Is this a decent radiator

[craigg1]

Looking to replace my old radiator since im replacing my engine. Its a small block, will be non-A/C for a while, but within a year hopefully will be adding A/C. Not up to par with knowing a lot about radiators so wanting to see if this radiator is worth purchasing....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201069728994...MakeTrack=true

[88Stanger]

its not name brand but i cannot see why not. i paid alot more for mine and some say you get what you paid for, but i guess it depends on what you are doing with the truck, how much risk you are willing to have.

[46stude]

I bought an eBay aluminum cheapy, but not from that particular seller. Less than 500 miles, & it started leaking at the tubes/tank joint in one area. Bought it before my truck was driveable, & my one year warranty was already up. So I screwed myself.

Ended up getting the replacement plastic/aluminum radiator from O'Reillys. Wish I'd have done that to start with.

[Possmguts]

Glad I ran into this post... I hope you did NOT click the buy now button...
I JUST bought and received this EXACT radiator...
Its very poor quality. Its twisted and will not even mount up for one thing. I am nowhere near starting my truck.. but I already know i'm not going to use this POS

I hope I got you in time.

[AnotherWs6]

I bought the radiator below about 3 years ago for my 99 Silverado. It fit great and has held up great. My friends and I were very impressed with the quality. It's a little more than the one you are looking at but I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400525660212...649&rmvSB=true

[craigg1]

I ended up buying a Champion CC369 after reading some reviews by other board members. Total after shipping was $199.95

[davepl]

I've heard spooky things about cheap radiators with respect to the seal between the tanks and the tubes. I forget the specifics, like they should be soldered but cheap ones are epoxied, or vice versa.

Now whether that only applies to $1500 Ron Davis radiators or to the rads we'd put in our trucks, I don't know. I just know shiny aluminum look doesn't necessarily mean high quality construction.

[AnotherWs6]

^^^^^True. But some things from China are actually made well. Welds on mine are top notch. Ron Davis can sell to guys with money to burn.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by AnotherWs6

Ron Davis can sell to guys with money to burn.

Sure a hand-TIG'd radiator build in California by a guy who only builds high end radiators for a living will cost more than a radiator made by a child in China who's moonlighting from the iPhone factory.

Spending money on quality is a fair exchange. Spending money to be seen spending money, now that I can get behind disparaging. It sounds like you're saying the quality is the same, and if it is (I have no idea, never seen the China unit) then it'd be silly to spend more. I gotta believe there's a difference based on the RD units vs. my BeCool.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by craigg1

I ended up buying a Champion CC369 after reading some reviews by other board members. Total after shipping was $199.95

This is the one I used, very pleased with it.

[dirish]

I bought a RND fabrication radiator. It cost mid range, and took several weeks to get ( I was informed at purchase ). A beautiful
Radiator, and sparky was great. I did have a issue, but replacement was here in 5 days. He says they build each one to
Order, he said "I'm having a new one one made for you, to save time. I will test yours as time becomes available " I was pleased,
And am to this date. 72 K5, 4x4, air, th350.

[davepl]

Apparently he does stock some of the more common ones, like 69 Camaro, but our trucks are still build-to-order I think.

[blazercrazy70]

I bought an RND and have had good luck so far I got the fan set up with it for my LS swap.

[72 K20]

I found the little brother to the CC369,,, The EC369 2 row,,, $145,, says it will cool 550HP.

Is anyone running this ?

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

This is the one I used, very pleased with it.

Can you sent the specks on the Champion Rad. who you got it from ect.ect. The past owners of my truck have put in a 73+ and up Rad and you know what that is with the lower spout coming out straight instead of kicking upwards. thanks

[dflarsen77]

Champion's website page with the radiators for our trucks:
http://www.championradiators.com/Che...r-V8-1967-1972

Then just google the model and you'll get a bunch of results. Or put in the name on eBay.

[dsy1]

I got this one from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0073MEBS0...I1EHK8B41L34X8

Amazon's return policy is good in case you have trouble with it, mine is doing great after a couple of years, no issues.

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by dflarsen77

Champion's website page with the radiators for our trucks:
http://www.championradiators.com/Che...r-V8-1967-1972

Then just google the model and you'll get a bunch of results. Or put in the name on eBay.

thanks if it was for me

[Already Gone]

While we are on the subject of radiators. I have a 72 C10 with factory A/C and the truck is original. I notice LeddZepp says he bought the Champion CC369 Radiator for his truck which I am sure has A/C. That rad is a 3 core as is mine in my 72. I notice on my truck and I'm sure it works for all trucks that there is room to mount a 4 core rad. What did they use 4 core rads on in these trucks if A/C trucks only used 3 core rads. I'm thinking of replacing my 3 core rad and always wanting to upgrade and improve things on my truck would there be any benefit to installing the 4 core rad.

[AnotherWs6]

Please keep in mind that the number of cores is not always the best way to judge a radiator. The size of the cores varies. A lot of the modern performance radiators have two, large cores rather than 4 smaller. The depth of the radiator is more telling.

As for factory replacements, I would have to assume that a 4 core would be for an automatic big block truck.

[SparkyRnD]

Yes, we do build them to order. Since we put the inlet / outlet wherever a customer needs at no extra charge, there are too many variables and would lead to us sitting on inventory. I prefer to build each as they are ordered to keep costs down, and keep space available in the shop. Ours do take time to make, but then again it is a hand-made unit here in the USA using domestically sourced materials. Let me know if we can help.