So, my radiator popped a pretty bad leak on the top end and is leaking coolant at a pretty good clip. I am going to replace the radiator and there are several different options but I need to understand the differences. The radiators from Oreilly are around $300 they are Murray radiators and have a Copper/Brass core. The ones from Autozone are the same price but have Aluminum cores. Then I found one from JC Whitney that is $120 and has an aluminum core and a plastic "end tank" (what is an end tank).

I would assume that the Copper/Brass unit from Oreilly is probably the way to go but why would the one from Whitney be so much cheaper? What is an "end Tank" and would I be taking a significant risk by getting the $120 unit as opposed to the more expensive ones?

Here are the links to oreilly and whitney:

Spectra Premium Replacement Radiator - JCWhitney

Murray 432194 - Radiator | O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

That JC one looks like it's got plastic end tanks...... I wouldn't even think about that one!



The Murray looks like an OE one.

 

Yeah, the whitney one has plastic end tank. What is the deal with that? Why should I not use a radiator with plastic end tank? Are they prone to failure?

 

I dont know about everyone else on here, but I have a tendency to break anything thats plastic lol.

 

I had to replace the original rad in my F150, witch was still perfectly fine, but had a hair line crack in the plastic end tank, and would leak once pressure builds...

 

yeah, think I will go with the copper/brass from Oreilly

 

i got my 100% alluminum rad for $300. it is made by sila radiators. quality radiator.

 

Ok here us the deal with the radiator delima, copper and brass are way better conductors so they are obviously a better material for a radiator. I replaced mine about a week ago so I have some insight into this topic. The tig welded aluminum ones with aluminum tanks are made in usa and will not rot like the copper and brass ones that have about a 15-20 life span due to the brass getting soft I went with the all aluminum radiator for quality however I have noticed a difference in the cooling, my truck will move the gague a small amount when I pin it going up a long grade that it never did before with the copper radiator. So go cooper if you are going to do a lot of hauling, go aluminum for price and longevity

 

not saying you are wrong, but your findings are the total opposite of what others have reported with quality allum rads.

 

I got 3 radiators from my trucks. Two of which are brand new(the 86 and the 84's are both new). If you want send me a PM.

 

Well turbo I wish you were right but my experience has been that the copper has better performance than the aluminum as far as I can tell.

 

in my expierience the copper doesnt last as long as the aluminum....but the copper keeps it cool better...

 

The "copper brass" onesfromo'reilly's ARE NOT copper brass they arealuminum and plastic, im stuck with one because i needed the truck,they said it was copper brass and it wasnt they looked deeper and cant get one.

 

Shop at Napa. That is all I have to say about that.

 

Shop at Napa. That is all I have to say about that. Did you at least get it for under 300?