Mustang aluminium radiator upgrade

Originally Posted by Beoweolf

....Like all things in modern cars... The switch over to Aluminum was based on cost and weight.

There is no denying that aluminum weighs less. The weight savings contribute to epa/dot - fuel economy, weight classifications, etc. But remember, most aluminum radiators are fitted with plastic tanks too. Every wonder why Aluminum radiators are replaced, not rebuilt? Just a thought?

I'm not quite sure what your getting at here?...Two of the advantages of aluminium rads are that they don't use solder for attaching end tanks(which is a poor conductor of heat) and they last longer than copper rads.....

Most things I have read don't dispute that copper dissapates heat better than aluminium but the overall design of the aluminium radiator is much better and more effecient than the copper rads.

Here is some good reading..Just ignore the first column regarding the corvette stuff.

DeWitts - Why Aluminum

I actually think if all things being equal and a copper radiator is taken care of, it will last longer. Aluminum, no matter what, just gets eaten away over time by minerals and other crap in your cooling system. Copper is much better at holding up to years of having coolant in them. Even a poorly taken care of copper radiator can be flushed and can be put back into service even if it needs some solder repair. I wouldn't bother touching an aluminum one that has been damaged or been sitting with coolant for an extended period of time neglected. That's why they just replace aluminum and repair copper. By the way, in how many repair shops do you see old copper radiators sitting around compared to how many old aluminum radiators you see sitting around? That's because the aluminum ones all go to the recycler.

my 68 stang has the factory big block rad in it currently (with internal trans cooler). I'm on a weight saving kick with the car. Does anyone have an idea how much weight I'll save going with the aluminum rad like is in the article?

thanks

I finally got around to wieghing the two rads..They are just like they are in the pics..The aluminium has the rad hoses attached and the stock rad has the shroud so the extra wieght should be pretty even..The aluminium wieghed in at 16lbs and the stock was very close to 20lbs..

I'm a hydraulics design engineer, part of my job is calculating delta "T" across heat exchangers. There are so many factors to include in a question like this, that it becomes a giant project! but, bottom line...if the water flow, inlet temp, and air flow are the same through both radiators, the aluminum will reject a minimum of 35% more BTU's. Aluminum is a better conductor of heat than copper. One other critical factor, ONLY use enough anti-freeze to protect the engine from freezing, the higher the consentration of anti-freeze the less BTU rejection you will have! Good luck.

updated my upper mount picture..

I'm in So Cal and use NO antifreeze in my aluminum radiator. I use a water pump lubricant only. Works great. Also, make sure your engine is ground properly or you might have an electrolysis problem.

Originally Posted by grapevinestang

I'm a hydraulics design engineer, part of my job is calculating delta "T" across heat exchangers. There are so many factors to include in a question like this, that it becomes a giant project! but, bottom line...if the water flow, inlet temp, and air flow are the same through both radiators, the aluminum will reject a minimum of 35% more BTU's. Aluminum is a better conductor of heat than copper. One other critical factor, ONLY use enough anti-freeze to protect the engine from freezing, the higher the consentration of anti-freeze the less BTU rejection you will have! Good luck.

Hi Grapvinestang

I'm new at all this aluminum radiator stuff.
My question is; Do I need to put a lot of anti freese into a the aluminum rad. while I live in Las Vegas. Its very rarely gets that cold here.

Thank You
GOD BLESS

Schooner

Do you need to ground the aluminum radiator as well as the block then?
With my aluminum radiator there was a small wire included... Didn't touch it, and its not connected now..