Well, I spent the weekend trying to improve and quiet my 79 4x4 w/ the 351M. I had a mechanic point out to me that the alternator, PS pump, water pump and fuel pump were all noisy. So I replaced the all but the water pump. I took it for a test drive, had the oil changed. All seemed better. I definitely needed a fuel pump. I realized that I'd forgotten to put the spacer in-between the block and the alternator as I saw it lying on the ground after I'd moved the truck. So I endeavored to reinstall the alternator properly. I ended up dropping my ratchet between the radiator and the grill. The socket nicked enough of a little fin that it broke a tube in the radiator which began squirting on my leg.

So I'm thinking I'll do what I did a few years ago and just buy a new radiator. I got some sticker shock when I hear prices in upward of 400-500 from a radiator shop.

I'm seeing many aftermarket replacement radiators on Ebay that are aluminum. Any suggestions of avoiding spending too much money, or buying a problem radiator?

 

As the saying goes, I resemble that remark. I dropped a fan once and punctured a radiator tube. I rinsed it with fresh water, dried it, filled it with epoxy and pinched it off. I still did not trust it for extended use and got a new radiator. For a temporary repair pinch and epoxy is OK, for long term use ?.

For a Dent, AZ offers replacement "3 tube" radiators for $250 ish. They also offer "2 tube" radiators at lower cost but I would skip those as cooling is probably marginal at best. I have the AZ 3 tube on my '78/400 and it is just enough for hot days and heavy load. Temp creeps up a but no overheat or boil. Champion brand aluminum 3 or 4 core are supposed to be good but I'd like to hear other's experience.

 

I have had a champion 4 row in my truck for a year with no problems.