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Where to buy a radiator?

Cornfield creations

Cornfield creations

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Jasper, Indiana
We have multiple suppliers for our shop for radiators. But for my 79 they all show the aluminum radiators with the plastic tanks. If not for durability I wouldn't put them in because they are retarded looking.

I want a brass/copper radiator like original, but the only one napa can get is their 729 number, which is a light duty radiator, and I have the 4 core in it now.

The 730 number came in with the plastic side tanks.

Or should I just buy a full aluminum? I have no need for one really though.

I am just frustrated with trying to buy original style parts for my 79 and everything is being converted to china junk that has a predetermined self destruct time.
 
My lil brother used 1800Radiator for his jeep. A tree branch poked a hole in it. He called them, and they sent out a new one for free.
 
I had to get a new 4 core from mine, went to autozone or advance and they brought out the alum/plastic one. Funny thing was the hose didnt fit (I dont remember if it was top or bottom or big/small).

So left there, went to the napa I deal with for work, she brings out a plastic/alum one. I give the parts lady crap like I always do and ask if she can make sure they dont have a copper/brass one. (this is the napa distribution warehouse for this area). She came back about 10minutes later with the dustiest, most beaten up box I have ever seen, and pulled out a purdy new copper/brass 4 core :woot:

Looked like it had been in the back for 10yrs. Anyway, the whole thing is, it was listed as the same p/n as the plastic/alum one, so I doubt you will find a copper/brass unless you get really lucky. What I really hated about the plastic ones was that the tanks are the 4 core size, but the center is only like a 2 row....:dunno::dunno:

But anyway, you may also be able to find a radiator shop who will build you one, we had to have one built for a generator at work and it was only $200ish, and it was a 4 core (granted a very narrow 4 core).
 
i purchased a brass one thru LMC about 2 years ago. I had the customer service rep request for it to be inspected to determine the materail (brass or aluminum) since it was not listed in the catalog at the time.
 
I've never dealt with this outfit before, but they show a 4 row copper/brass rad for your truck.
This link should take you to that page.
If not, go to the home page and enter your vehicle info with the 350 engine.

They claim copper/brass, but if you are going to order, you might want to call. Lots of places consider aluminum to be an alternate replacement.

http://www.radiatorexpress.com/prod...rass+(28"x17")+&part_id=40315&aaia_id=1029484


http://www.radiatorexpress.com is the home page if the link is completely bad
 
Ive found 2-3 mint condition radiators at junkyards almost every time i go. I cant justtify speding the 300 bucks on a copper/brass radiator.

Hell you can even get a nice summit full alum one for under/around 200
 
Yep, those brass ones are getting pricey.
For cooling, of course the aluminum ones will always outcool the same size brass ones.

But you are less likely to walk out one day and see coolant on the ground with brass...

Being in Fl. I DO NOT like cooling issues. When I bought my truck I got the super cooling package.
It came with a big plastic and aluminum radiator.

At the time, I had access to large amounts of actual distilled water cheap.
I flushed out the system with it, and refilled it with distilled and coolant 50/50.

Always used distilled when I changed it.

About 3 years in, I suddenly started losing coolant.
Could not find a leak.
Finally one day I parked sideways on a slope and saw some dripping.
The right hand plastic tank had a hairline crack up next to the top.

Took the radiator off and took it to a radiator shop that I had done business with for years.
He looked it over and told me he could replace the tank. But the core was epoxied to the tank mount, and the glue was starting to let go.

Even with a new tank, the core would start leaking soon.

At that point, I was fed up with aluminum radiators.
He ordered me a copper/brass replacement from Modine.
Its been in there for 17 years or so now.
Doing good.
 
GMCLegacy said:
i purchased a brass one thru LMC about 2 years ago. I had the customer service rep request for it to be inspected to determine the materail (brass or aluminum) since it was not listed in the catalog at the time.
Click to expand...

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?page=131

Check that link out, I am running an LMC radiator which is brass. After 5 years the paint is starting to wear through in the front where it gets blasted with road debris and winter salt so no surprise there. Otherwise, I did have to do a warentee return within a month or two as one of the soldered seams split on me but they replaced it free of charge. No problems at all since then.
 
Cornfield creations said:
Thanks guys. This radiator isn't very old. Would it be worth it to take it out and have it re-sealed by a radiator shop?
Click to expand...

Yes, as long as there isn't any corrosion going on, they should be able to boil tank it, and clean it up like new. They usually pressure check them, and straighten any bent fins too. a fraction of a new one.
 
I was informed when i had to warranty my old (1800radiator) all metal unit out for a new one, the new one was the new plastic tank things, they said they don't make them all metal anymore unless they are custom ordered/made.

Sucks as i just put in this plastic bastard in March, and it's already leaking. Does a damn good job cooling, 4 row aluminum core, but the sealing practices of the plastic tanks to the cores really sucks.

They are honoring their warranty though, although i think i have to wait for them to ship me a new one now that i'm not in Phoenix to be able to go to the authorized store and swap it out in person.

and as far as having a radiator shop clean them out and repair them, may want to check prices again, unless it's a custom radiator, it's getting cheaper to just buy new ones than to have them worked on.
I have the receipt right here in front of me, and this 4 row unit ran me $173.28 with tax.
 
Chevy305 said:
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?page=131

Check that link out, I am running an LMC radiator which is brass. After 5 years the paint is starting to wear through in the front where it gets blasted with road debris and winter salt so no surprise there. Otherwise, I did have to do a warentee return within a month or two as one of the soldered seams split on me but they replaced it free of charge. No problems at all since then.
Click to expand...

I bought the 32-2946 4 row radiator. It is aluminum and plastic. Works good, even when the motor leaked out 50% of my coolant. You need to modify the upper mounts and radiator shroud. Upper mounts need to be cut. The shroud needs to be trimmed down the sides where it touches the radiator for good fit. The larger pads need to be purchased as well. Easy
 
Well they boiled my old radiator and found 11 holes in it. Plus a lot of calcium build up. So I had to replace it. A few phone calls later found the exact same radiator. Brass and copper 3 row. Last one in the warehouse, the rest are all plastic and aluminum. Plus I got the price for the cheaper ones.
 
The town I used to live in had the Northern radiator plant. Ive heard nothing but bad stuff about them. A friend had abut 5 of them in his 79 f-150.

Stay away from them if at all possible.
 
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