I have a stock radiator but the look just isn't what I'm after, I've seen nice aluminum radiators for 56 F100 priced anywhere from $180-$600 they all look similar, 2 row good for up to 400hp engine (I'm running a 390 FE) from Radiator Express for ($180.00), Performance Cooling has a 3 row for $229.00 Jegs a 2 row for $175.00

Don

 

I have bought a couple cheap two row aluminum radiators from eBay and the vendor is in Phoenix. Oscar's Radiators.

They are two row 1" tube cores and fully welded. No epoxy. Been holding up for maybe 8 years or longer.

These are in 66 Mustangs with 5.0 HO engines and cooling well in Tucson heat. The stock 3 row brass radiators just didn't do it in the summer.

I took a chance buying them and so far so good. I did make sure they were welded and not epoxy holding core to tanks.

 

Quality varies of course. Do some searches and research the brands you are considering thoroughly. I use Champion aluminums in my fast Fords with great results. There are other reliable brands as well. Mishimota is one import brand I would avoid. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the affordable ones are all imported. And I think I would get a 3 core if you can for a 390.

 

In AZ, I have a real hard time believing a 2-row could cool a stock flathead! I don't know how the physical size of a mid-fifties radiator compares to a BonusBuilt, but I doubt its hugely larger. For a 390 in AZ (with A/C?) I'd be looking at 4-row radiators.

 

I missed the Arizona part. Does it ever get hot out there?

Modern aluminum radiators are pretty efficient but more info is probably needed for meaningful advice. What fan? Have a good shroud? Air Conditioned? Gonna drive in traffic regularly?

I suspect an aluminum three core aluminum might get it done, and an electric fan could save you if not. All that said I would be asking some Southwest Hot Rod Effie guys what they are actually running before I pulled the trigger. I do know a few off forum if you can't get that info here. Mid-Fifty F100 is based in AZ and would also know.

 

The 2 row aluminum is not a direct comparison to a 2 row brass radiator. The tubes are long and narrow. I think mine were 1" or better.

I also had a 2 row aluminum radiator from Be Cool. Big bucks and worked great to cool a supercharged Suburban I towed my boat with.

I did have shrouds and I prefer engine driven fans. I had big electric fans and they didn't cool enough in the summer. 16" on the Mustangs and dual 16" on the Suburban. Stock fans worked better in my case.

I have a high efficiency 4 row brass one cooling my Flathead now. Works great. Sounds like Don likes the look of the aluminum. I have had high end and cheap aluminum rads. Maybe I got lucky but, all worked fine and no failures.

 

I have a Champion in my 1969 Mustang and my 1951 F1.


I am VERY happy with the quality but the price is the best. Less than 200 bucks each.

 

I have to agree with above, I purchased a Champion 3 row for my 1951 F1, I was somewhat reluctant when I ordered it because of the low cost but it looked amazingly nice when it arrived, it runs right on the thermostat, It bolted into the factory holes and the shroud bolted to it without any modifications whatsoever.

 

I bought a 3 core aluminium no name brand from China a year or so ago. I took it to a radiator shop to have the inbuilt transmission cooler fittings modified to suit my old lines and radiator guy advised to buy an aftermarket transmission cooler as these cheapies weren't much good at cooling tranny's. So I did.
So far it has been great, transmission cooler and radiator work fine for me. Haven't really tested the heck out of it, mind, but it holds water, and that can only be good, yah?

 

I had a 2 core champion also in a 65 Mustang car ran the temp of the thermostat no matter of outside temp. The cores were about 1 inch long I bought it from Summit racing it was the Summit brand

 

I too have a Champion in my truck and am very happy with it.

 

I ordered a Champion through Radiator Express for $179.00 we'll see how it works, worse case scenario, add a couple fans. Can't beat the price. And should be here today!!
Don

 

Those rads that Eastwood were advertising sound interesting, they are a 3 pass design cross flow, not sure how they would fit our trucks but there is 3 different sizes. They weren't all that expensive either.

 

If you use an electric fan on an aluminum radiator watch how you mount it. The plastic ties that go through the radiator can cause damage. I have a 16" electric fan and the plastic tie mounts did the damage that you see in the picture after only 100 miles. I'm going to make a flat shroud to which I'll mount the fan. Pictures to follow after the new year.


Aluminum radiator damaged by electric fan mount after only 100 miles.

 

I got a Champion 3 row off Ebay 4 yrs and 15k miles ago. Works great! It cools a 460 .030 over with almost 500 hp. NOTE; I use the two speed ford taurus fan on hi. It never has gotten over 200 degrees sitting in rush hour. Typically runs 180 in normal stop and go. 180 cruising at 2500 rpms with fan off.