Aluminum Radiators

37 chief · May 17, 2021

I need a radiator for my 65 Ford F100 pickup. Aluminum radiators are about the same price as brass ones. They are probably both made in china. Any thoughts? Stan

1948CaseVAI · May 17, 2021

This is from Griffin Radiator Co. (griffinrad.com). They manufacture radiators in Piedmont SC:

"An aluminum radiator does cool better than a copper brass radiator. For example, an aluminum radiator with 2 rows of 1" tubes is equivalent to a copper brass radiator with 5 rows of 1/2" tubes. Aluminum provides high efficiency, is lightweight, and has a longer life compared to copper brass."

JMOR · May 17, 2021

(quoted from post at 14:46:05 05/17/21) This is from Griffin Radiator Co. (griffinrad.com). They manufacture radiators in Piedmont SC:

"An aluminum radiator does cool better than a copper brass radiator. For example, an aluminum radiator with 2 rows of 1" tubes is equivalent to a copper brass radiator with 5 rows of 1/2" tubes. Aluminum provides high efficiency, is lightweight, and has a longer life compared to copper brass."

ost of that might be true, but my experience with both does not speak well for aluminum..if you do go aluminum, you best keep up with proper anti-freeze for corrosion protection purposes!

rlp in Co. · May 17, 2021

If you get a leak can you solder it up?

kencombs · May 17, 2021

I've experienced two types of aluminum radiator cores. One has epoxied in place tubes,the other has welded. Same with tanks, some have plastic tanks that are held on with crimps and sealed with a rubber gasket. Some have welded on aluminum tanks.

Wide range of prices, take your pick and chances.

timcasbolt · May 17, 2021

(quoted from post at 14:27:11 05/17/21) I need a radiator for my 65 Ford F100 pickup. Aluminum radiators are about the same price as brass ones. They are probably both made in china. Any thoughts? Stan

've bought a couple of those $100 aluminum radiators off ebay. All welded construction, very nice. Just pick one the size you need with the right size inlet and outlet. You will probably have to improvise the mounting.

Steve@Advance · May 17, 2021

If you care about the looks, a brass one will show more originality.

Otherwise, not a lot of difference in the life.

The way they make the brass price competitive is thinning everything down. Don't expect to get the same life as the factory one.

To truly keep it original, take the original and have it recored, if you can find a real radiator shop anymore. It will be expensive!

Which ever way you go, take the heater hose loose and thoroughly flush the system with the engine running at fast idle and the garden hose over flowing the radiator. Do this before installing the new one. Drain as much from the block as you can, and refill it with 50/50 premix or full strength diluted with distilled water. For aluminum be sure the antifreeze is rated for aluminum.

moresmoke · May 17, 2021

Might be able to with some of those wonder rods.

caterpillar guy · May 18, 2021

IF aluminum is so good why did I see so many trucks setting in truckstops in the mornings with antifreeze all over the ground and the tanks split or tubes cracked. I would not touch an aluminum rad with your 10 foot pole. Run don't walk. And there is little for fixing you can do with them. Keep the old copper rad.

TomA in CA · May 18, 2021

If you are anywhere near the ocean
copper, brass will eat out fast,
aluminum not so fast.

Aluminum Radiators

37 chief

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1948CaseVAI

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JMOR

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rlp in Co.

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kencombs

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timcasbolt

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Steve@Advance

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moresmoke

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caterpillar guy

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TomA in CA

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