Aluminum Radiator Opinions

[1973Guppie]

looking at this one on ebay:

3 Row Aluminum Radiator Toyota Land Cruiser FJ 70 - 80 : eBay Motors (item 160370614707 end time Mar-16-10 11:52:49 PDT)

specifically wondering if anyone here has purchased one of these and are they happy with it?

I am replacing my stock 4 cored radiator with this unit and am hoping it will do much better in the summer heats. I plan to drive up to the rubicon in June and it can get hot in CA during the summer months. I am tired of dealing with worrying about the vortec overheating.

Is the general opinion that this 3 core AL unit will cool better than a 4 core stock unit? I have heard percentages all over the place on how much better Aluminum cools than brass / copper. I guess I am losing 1 core but gaining the aluminum structure and heat dissapation

I was going to use the trans cooler option as a power steering cooler, any problems with this?

any comments, opinions appreciated!

Noah

 

[Trollhole]

I bought one. So far so good.

 

[1973Guppie]

I bought one. So far so good.

Troll, good to know, a few questions:

- what engine are you running?

- how hot does it get in your neck of the woods? (ur hood)



thanks,

Noah

I also saw this and plan to buy it for my toolbox in case I have any problems with the rad on the trail:
Stic-Tite Aluminum Radiator Repair

and yes, I carry a spare taurus fan on the trail, strange I know but what the hell.

 

[Trollhole]

Engine is the Big Gay 2f. It gets up to 100-105 during the summer. That being said I have it installed. I have yet to actually run it.

Troll, good to know, a few questions:

- what engine are you running?

- how hot does it get in your neck of the woods? (ur hood)



thanks,

Noah

I also saw this and plan to buy it for my toolbox in case I have any problems with the rad on the trail:
Stic-Tite Aluminum Radiator Repair

and yes, I carry a spare taurus fan on the trail, strange I know but what the hell.

 

[Bret]

I have had very good luck with my aluminum radiator (383 SBC), but it is a generic GM unit from AFCO. My only question is isn't it a pain to fill/refill the radiator through the fill neck with that angle?

With a shroud and a 7 blade fan (flex of rigid) it should keep it cool into the 100's

 

[In2cruisers]

Funny,
I posted almost the same questions...about 1/2 a day prior to your post.....and got somewhat different answers....interesting...I guess i deepends on what time of day you ask??

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/365237-anyone-running-radiator-sbc-your-40-a.html

 

[In2cruisers]

maybe one of us can order 2 and save on shipping

 

[1973Guppie]

I wonder what % wise this unit is better than a 4 core stock radiator? He claims up to 700HP? but at what outside temp? I am sure that figure must come down with the ambient temp outside increasing? In2cruisers, will let you know if I buy one.....

 

[In2cruisers]

As stated by someone in my thread....I would ask for the "B" model

 

[middlecalf]

Funny,
I posted almost the same questions...about 1/2 a day prior to your post.....and got somewhat different answers....interesting...I guess i deepends on what time of day you ask??

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/365237-anyone-running-radiator-sbc-your-40-a.html

post #3

 

[1973Guppie]

talked with champion directly, looks like they have a 4 core for $50 more, 4 cores and AL should do the trick, I am going with that, overkill maybe but I don't want to worry about the car running hot anymore, and 50 bucks is worth that.....

info for others, 4 core part # is MC180, $240 plus $25 ship, this guy is the disty and has better prices than direct from champion, Brent: 714-599-3336

sacramento in summer, here we come

will post up later and let everyone know how the install went......

Noah

 

[lone gunman]

did you ask what the core size was ?

 

[1973Guppie]

no, I would call champion directly and ask them any questions you may have.

 

[Dr Red]

So, now I'm in the same boat and was wondering how the install went for you.
Did you go with the 4 core or??
I want one of these for my F.
She always ran a chilly 170-180 (vegas summers included!) but after sitting for way too long its now 185on the road and can pass 210 at idle. Now it has sprung a leak and I wana upgrade.
Anyone think a 4 core is too much for an old F?

 

[1973Guppie]

i did buy the 4 core, have not installed yet........

 

[99offroad]

I picked up one of these rads a couple months ago. The install went really good, my hardest part was redoing to fan shroud. I thought it filled easily with the design of the filler neck.

I have only put about 400 miles on my cruiser since i put it in. The warmest I have had it out is (~90F or 33C). It runs at 190 pretty much all the time (I have a 350-pretty much stock). I have the CC180B model, which I think is the 4 core model.

Hope this helps

 

[MOTOV8R]

I installed one of the champion 3 core Al radiators as well. Did take a bit of modification (drilled holes to match my radiator mounts on the flanges of the radiator). Also have to clearance the bottom of the mount since the welds on the radiator and just the width didn't quite clear. It works great. I have never been able to run my 40 at highway speed for longer than a few miles without it creeping up over 200 degrees. Now stays at 185 consistently.

 

[Dr Red]

Thanks !

The stock rad’s have that 90 degree filler neck – never bothered me.
These look like good radiators and you can't beat the guarantee.
If they can cool your V8’s they should do well on my old 6 cylndr.
I'll post up some pictures once I get my hands on one.

A side note, the black silicone 'great stuff' will temporarily fix pin hole leaks in metal (bronze) radiator tops Just has to get me thru the week - my FJ40 is a daily driver...

 

[Dr Red]

eBay Aluminum Champion Radiator

The three core bolted right up. It is a great deal and in South Texas heat, it is running a chilly 170-180.
This is a factory replica - that is why it has the split hose connections and bent filler neck. Exact copy of the old one I had in my '72.
Next on my list is the overflow tank

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

i just got the same one about a week ago, hoping to get that and a few other things installed this weekend so i can hopefully start my motor soon. quality looks great, the seller was good to work with as well. i got the efan i am going to try out also, quality looks good but i won't be able to give a good report any time soon.