Aluminum Radiators

How much better cooling will an aluminum radiator typically offer over an iorn radiator and are they worth the money?
Thanks,
[addsig]

Well, aluminum will cool more efficently becasue there will not be hot spots from the solder that a copper radiator has. However, if a copper radiator will keep it cool enough, then I'd go with that. Here's why; one, you'll have to run de-ionized water so your radiator won't get eatin. Secondly, when the radiator needs to be cleaned out, its expensive, if you can find anyone to do it. It could be cheaper to have an extra row put into your existing radiator if possible. Check it out. Price it out. Good luck.
[addsig]

That's a good question, right where I'm at also. As I'm doing my homework on that I was just told a interesting view, 3 row brass cross flow with duel pullers. Anybody.....??? what do you think ?????

i just switched to an aluminum radiator. It's 2 row with 1 inch tubes. Bought it for 150.00 of ebay ( brand new ) for somewhere in michigan. Put on the "5000" cfm lincon mark 8 electric fan and used a thing called a rad cap that has an electrode hanging off it that gets eaten first before the radiator. I used ditilled water and coolant. In 100+ weather the car would run normal and when stopped in traffic after 10 minutes it would heat up too 210 the when the fan kicked in it instantly dropped to 175 degrees and would stay there. It's the best money that I ever spent. So I would recommend it to anyone.

nick

Are you suggesting stock radiators were made of copper? If that's the case, I can't see how an aluminum radiator would be better than that. As far as computer cooling goes, copper is king. Copper allows heat to flow faster, and transfers heat better, aluminum is coppers cheap little brother. Also, as far as the radiator getting eaten goes, you can get antifreeze with additives designed to help protect an aluminum radiator.

Copper is a better conducter of heat. Copper is also a softer metal than alum. If you look into a stock radiator you will notice that the cooling tubes are about 1/4". Anything above that and the copper begins to burst under radiator pressure. Alum., having a higher bursting pressure than copper, can be made to have larger cooling tubes. Up to 1 1/2" I do believe.

After that it is simple math. My copper radiator was 3 rows at 1/4" each. 3/4" of cooling tubes and it didn't keep the car cool. The alum radiator I bought was 2 rows of 1 1/4" radiator. 2 1/2" of alum cooling tubes keep the car nice and cool.

Actually, the car runs at about 174 on a 90 deg day going down the road. It won't even hit 180 until I stop the car.

It was also one of the best parts I ever bought too. Oh yea, buy 2 bottles of Water Wetter when filling it. It makes the car run cooler and takes care of the corrosion problem.

If you have the money, a bolt in is easy but expensive. A little fabrication for some mounting brackets, and the cost of a alum. radiator drops in half.[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

Sources? The ones I see are loads more than $150...

I installed a $189 Griffin ford 31X19 in my 90 stang. Did not need any custom brackets or any other jaz to make it fit. Used the factory hold downs in the factory spot.

How can they sell custom fit 90 stang rads for $400 plus?????????????????????
And whooooo is buying them???????

I got a cheep Griffin circle track radiator in my car. All you have to do is make it fit. Try http://stockcarproducts.com/index.htm , http://store.summitracing.com/ , http://www.afcoracing.com/ .
[addsig]

read this article:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2001/10/radiator/