Here is a company making direct replacement aluminum radiators. I don't know how to put a direct link in but here is the Ebay# 260283677258

 

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Much better cooling with the aluminum, also some weight savings, it's not as structurally sound as brass/copper and may distort easier under stress, and it will get damaged much easier by flying debris, e.g. rocks, sticks, etc. but aluminum is superior for the most part.

 

Link to auction: eBay Motors: 1978-1979 FORD BRONCO ALL ALUMINUM RADIATOR (item 260283677258 end time Sep-11-08 20:48:15 PDT)

Link to retailer also offering it: 1968-1974 Ford F-250 Pickup - Silla Radiator

Part Number: 9189AA

 

Thats the first aluminum direct replacement I've ever seen, so I figured I'd post it.

 

I think one would have to figure out a way to rubber mount it as flex will be a major issue. Look at all the newer vehicles with alum. radiators, they are rubber isolated to prevent vibration cracking the shell. I don't know about the rest of you but my truck vibrates.

 

Brass and copper shells do not crack, and aluminum would actually be less likely to come apart, since they are welded, and not soldered.
Solid mounts are just fine, and have been for years.
Notice the supports are on the core, and not the tanks. Cross flow radiators would mount different, and later model radiators that utilize rubber mounts are cross flow design.
I have been using Chebby radiators for quite a while now, and this radiator looks like a nice piece.
I might be interested in trying one for the new project truck.

 

Thats pretty cool that someone took the time to design & make one for our trucks.

 

Although with that much space I would have expected more than a 2-core setup

 

You can go to the BeCool website and get a wealth of information on the aluminum radiators. The claim 25 percent more efficiency with a single row 1 1/2-inch core radiator over a conventional copper dual core radiator. They also claim that they tried dual core radiators with the 1 1/2-inch cores and they actually ran warmer. That is why they cut the core down to 1 inch with the dual core radiator. They also make a direct replacement crossflow for our old downflow radiators.

I am not to sure I believe everything someone is saying when they are trying to sell you something, but I do know that the crossflow radiator is a heck of a lot more efficient than the downflow. That's why all of the later vehicles come with crossflows. I went to a street fair today in our small community and we had a pretty good turnout of rods and customs. (Over 100 cars) Virtually every rod and a lot of the customs had aluminum radiators in them. I asked several of the guys that owned the vehicles about the aluminum radiators and every one of them said they would never go back to the old copper downflows.