, 07:41 PM

I am using a Be-Cool but I think you would not have any issues with a Griffin. Two great rads..

*Mister-B* · 07-22-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71GeneralMotorsCorp

Mine has a griffin aluminum radiator.. It's pretty amazing. after romping on it all day in 100+ degree heat with 40% humidity, it still runs at around 170*.

Well, now you guys have me second guessing my opinion of the stock radiators.

How much did you pay, and was it a drop in replacement or did you have to fab something up to make it fit?
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PanelDeland · 07-22-2013, 07:56 PM

Questions first.
Do you have a shroud?
Is the rad you have bad?
Thermostat?
AC?
I would use a 4 row with shroud and a 160-180 T-stat and see what happens.I don't think there's much wrong with the original cooling system on these trucks and it should be up to a fairly mild BB and AC if the components are good.A new 4 row cost me $200 and the brackets cushions were another $30 or so.

71 super · 07-22-2013, 08:09 PM

I have both four row originals and an aluminum heavy duty, temps run about the same temp. For both. Either way is good option, be cool or griffin for aluminum.
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71GeneralMotorsCorp · 07-22-2013, 08:49 PM

My griffin was a drop in replacement to my 3 core. I still have my stock shroud on it, but it is going to come off soon to make way for a couple of cooling fans, The radiator keeps it cool enough, I just want to be sure it can handle whatever I throw at it.

grancuda · 07-22-2013, 08:55 PM

FYI, I had a Champion & the tubes are really small & clog easily. If you go Champion, make sure you have a really clean cooling system. I ended up going Griffin & have had 0 issues, could idle for hours in 90+ weather for hours on the PowerTour
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**derotoreut** · 07-22-2013, 08:57 PM

I have an aluminum radiator made by Wizard Cooling. Might right here in Western New York. They did an awesome job and I got a personal tour of their facility. Down to earth people and excellent product.

http://wizardcooling.com/1967-1972-c...minum-radiator

50mercfan · 07-22-2013, 10:04 PM

i have aluminum radiators in all my old cars. worth every penny. also, another thing i do in all of them is to use distilled water. you can buy it at the grocery store. it will drop the temp 10 to 15 degrees. it has a higher boiling point than tap water. try it.

Expat_dude · 07-22-2013, 11:03 PM

Here is the one I went with, very nice unit
http://www.entropyrad.com/index.php?...d&productId=14

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07-22-2013, 02:19 PM	#1
FLYNAVY30 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 592	Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? My C20 with the big block runs pretty hot at highway speeds in the summer. Im thinking of flushing the entire system and upgrading to an aluminum radiator prior to my 1400 mile road trip this august. Anyone have a recommendation as far as radiator brand goes? Thanks

07-22-2013, 05:04 PM	#3
grancuda Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central OK Posts: 396	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? Yes, if you are to get one, don't get a Champion, go with a Griffin or one of the better brands. I personally would have the one you have repaired. Posted via Mobile Device

07-22-2013, 05:59 PM	#4
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? This guy makes these in north GA. My next purchase will be from him. Of course, I'll be getting the LS swap version. http://www.rndfabrication.com/C10middle.html __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

07-22-2013, 06:35 PM	#5
ole dollor Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Anton, Texas Posts: 2,364	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? i got one off e-bay and it works great, ole dollor can idle all day long with the a/c on and stays cool, not sure of the brand , it may have been a champion. i also put a fan clutch and like a 7 blade fan on also.

07-22-2013, 06:57 PM	#6
71GeneralMotorsCorp Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 266	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? Mine has a griffin aluminum radiator.. It's pretty amazing. after romping on it all day in 100+ degree heat with 40% humidity, it still runs at around 170*. __________________ "Repetition penetrates even the dullest of minds"

07-22-2013, 07:38 PM	#7
gmillion1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: nc Posts: 11	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? +1 on Champion. put one in about a 2 months ago. runs about 20 degrees cooler than with original.

07-22-2013, 07:41 PM	#8
vidman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Fitchburg,Mass Posts: 737	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? I am using a Be-Cool but I think you would not have any issues with a Griffin. Two great rads.. __________________ 62 Willys 4wd Pickup : 72 C-10 swb 504 stroker 09 Taco 3" lift 33" tires: 90 K-5 blazer (plow truck): RIP Ross Little brother

07-22-2013, 07:56 PM	#10
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? Questions first. Do you have a shroud? Is the rad you have bad? Thermostat? AC? I would use a 4 row with shroud and a 160-180 T-stat and see what happens.I don't think there's much wrong with the original cooling system on these trucks and it should be up to a fairly mild BB and AC if the components are good.A new 4 row cost me $200 and the brackets cushions were another $30 or so. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

07-22-2013, 08:09 PM	#11
71 super Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canton North carolina Posts: 3,079	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? I have both four row originals and an aluminum heavy duty, temps run about the same temp. For both. Either way is good option, be cool or griffin for aluminum. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 67 blue step side- bb 68 gold and white swb cst anniversary 68 custom swb hot rod Ls swap 69 swb cst 6 cylinder/ overdrive 69 black/black cst bb swb 70 orange and white cst Canada built truck swb bb 71 black and white super swb bb 71 red and white super swb 72 green and white super swb 4x4 62 nova wagon 400 series Ls swapped 68 Camaro 327/4 speed- 1 owner, original paint 66 Volkswagen bettle 69 auto stick Volkswagen Beetle

07-22-2013, 08:49 PM	#12
71GeneralMotorsCorp Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 266	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? My griffin was a drop in replacement to my 3 core. I still have my stock shroud on it, but it is going to come off soon to make way for a couple of cooling fans, The radiator keeps it cool enough, I just want to be sure it can handle whatever I throw at it. __________________ "Repetition penetrates even the dullest of minds"

07-22-2013, 08:55 PM	#13
grancuda Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central OK Posts: 396	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? FYI, I had a Champion & the tubes are really small & clog easily. If you go Champion, make sure you have a really clean cooling system. I ended up going Griffin & have had 0 issues, could idle for hours in 90+ weather for hours on the PowerTour Posted via Mobile Device

07-22-2013, 08:57 PM	#14
derotoreut Roto Reuter thats the name... Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Darien, NY Posts: 1,853	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? I have an aluminum radiator made by Wizard Cooling. Might right here in Western New York. They did an awesome job and I got a personal tour of their facility. Down to earth people and excellent product. http://wizardcooling.com/1967-1972-c...minum-radiator Attached Images __________________ ~ Dan My 70 K10 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=782232 My 71 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651394 1970 SWB Fleet K10 4X4, 5.3L LM7, 4L60E, Dakota Digital RTX, Vintage Air, Ididit tilt 1971 SWB Fleet C10 - Original SWB Arizona truck, new custom restoration project "Kick out your motor and drive while you're still alive - kick it out!" - Heart 1977

07-22-2013, 10:04 PM	#15
50mercfan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: henderson ky Posts: 196	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? i have aluminum radiators in all my old cars. worth every penny. also, another thing i do in all of them is to use distilled water. you can buy it at the grocery store. it will drop the temp 10 to 15 degrees. it has a higher boiling point than tap water. try it.

07-22-2013, 11:03 PM	#16
Expat_dude Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Brookhaven, Ms/ Sakhalin Russia Posts: 370	Re: Anyone upgraded to an aluminum radiator? Here is the one I went with, very nice unit http://www.entropyrad.com/index.php?...d&productId=14 Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1970 Chevy swb, project UGHH! 1987 Grand National http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u.../1970%20Chevy/



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