I have a stock radiator in my 53 with a 350 engine and so far have had no problems cooling it. I also run an electric fan. Just be sure your radiator is in good shape. Like you said-- the aftermarket prices were outrageous. I had mine re-cored at an old school radiator shop for about $225.
Wow,where and when did you have it recored?? Around here it is running around $350.00 since the price of copper went up. And there is only one shop that still dores it. There were 3 others but they don't do it anymore because of the price of copper now and they say it isn't worth it because there isn;t enough business recoring copper radiators. I have one that came out of a 50 3100 truck project laying in the garage. I have been holding on to it hoping that the price of copper will come down and I might get it recored one day, wishful thinking I guess. If not I guess I could always scrap it.
