aluminum radiators

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Nov 22, 2004 | 05:43 PM

nogo73

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From: San Antonio

aluminum radiators

Ok It looks like my radiotor is going to be my next thing on my fix it list so . Can you use a aluminum radiotor in these things or not. is it recommended. I know that I have a aluminum heater core. but I don't know how this stuff Effects The Big Cavitation. would it? or does anybody know.

Nov 22, 2004 | 08:47 PM

Dave Sponaugle

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From: Nutter Fort, WV

My radiator and heater core are both brass. All the salt mine gets, I would not want aluminum for a radiator.

I am running a low silicate antifreeze in my truck with the DCA4 SCA. The silicate that is in regular auto antifreeze is what protects the aluminum radiator and block.

Nov 22, 2004 | 08:55 PM

nogo73

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From: San Antonio

well that stinks You know of any body that sells these raiators for under $300.00 I can get good aluminum for $165. 2-1" core 31 x 19. I thank you for your answer I'm going to try and see what else I can find out.

Nov 22, 2004 | 10:34 PM

Dave Sponaugle

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From: Nutter Fort, WV

I got a 3 row 1 1/2" brass heavy duty core, with my tanks installed at the local radiator shop it was 275.

Nov 22, 2004 | 11:02 PM

Birken Vogt

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From: Penn Valley

The early powerstrokes had a brass radiator but the later ones had aluminum. However for the aluminum radiator to work (not because it's aluminum but because how it's configured) you need the degas tank setup also and the tee into the lower hose and it would be a big PITA for very little gain.

I would suggest not going to buy some aftermarket cheap POS radiator just because that's what I have always done and they never last. Instead take it to a local professional radiator shop and have them fix what's wrong, if not then get a Ford replacement or high quality aftermarket.

Birken

Nov 23, 2004 | 12:55 PM

BikePilot

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I dont see a problem with aluminum as a radiator material. I doubt that it will corrode worse than brass (or the solders holding the brass one together). Many vehicles have aluminum radiators, in general I think they are considered to be better due to their lighter weight and I think they may even be slightly more effecent. My motorcycles (>100hp/Liter) have aluminum rad's, so do all the BMW cars I have worked on. I can not comment on their ability to stand up to salt, but I have never seen one fail due to corrosion, while I have seen many brass ones fall to this evil.
btw, where did you find the aluminum one so cheep??
good luck

Nov 23, 2004 | 10:15 PM

Dave Sponaugle

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From: Nutter Fort, WV

Brass will take lots more road salt than aluminum will.
I plow snow, in the winter I have salt on the top of the air cleaner housing when I am out plowing all day long. The entire engine is white when it dries enough for the salt to crystalize. Here in northern WV we have lots of alumunum radiators fail from salt corrosion on all kinds of vehicles.