All Aluminum Radiator

[LinkbeltOE]

I'm looking for an aluminum radiator and was wondering which one anyone has bought and how they liked it?

[Indian113]

Speedway has a good selection of aluminum radiators,also decent prices.

[markeb01]

I bought a $500+ Be Cool radiator from Summit about 10 years ago. It was amazing, when the 160 degree thermostat opened, the temp would drop to 155. You could watch it cycle on the gauge, cooling was fantastic.

Unfortunately, it also leaked from day one. Since the truck was my daily driver I took it to a local radiator guy for a quick fix, and he said it looked like a piece of junk and didn’t want to be responsible for working on it. No way of knowing if that was because he was brilliant, or had no experience with aluminum radiators. Regardless, I sent it back for warranty repair and had him recore my 58 Impala radiator to get me back on the road, and it’s been working fine ever since. Once the Be Cool came back repaired I never had confidence to go through the effort to put it back in.

Spending a ton of money won’t necessarily provide a superior result, but from an efficiency standpoint it was the best I've ever experienced. Not sure that was so much a reflection of the brand, as the type of radiator. There's endless debate about which is better - copper/brass or aluminum, but IMO it's hard to beat the strength and flow of the huge tubes in an aluminum radiator. It's been the standard in big rigs for decades. I've read many threads where guys used cheap Summit aluminum radiators with good results.

[TR65]

Linkbelt,

I bought this Champion on Ebay ($210+$30 shipping):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Row...Q5fAccessories

This radiator is stock size and mounts with the stock system with a few minor mods.

I am running a 6.0 L LS2 (390 HP), 190 thermostat. I am running twin electric fans. The engine runs 190-193. The radiator cools so well that the fans never come on unless I just sit and idle for 5 min. or so (that is in high 90's South Carolina weather). Then one fan comes on for a minute, drops the temp 10 deg and stops.

I am very happy with it so far. I am adding air conditioning so I want to see how bad that hurts the cooling.



TR

[Clyde65]

I have the same one that TR65 has, it does real nice and fits just like original, no "making it fit" required. I have the LS motor also and it cools real well even when I have the AC on and at a stop in 105degree heat, then it goes to about 200-205, but the ls motors run hotter than a GEN I too.

[SCOTI]

How do you guys like the tanks on the top vs. the side like later model builds? Seems I remember reading the side tank arrangement is more efficient?

[Clyde65]

IDK, I have never had the side tank radiators, I doubt they would fit in my truck, there is only 26inches or so worth of room where the radiator sits. I see on the 6?-72 truck that the side tanks can be used on.

[markeb01]

The Be Cool model I have is a crossflow with the side tanks. I have also read they are more efficient, however in my engine compartment the lower outlet sat above the top of the frame, making it very difficult to find a lower hose that would work. Ultimately I strapped a second hose over the first to prevent abrasion, because it was an interference fit against the upper corner of the frame. It looked lousy but worked. One of the copper flex hoses might work fine, but it would be easier and cheaper to use a downflow radiator with the outlet in the stock location.

[LinkbeltOE]

TR65,
That is the radiator I bought with the duel 12" fans so I'm glad it has worked out for you and you're giving it positive feedback.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by TR65

Linkbelt,

I bought this Champion on Ebay ($210+$30 shipping):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-Row...Q5fAccessories

This radiator is stock size and mounts with the stock system with a few minor mods.

I am running a 6.0 L LS2 (390 HP), 190 thermostat. I am running twin electric fans. The engine runs 190-193. The radiator cools so well that the fans never come on unless I just sit and idle for 5 min. or so (that is in high 90's South Carolina weather). Then one fan comes on for a minute, drops the temp 10 deg and stops.

I am very happy with it so far. I am adding air conditioning so I want to see how bad that hurts the cooling.



TR

Wow, they have an excellent feedback rating & 100% satisfaction garrantee (whatever that's worth these days). Is there a reason you opted for using different fans vs. what they offer (single 2500cfm 16" fan w/shroud combo)?

[Clyde65]

Mine came with the dual fans, my dad also bought one for his Gen I 350.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

Mine came with the dual fans, my dad also bought one for his Gen I 350.

??
I didn't see a dual fan option when I looked @ the initial 63-66 listings.

[Clyde65]

I cant find it now either, I got it from Reliable radiators, IDK, maybe they done offer the dual fans anymore, try calling them and see if they do.

[LinkbeltOE]

Clyde,
I just bought mine yesturday and it was the last one offered with duel fans.
Scoti,
The 2 12" are 2800 cfm.

[LinkbeltOE]

Scoti,
Also is was cheaper and I'm going to build my own shroud.

[LinkbeltOE]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[TR65]

SCOTI,

I had dual fans on my old radiator so I just needed the radiator. I use the SPAL fans. I like duals so I could set up the computer to turn one on for low cool and two on for high cool. It has never had to call for two fans. Power usage is lower that way also. As I said, the fans never come on except for extended idle.

TR

[LinkbeltOE]

TR65,
Did your stock lower retainer and support pads (it's the U shaped brackets at the bottom of the radiator) work with the new radiator?

[Clyde65]

on mine they fit perfectly

[TR65]

I had to trim the U brackets and I also trimmed the rubber isolators with a side grinder. The aluminum radiator tanks don't have as big a radius as the brass tanks did so the rubber was too tight. Minor mods though. Here are some pics.

TR

[SCOTI]

I just went back & reviewed that link again and, the link shows only dual fan options now. I couldn't find dual fans before, now I can't find single fan options. That's weird for back to back (days of the week) searching.

[LinkbeltOE]

SCOTI,
Just give the guy a call and he'll hook you up. He's a nice guy Michael I think. My radiator and fans will be here next week.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by LinkbeltOE

SCOTI,
Just give the guy a call and he'll hook you up. He's a nice guy Michael I think. My radiator and fans will be here next week.

That was my plan. It was just weird that one day there was a single fan w/shroud option & then the next its dual fan w/o shroud option.

Are you guys opting for dual fans & no shroud? I know I've read that even electric fans require shrouds for optimum heat transfer.

[LinkbeltOE]

I am making my own shroud out of aluminum
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[66GMC-Canuck]

I am running the Be Cool cross-flow radiator in my 66 GMC had it in 3 months and zero problems with overheating or leaking. I am running it with the metal flex hoses and as stated it runs cool all the time. I have a 350 SBC and the old radiator just was not keeping up. Put this in and was 35 degrees cooler from the get go. Had to make adjustments to fit it in but its been good so far knock on wood. And as stated above its pricey.