radiator question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

knuckledragger · 01-09-2011, 08:13 PM

has anyone used one of the ebay aluminum radiators?The price is right.I am worried about quality and the ability to keep my bbc cool.Any feedback would be great.
Dan

chillware · 02-21-2011, 11:45 PM

I'm curious on this too.. anyone have any info on the cheap ebay aluminum radiators?

Rannos · 02-22-2011, 02:30 AM

I just installed one in my 64. It looked good out of the box but when I installed it it was tweaked a little (likely from shipping). I am trying to get my truck on the road for a car show in a week so I installed after checking it out for leaks. Just to make sure it didn't leak I filled it with water and ran 30psi air pressure in it and capped everything and let it sit over night and it didn't leak a drop. I haven't got to test it out driving but I had my truck idling for 15-20 minutes with one 14" electric fan blowing and it never got over 150 on the gauge. Hopefully I will have my truck on the road this weekend and I can let ya'll know more.

**Clyde65** · 02-22-2011, 10:53 AM

I have one in my truck, my dad also has one in his Crew Cab, both work very well.

knuckledragger · 02-22-2011, 11:03 AM

I ended up buying a 3 row brass from rock auto for less money.$171 shipped.I am very happy with it.The aluminum radiator would not look right for what I am doing with my truck.It is good to hear that the ebay radiators work well.

DLOE65 · 02-22-2011, 01:04 PM

I would like to know as well, I made a post about this but didn't get any solid answers either.
Posted via Mobile Device

**Bugeyev8** · 02-22-2011, 01:39 PM

I just installed one in my 62 this week, bought it from rodpartsdealer on ebay 135.99 including the shipping, great seller who took time to make sure I was pleased, after Fed X ruined 3 of them UPS got me one that was ok, I ordered it before Christmas and just got the replacment, it looks like a quality unit but the lower hose is a pain to deal with and if you have an early truck 60-63 the radiator mounts will have to be made

I will post more on my build thread after I get it full of water and make sure everything is ok

chillware · 02-22-2011, 01:40 PM

awesome, looking forward to the pics.. thanks for the info!

**TR65** · 02-22-2011, 10:10 PM

I run the Champion 3 row with my 6.0L LS2. Works very well. Fan never comes on unless I idle for 5 min. or so.

TR

chopper john · 02-22-2011, 11:03 PM

i have a champion three row in my 60, works perfect no problems

towersddg9 · 02-22-2011, 11:23 PM

Champion 3 row, worked great no problems, I have the truck in resto now

bobcostas · 03-01-2011, 06:00 PM

hey towersddg9 and TR65,

Did those mounting brackets come with your radiator, or did you fab them up?

**Clyde65** · 03-01-2011, 06:08 PM

Those are the stock mounts. Mine is also Champion.

bobcostas · 03-01-2011, 06:45 PM

My truck doesn't have that bracket, and i cant seem to find them anywhere on the interwebs. Maybe i'm looking in the wrong place.

**Clyde65** · 03-01-2011, 07:02 PM

you do have the one for the hood stud right? I may be able to find one, unless your in a hurry, I have to ask around.

Big Fenders · 03-01-2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckledragger

I ended up buying a 3 row brass from rock auto for less money.$171 shipped.I am very happy with it.The aluminum radiator would not look right for what I am doing with my truck.It is good to hear that the ebay radiators work well.

Brass???

**Captainfab** · 03-02-2011, 01:15 AM

The original type radiators were constructed with brass tanks and a copper core.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Fenders

Brass???

Rannos · 03-02-2011, 02:46 AM

Now that I have driven mine a little I am more impressed with the champion radiator. I have a 195 thermostat and as soon as the temp gets to 195 and the stat opens it drops down to 165-170 and stays there till the stat closes again. I have yet to drive my truck in stop and go traffic so not sure how well it will do there and I plan to change to a 180 stat before I put many more miles on it.

TopFuel1966 · 03-02-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcostas

My truck doesn't have that bracket, and i cant seem to find them anywhere on the interwebs. Maybe i'm looking in the wrong place.

I put one of those on Ebay last year. No takers. Still got it.

biohazardbill · 04-08-2011, 09:21 PM

Are these the champion radiators you guys are using?

CC284

They say you can upgrade to 2 12" fans. Is there a better benefit of the 2 12" as opposed to the 1 16"?

**TR65** · 04-08-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biohazardbill

Are these the champion radiators you guys are using?

CC284

They say you can upgrade to 2 12" fans. Is there a better benefit of the 2 12" as opposed to the 1 16"?

Bill,

That is the one I am running. I wouldn't mount the fan thru the radiator like it is shown. Too likely to damage the tubes over time.

It really cools my 6.0 well.

TR

Fabian · 04-09-2011, 04:42 AM

Hey,...

I also would like to buy a new radiator for an LS2 conversion ... are there any alternatives to the Champion ones ?

Fabian

biohazardbill · 04-09-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR65

Bill,

That is the one I am running. I wouldn't mount the fan thru the radiator like it is shown. Too likely to damage the tubes over time.

It really cools my 6.0 well.

TR

How is yours mounted?

**TR65** · 04-09-2011, 09:47 PM

I made a frame using 1-1/2" aluminum angle that mounts to the original fan shroud holes on the radiator support. I used 2 12" SPAL fans and they came mounted with a shroud that bolted to my frame. Nothing touching the radiator.

TR

01-09-2011, 08:13 PM	#1
knuckledragger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hutto,Texas!! Posts: 160	radiator question has anyone used one of the ebay aluminum radiators?The price is right.I am worried about quality and the ability to keep my bbc cool.Any feedback would be great. Dan __________________ 65 c-10 swb,bbw,step,402/t350,sold!! 1979 c10 Silverado,250,auto,gonna have a 3/5 drop,and twice pipes!Sold Bought the wife a 84 gmc short step

02-21-2011, 11:45 PM	#2
chillware Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 247	Re: radiator question I'm curious on this too.. anyone have any info on the cheap ebay aluminum radiators? __________________ My build thread: '66 Chevy

02-22-2011, 02:30 AM	#3
Rannos Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Caney, Texas Posts: 356	Re: radiator question I just installed one in my 64. It looked good out of the box but when I installed it it was tweaked a little (likely from shipping). I am trying to get my truck on the road for a car show in a week so I installed after checking it out for leaks. Just to make sure it didn't leak I filled it with water and ran 30psi air pressure in it and capped everything and let it sit over night and it didn't leak a drop. I haven't got to test it out driving but I had my truck idling for 15-20 minutes with one 14" electric fan blowing and it never got over 150 on the gauge. Hopefully I will have my truck on the road this weekend and I can let ya'll know more.

02-22-2011, 10:53 AM	#4
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,541	Re: radiator question I have one in my truck, my dad also has one in his Crew Cab, both work very well. __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

02-22-2011, 11:03 AM	#5
knuckledragger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hutto,Texas!! Posts: 160	Re: radiator question I ended up buying a 3 row brass from rock auto for less money.$171 shipped.I am very happy with it.The aluminum radiator would not look right for what I am doing with my truck.It is good to hear that the ebay radiators work well. __________________ 65 c-10 swb,bbw,step,402/t350,sold!! 1979 c10 Silverado,250,auto,gonna have a 3/5 drop,and twice pipes!Sold Bought the wife a 84 gmc short step

02-22-2011, 01:04 PM	#6
DLOE65 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 525	Re: radiator question I would like to know as well, I made a post about this but didn't get any solid answers either. Posted via Mobile Device

02-22-2011, 01:39 PM	#7
Bugeyev8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Leandro, Ca 94577 Posts: 854	Re: radiator question I just installed one in my 62 this week, bought it from rodpartsdealer on ebay 135.99 including the shipping, great seller who took time to make sure I was pleased, after Fed X ruined 3 of them UPS got me one that was ok, I ordered it before Christmas and just got the replacment, it looks like a quality unit but the lower hose is a pain to deal with and if you have an early truck 60-63 the radiator mounts will have to be made I will post more on my build thread after I get it full of water and make sure everything is ok

02-22-2011, 01:40 PM	#8
chillware Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 247	Re: radiator question awesome, looking forward to the pics.. thanks for the info! __________________ My build thread: '66 Chevy Last edited by chillware; 02-22-2011 at 01:41 PM.

02-22-2011, 10:10 PM	#9
TR65 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 873	Re: radiator question I run the Champion 3 row with my 6.0L LS2. Works very well. Fan never comes on unless I idle for 5 min. or so. TR Attached Images __________________ 1965 C10 SWB Fleet Two owner LS2 Swap Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=413880

02-22-2011, 11:03 PM	#10
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: radiator question i have a champion three row in my 60, works perfect no problems

02-22-2011, 11:23 PM	#11
towersddg9 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 246	Re: radiator question Champion 3 row, worked great no problems, I have the truck in resto now Attached Images

03-01-2011, 06:00 PM	#12
bobcostas Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 104	Re: radiator question hey towersddg9 and TR65, Did those mounting brackets come with your radiator, or did you fab them up? __________________ '64 Corvair Ragtop '66 C10 Stepside "The oxen may be slow, but the Earth is patient"

03-01-2011, 06:08 PM	#13
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,541	Re: radiator question Those are the stock mounts. Mine is also Champion. __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

03-01-2011, 06:45 PM	#14
bobcostas Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 104	Re: radiator question My truck doesn't have that bracket, and i cant seem to find them anywhere on the interwebs. Maybe i'm looking in the wrong place. __________________ '64 Corvair Ragtop '66 C10 Stepside "The oxen may be slow, but the Earth is patient"

03-01-2011, 07:02 PM	#15
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,541	Re: radiator question you do have the one for the hood stud right? I may be able to find one, unless your in a hurry, I have to ask around. __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*



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03-02-2011, 02:46 AM	#18
Rannos Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Caney, Texas Posts: 356	Re: radiator question Now that I have driven mine a little I am more impressed with the champion radiator. I have a 195 thermostat and as soon as the temp gets to 195 and the stat opens it drops down to 165-170 and stays there till the stat closes again. I have yet to drive my truck in stop and go traffic so not sure how well it will do there and I plan to change to a 180 stat before I put many more miles on it.

04-08-2011, 09:21 PM	#20
biohazardbill Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Forsyth, Ga Posts: 1,012	Re: radiator question Are these the champion radiators you guys are using? CC284 They say you can upgrade to 2 12" fans. Is there a better benefit of the 2 12" as opposed to the 1 16"?

04-09-2011, 04:42 AM	#22
Fabian Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 381	Re: radiator question Hey,... I also would like to buy a new radiator for an LS2 conversion ... are there any alternatives to the Champion ones ? Fabian

04-09-2011, 09:47 PM	#24
TR65 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 873	Re: radiator question I made a frame using 1-1/2" aluminum angle that mounts to the original fan shroud holes on the radiator support. I used 2 12" SPAL fans and they came mounted with a shroud that bolted to my frame. Nothing touching the radiator. TR Attached Images __________________ 1965 C10 SWB Fleet Two owner LS2 Swap Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=413880

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