Plastic radiator
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 131
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From: southern cal.
Plastic radiator
I'm looking for the correct replacement radiator for my '77 f-150, 4x4. All the cheaper ones are plastic and aluminum, while the more expensive are brass/copper brass. Is there any reason not to buy the plastic /aluminum one?
Don
Don
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1
From: Eldorado Ca. USA
I did not know there was a plastic/aluminum radiator available for our trucks. IMO, if properly maintained, there is nothing wrong with them. The only problems I have with them is after time, the area joining the aluminum to the plastic begins to leak. I simply take a pair of water pump pliers (channel locks) and GENTLY re-crimp the seam till it stops leaking. They have a tendancy to be weaker than their brass counterparts, and if your radiator support is weak, and flexes, it can damage the plastic radiators. As far as the brass ones are concerned, I like to buy the 3(factory in most cases) or (preferably) 4 core units. There is hype about the ones with the larger tank(super cooling) on top being better, but when filled properly, I do not think they hold much more coolant than the ones with the smaller top reservoir.
