looks like i also have a radiator leak among other repair issues. plastic tank radiators are 120-150; metal tank radiators 220-260.

opinions on adequacy of plastic tank? i dont use the truck hard or daily, mostly hauling stuff 5 or 10 miles on average

 

I have owned a 94 and 95 and drove a 92 company truck for 4 years and never had an issue with the plastic tanks. The 94 had over 200k and my 95 just turned 231k. I did have issues with other plastic tanks (Jeep) but I would have no problem going to the plastic end tanks if mine ever need replacing.
regards
rikard

 

I replaced my factory radiator at around 64k miles on the odometer. I replaced it with a Modine brand with the same plastic tank as the original. The truck now has over 210K on it and haven't had an issue with the radiator......yet.

 

What they said... never had a problem with a plstic tanked one that wasnt 8-10 years old.

 

I replaced the original radiator with an older style one. It only lasted a few years and the truck ran warmer. Its had a factory type aluminum and plastic one for 5 years now, and its staying this way.

 

I always liked the copper tanks b/c you could get them soldered up if they sprung a leak. The plastic ones have to be retanked and it generally costs about half of what a new radiator runs. However, the guys at my local rediator shop swear up and down that the aluminum radiators cool better. Due to the high cost of copper and brass I decided to go with a plastic and aluminum for my Bronco even though a brass and copper 4 row unit came out of it. Again the radiator shop guys swear up and down that this one will cool better.

 

late update, i got a Spectra Premium 2 row aluminum/plastic tank at auto zone, about $150, was essentially an exact drop in fit on my 87 250 w/ 302

 

I found an alum radiator on eBay just last week for 175 shipped.
3 core all alum radiator drop in fit. I have a 56000 mile 1990 truck that does not need a radiator.... But it deserves one. So I'm gonna get one for it.
I put one in my old 460 truck a few years back. Was only 150 then. Never had an issue with the cheap eBay one.

 

Yes aluminum is a better heat conductor than copper/brass. That's why most electronic's heatsinks are aluminum.

I too have resoldered my all copper/brass radiator a few times, and will be pulling it out in the near future to fix another leak. I did try that plastic weld on a plastic tank radiator once, and never again will even think about trying again.

 

Had an 87 f150 with the 4 row copper radiator. Currently had a 89 f150 with a 2 row aluminum radiator with plastic tanks. Never had a problem with either.

the 89 runs hotter, but its EFI. My 87 was carbed.