New Aluminum Radiator

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by SparkyRnD

based on the sizes I'm seeing, retail would be around $450, member discounted price would be $425, and to the person that helps us prototype it, I'd go $325 plus shipping. Once we receive the original, it would take about 2-3 weeks to make the prototype and ship it out. We would require a quick mock-up, notes about fitment and some pictures (high resolution) showing it installed. If revisions are required, we would issue a call tag to have it brought back for modifications.

I sure appreciate the offer.....but it will cost be $50-$75 to ship that heavy bugger to ya.

[SparkyRnD]

I'll send a call tag for that as well.

[MIKEs50Chevy]

I bought a Champion 3 row from Ebay and I'm happy with it, but if I had the choice, I'd take RnD's offer for them to build one. For the difference, you get a US manufacturer and I'm sure the quality is better. But as it is, I'm fine with my Champion for now.

[SparkyRnD]

thanks for the support! we have someone that already shipped us their radiator, and we will have it shortly. In about 3-4 weeks, we will have the prototype done and hopefully test-fitted. After that we will release them for sale.

[truckerbob56]

I put an Champion 3 row in my 56 GMC with an 350/400hp. Works great fit good no problem with it

[SparkyRnD]

We finished prototyping the radiators for the 47-54 models, and they are now available for purchase. Here are some pics:




Retail price is $450, and members of this forum get a discounted price of $425.

Here is a link to them on our website:
http://rndfabrication.com/ChevyGMC47-54.html

Make sure to mention you are a member to get your discount!

[fabguy]

I put a new aluminum radiator built for a 67-69 Camaro w/ BB into my truck and I works great now.

[itstheshu]

I know there are a ton of threads that talk about Champion aluminum radiators. My questions are for the guys that have had them for a while. How are they holding up? Would you by it again?

[72Mountaineer]

I've noticed in the pics that there are different set-ups as far as cooling fans. The difference is usually the type of water pump (short or long) that is used. As radiators vary in thickness as per their number of rows, is there a set water pump for the radiator thicknesses?

[jbarron]

Put one in a '72 little over a year ago and it developed a leak on two tubes right at the tank. Don't know how long it had been leaking before it got bad enough to leave a good puddle.

Still hard to beat the price and will probably end up with one in the '50.

[MIKEs50Chevy]

Originally Posted by itstheshu

I know there are a ton of threads that talk about Champion aluminum radiators. My questions are for the guys that have had them for a while. How are they holding up? Would you by it again?

I've had that has been installed over a year and a half and have had no issues. Can't beat the price.

[michaelt55]

to RND
when will you have one for a 59 chevy truck? I have an LS1 engine...I can send you mine if you need it to duplicate the radiator....


Michael

[Apachemike]

I used a champion 2 row 1" core in my corvette and it worked great. Don't forget shrouds to get the most cooling. I used dual electric fans, no shroud

Sparky RnD: You can borrow one of the radiators in my truck (59 would be best) just come and get it....It's low on coolant now anyway

[solidaxel]

I have a Champion in my 55 1st GMC it has been in there since 2005 with a Spal fan & shroud and a 180 high flow thermostat and a Steward Components water pump and A/C here in the desert. I have had it out for repairs last year and the rad. guy said it had too many cores to fit the tanks (4 core). he did fix it but said he would not stand behind it for more than 60 days!
I do drive this truck and it has over 60K on the last rebuild

[SparkyRnD]

Originally Posted by michaelt55

to RND
when will you have one for a 59 chevy truck? I have an LS1 engine...I can send you mine if you need it to duplicate the radiator....Michael

Originally Posted by Apachemike

Sparky RnD: You can borrow one of the radiators in my truck (59 would be best) just come and get it....It's low on coolant now anyway

All we need to make the 55-59 style is a radiator in our hands michaelt55 you have first shot (assuming you can send it down within the next few weeks and then test fit quickly after receiving it). If not, apachemike is next. I'll knock off $100 off the regular price in exchange for helping. Shoot me a pm with your email address and we can move forward.

[octanejunkie]

Champion radiators are now being sold at Jegs, cheaper than on eBay. They are proudly made in China.

I have a Summit universal aluminum radiator in my '59; electric fan, no trans cooler. Cools really well.

The one pictured above, made by SparkyRnD, looks super stout. I'd consider upgrading mine to one of those any day!

[SparkyRnD]

Originally Posted by octanejunkie

The one pictured above, made by SparkyRnD, looks super stout. I'd consider upgrading mine to one of those any day!

Thanks, we'd be glad to build one for you. It's tough to compete on price alone with those chinese versions, but we have a solid following from people that want to buy American, and get a quality radiator that they won't have to replace multiple times.

[octanejunkie]

Originally Posted by SparkyRnD

Thanks, we'd be glad to build one for you. It's tough to compete on price alone with those chinese versions, but we have a solid following from people that want to buy American, and get a quality radiator that they won't have to replace multiple times.

I like patriotism and support american products and companies as much as my wallet can allow.

My biggest criteria was and is thickness of the radiator. I need to keep it as thin as possible to allow the electric fan to clear my pulleys. This is after I moved my engine backwards 1-2" with new crossmembers. IIRC, the stock 55-59 radiator bracket pushed the radiator rearwards too much. I ended up manufacturing new brackets around a universal radiator.

It's not factory perfect, and no internal trans cooler (hence why I'm looking again) but it cools ridiculously well.

[SparkyRnD]

makes sense. Our radiators are all approximate 3.5" total thickness from front to back (that includes the tanks and the plates). For fans, they add on anywhere from 2-3" depending on which one you choose. How much room do you have from the core support to the pulley?

[octanejunkie]

I'd have to measure from the face of the pulley to the radiator core...

In the meantime, how are most guys running electric fans, as pullers or pushers?

Mine is setup to pull, which makes sense with natural airflow against the front of the vehicle; but it rarely runs other than at idle or low speed/traffic when airflow is low or none. It also blows all the heat against the firewall and heats up the cab and hood and such.

[SparkyRnD]

Most people run them as pullers, as they are more efficient that way and allow more air to reach the cores without obstruction. Pushers are used only in cases where there are no other options.

[Justin@EntropyRad]

There are a few good choices out there for those gorgeous early model trucks!

[octanejunkie]

Originally Posted by SparkyRnD

Most people run them as pullers, as they are more efficient that way and allow more air to reach the cores without obstruction. Pushers are used only in cases where there are no other options.

I wish there were a practical cooling setup that could keep heat OUT of the engine compartment!

[SparkyRnD]

You'd have to remove the engine and exhaust to accomplish that

[octanejunkie]

Originally Posted by SparkyRnD

You'd have to remove the engine and exhaust to accomplish that

Nah, it's easier to not start the vehicle and leave it in the garage

Hey Sparky, rather than replacing my radiator, do you think having a local radiator shop add a trans cooler to my radiator is a realistic option?