Any Aluminum Rad Updates?

[fireplug]

Need a rad, I've been playing the weight game, so I'm thinking aluminum. I searched and read a lot but the posts were all pretty old. One concern that kept coming up was the durability over time.

Soooo those that went aluminum 3 years ago, how'd it go?

 

[85mudblazin]

Ive had mine a few months and its working great

 

[mikey_d05]

Mine does an awesome job of supporting the taurus fan that's ziptied to it.

 

[tRustyK5]

I've been tempted to pick up a Griffin AL rad for my POS. They are the only ones that make an application specific rad for my truck (with 6.2 diesel)

As long as you used proper coolant I don't see longevity being an issue. TIG welded aluminum versus soldered brass...I don't see any downside there. Mounting would be important though, as aluminum can and will fatigue crack if rigidly mounted. The AL AC rad in our 2002 Montana did that, fatigue cracked due to the factory mounting being too rigid.

Rene

 

[ryoken]

I've had my Summit in since about sept, I like it...

 

[BKinzey]

I've been tempted to pick up a Griffin AL rad for my POS. They are the only ones that make an application specific rad for my truck (with 6.2 diesel)

Have a part #? Find it cheap anywhere?

 

[ryoken]

Griffin is not synonymous with cheap usually...

 

[WRENCH-HEAD]

I have a Howe racing radiator that I put in the truck about 2 years ago and it is doing great. I use dexcool just for peace of mind with the aluminum. At the time I bought it, it was far cheaper than a replacement radiator. It is a universal mount with a 27" core, so I just fabbed up some brackets to hold it and the electric fans. I used foam weatherstripping to prevent the above mentioned problems and it seems to be holding up fine.

 

[crazyliver]

I put an aluminum rad in just this past summer. Its working just like it should so far. I went to napa, and they suggested it over a copper replacement for me. I can see if I can dig up the part number for you if you like.

 

[fireplug]

I've been tempted to pick up a Griffin AL rad for my POS. They are the only ones that make an application specific rad for my truck (with 6.2 diesel)

As long as you used proper coolant I don't see longevity being an issue. TIG welded aluminum versus soldered brass...I don't see any downside there. Mounting would be important though, as aluminum can and will fatigue crack if rigidly mounted. The AL AC rad in our 2002 Montana did that, fatigue cracked due to the factory mounting being too rigid.

Rene

Yeah the mounting was the concern that was brought up a lot in the past. Sounds like all positive responses so far. Griffin was the one that caught my eye as well, price/quality ratio looks good!

 

[tRustyK5]

When i priced it the Griffin was right around $500 to my door...i think i found it on Jegs.com. Not cheap, but a re-core here would run me about $400. I figured for an extra hundy the Griffin would be nice. I might still do it in the spring, my rad right now has a very small leak and the truck doesn't see a ton of miles so it's not a panic situation.

Rene

 

[cybrfire]

When i priced it the Griffin was right around $500 to my door...i think i found it on Jegs.com. Not cheap, but a re-core here would run me about $400. I figured for an extra hundy the Griffin would be nice. I might still do it in the spring, my rad right now has a very small leak and the truck doesn't see a ton of miles so it's not a panic situation.

Rene

PM sent.

 

[iwaxmyjimmy]

um damn they are expensive lol anything for around $200-300 the be-cool ones at summit are way pricey.

 

[BKinzey]

It's a huge radiator. Like 39 x 23 x 3.5, 4 core, with tranny & oil cooler. Supply & Demand! I've looked into going with exterior oil and tranny coolers but the cheaper aluminum 2 cores have a price jump at about 31"

I know aluminum cools better but I haven't found how iffy a jump like that would be, Anybody know?

 

[Smitty]

I've had a Jegs aluminum radiator in my '56 for 4 years. I haven't had any problems with it. One thing to watch is the electrical system of the vehicle. If you're running around with bad grounds, you can expect the radiator (and other aluminum components in contact with the cooling system) to breakdown from the inside.