I see your cheapo is from LMC. I've found that parts from LMC are generally decent but every once in a while you'll get a lemon.

I bought a radiator for a '79 F-100 from LMC and it was copper and brass and made in Thailand. It seemed pretty decent but spring a leak at the header tank after a few years. I had it re-soldered completely around and it's been fine ever since. You shouldn't have to repair a three year old radiator, though.

1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)

1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)