Rebuild 4 core brass/copper radiator or Aluminum? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Fasteddieb · 07-03-2015, 01:08 PM

I have a 4 core brass and copper radiator that is leaking at the tanks. Local shop will rebuild for $150. Another option is a 3 core aluminum Champion. I live in hot Orlando and will be adding a Vintage air conditioning system very soon.

Opinions are very appreciated!

cla511 · 07-03-2015, 01:42 PM

Copper moves a lot more heat. Here in the South we need that.

cooperhw · 07-03-2015, 03:48 PM

Not being a jerk (or not trying to be anyhow), I should point out you only have 1 core radiator. Like every radiator on the planet.
What you have there is a 4 row radiator as opposed to a 3 row.
I have had good luck with aluminum radiators the last few years. Griffin makes a really good one as well as others.
JMO

Z10 · 07-03-2015, 05:46 PM

I'm using a good quality 2 row aluminum with great results here in 100+ West Texas.

Fasteddieb · 07-03-2015, 07:06 PM

CooperHW - of course, you are right! 4 ROW. My mistake!
Z10, thanks for the additional info.

Anyone else want to chime in?

GRX · 07-03-2015, 07:16 PM

My vote is for repairing the Brass one. Because I am old school like that.

leftybass209 · 07-03-2015, 07:20 PM

I have a champion (American Eagle) 2 row radiator with 1 inch rows. I purposely left it outside in 100+ degrees, idling with the hood off, for around 45 min to an hour. The point was specifically to test my cooling system for any issues and it ran cool! It's a crate 350 with a healthy cam, cast iron exhaust, no AC, and a clutch fan with shroud.

BossHogg69 · 07-03-2015, 07:32 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was faced with the same situation last year - refurb my old brass 4 row, or buy a nice new 2 row AL. I am also running a vintage air gen IV system, with a March serpentine belt drive and Edelbrock Victor short water pump. I even used factory 4 row mounts. The radiator fit perfectly.

I used an Engineered Cooling Products aluminum radiator and Derale dual electric fans.

http://www.speedcooling.com/1967-197...r/prod_38.html - same one Z10 posted those pics of.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-16837

The radiator & fan setup cools well, I've driven this thing around plenty just recently on 90+ degree days. If engine runs up to around 200*, the second fan kicks on and cools it right back down very quickly. The first fan kicks on at 185*, the second at 200* or whenever you turn the a/c on. These fans pull some juice when they're both on - when the second fan kicks in the idle goes from 1100-1200 rpm (where it's set) to about 900.

Here's a video of the engine that it's cooling off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIiMGL-8Tp8

07-03-2015, 01:08 PM	#1
Fasteddieb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 11	Rebuild 4 core brass/copper radiator or Aluminum? I have a 4 core brass and copper radiator that is leaking at the tanks. Local shop will rebuild for $150. Another option is a 3 core aluminum Champion. I live in hot Orlando and will be adding a Vintage air conditioning system very soon. Opinions are very appreciated!

07-03-2015, 01:42 PM	#2
cla511 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Alabama Posts: 50	Re: Rebuild 4 core brass/copper radiator or Aluminum? Copper moves a lot more heat. Here in the South we need that. __________________ 1972 C10 Cheyenne 402/TH350 1985 GMC 1500 Sierra Classic 350/700R 1986 K20 427/NV4500 1986 K20 Sub 406/TH400 "Life's tough.....It's enough tougher if your stupid." John Wayne

07-03-2015, 03:48 PM	#3
cooperhw Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix) Posts: 2,303	Re: Rebuild 4 core brass/copper radiator or Aluminum? Not being a jerk (or not trying to be anyhow), I should point out you only have 1 core radiator. Like every radiator on the planet. What you have there is a 4 row radiator as opposed to a 3 row. I have had good luck with aluminum radiators the last few years. Griffin makes a really good one as well as others. JMO __________________ "Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne

07-03-2015, 05:46 PM	#4
Z10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 1,267	Re: Rebuild 4 core brass/copper radiator or Aluminum? I'm using a good quality 2 row aluminum with great results here in 100+ West Texas. __________________ 1969 RS/SS Z10 Camaro Pace coupe 1972 GMC Short Step buildhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6356218 1979 Mazda RX7 1979 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 & 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary 1999 Honda Valkyrie 2006 Corvette Z06 2010 BMW 650i

07-03-2015, 07:06 PM	#5
Fasteddieb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 11	Re: Rebuild 4 core brass/copper radiator or Aluminum? CooperHW - of course, you are right! 4 ROW. My mistake! Z10, thanks for the additional info. Anyone else want to chime in?

07-03-2015, 07:16 PM	#6
GRX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,937	My vote is for repairing the Brass one. Because I am old school like that.

07-03-2015, 07:20 PM	#7
leftybass209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 2,189	Re: Rebuild 4 core brass/copper radiator or Aluminum? I have a champion (American Eagle) 2 row radiator with 1 inch rows. I purposely left it outside in 100+ degrees, idling with the hood off, for around 45 min to an hour. The point was specifically to test my cooling system for any issues and it ran cool! It's a crate 350 with a healthy cam, cast iron exhaust, no AC, and a clutch fan with shroud.

07-03-2015, 07:32 PM	#8
BossHogg69 motor exploder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,346	Re: Rebuild 4 core brass/copper radiator or Aluminum? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was faced with the same situation last year - refurb my old brass 4 row, or buy a nice new 2 row AL. I am also running a vintage air gen IV system, with a March serpentine belt drive and Edelbrock Victor short water pump. I even used factory 4 row mounts. The radiator fit perfectly. I used an Engineered Cooling Products aluminum radiator and Derale dual electric fans. http://www.speedcooling.com/1967-197...r/prod_38.html - same one Z10 posted those pics of. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-16837 The radiator & fan setup cools well, I've driven this thing around plenty just recently on 90+ degree days. If engine runs up to around 200, the second fan kicks on and cools it right back down very quickly. The first fan kicks on at 185, the second at 200* or whenever you turn the a/c on. These fans pull some juice when they're both on - when the second fan kicks in the idle goes from 1100-1200 rpm (where it's set) to about 900. Here's a video of the engine that it's cooling off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIiMGL-8Tp8 __________________ Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!! Last edited by BossHogg69; 07-03-2015 at 07:39 PM.



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