Aluminum radiator
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Albuquerque
Aluminum radiator
Well my 25 year old radiator has sprung it's last leak on my dime. Thinkin of the "Be Cool" custom fit aluminum unit. Anyone tried one? Wondering about fitment and physical strength. They are most definitely proud of them.
Bear Tracks
Bear Tracks
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 197
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From: in a house
Aluminum radiator
I have a be-cool radiator in my Mustang - it is a very nice unit. They are probably the most expensive radiator you can buy.
In my 78 F250 I ordered a copper/brass "Desert Cooler" radiator (the huge one) and have never had a problem - that is with a 460 pulling a full 3 horse trailer with the back full of horse crap over the pass in 100+ degree weather. I don't know how you can get any better than that!
If you go with the same radiator I have make sure you get the real one - they were rare but they did come stock in some trucks! I think the one I got was around $350 new (from Ford).
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
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From: Gainesville, FL
Aluminum radiator
Bear,
Some radiator shops will make an aluminum radiator for roughly around $200. Make some phone calls locally and see what you can find. I saw some custom jobs as low as $199 in Detroit as little as 1.5 years ago.
KingFisher
Some radiator shops will make an aluminum radiator for roughly around $200. Make some phone calls locally and see what you can find. I saw some custom jobs as low as $199 in Detroit as little as 1.5 years ago.
KingFisher
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4
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Aluminum radiator
Be Cool radiators are nice units; however, they are very expensive. I put in a Howe brand aluminum radiator that I purchased from Summit. It works great and looks great. I also purchased a Summit Stainless Steel Flexible Hose Kit to replace the hose. This was done more for looks than anything else. It keeps the engine to within a few degrees of the thermostats rated temp. I have a 185 deg thermostat and in the fire of a Tucson, Arizona summer in stop and go traffic it will climb to about a needle width below 190 deg. If your car is overheating find out exactly for sure why. Stock radiators are usually fine for most applications even if make a few engine mods. Trans coolers also help reduce radiator stress.
Streak O Lean
Recently departed 77 F250
Looking for another 70's Ford Truck please e-mail me if your in AZ.
Streak O Lean
Recently departed 77 F250
Looking for another 70's Ford Truck please e-mail me if your in AZ.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 112
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From: ATCHISON USA
Aluminum radiator
The above suggestions sound great, i just thought i would add my experience. I only use Griffen aluminum radiators. They are also very expensive. I have found them to be extremely durable, lightweight and good looking. A stock style radiator is probably capable of cooling your truck, but an aluminum radiator is worth every penny. I have never personally come across such a radiator in the $200.00 range. I am sure BE-COOL, like Griffen can also set you up with a built in tranny cooler, and an A/C condensor if you wish. All of the Griffen units i have purchased have run at least $550 with the most recent being for a 37' Ford that ran over $800. Just like anything else, you normally get what you pay for! Shop around for core thickness, cooling fins per inch, and so on. Price is always a consideration, but it does not seem to bad when i am sitting in line at a fairgrounds show with the air on at about 185 degrees while others are puking antifreeze! Good luck FOMOGO
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Albuquerque
Aluminum radiator
Thanks for the replys. My four row cooled fine but I think the metal is fatigued from the years of abuse and trips to the radiator shop. It's also probably suffered like my alternator from the ungodly racket and vibrations when I do a hard launch. Heh, heh.
The Be Cool is supposed to be a "bolt in". I guess if I get another 25 years of use it will be worth it.
Dang Fords! only 280,000 miles and I've already replace a couple of things.
Bear Tracks
The Be Cool is supposed to be a "bolt in". I guess if I get another 25 years of use it will be worth it.
Dang Fords! only 280,000 miles and I've already replace a couple of things.
Bear Tracks
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