The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Aluminum Radiator

Hi Truck Collectors;
Hey any opinions on these Aluminum radiators that fit Thriftmasters??
I was thinking of painting it black to sort of make it match.
Definitely not like original though.
RA.

If the radiator has epoxied tubes going into the tanks, it can not be repaired if it starts leaking. If its welded, you can repair them. Mine, AFCO for '37 trucks, is epoxied, it has a seep in one corner. AFCO said there is no repair for this type of radiator. It's 10 years old.

Something to think about,

Joe

I know nothing about solving this problem.

However, as a last resort, I would clean/scour the area and then try JB Weld. You have nothing to lose?

The aluminum all welded radiators direct fit for almost any vehicle are readily available on Evilbay for $200 or less. I’ve bought 3 so far and am happy with all three.🛠

I have one (a 3 core aluminum) on my 1952 3100. Like Martin's it is welded (100%) and I have an Old Air Products shroud with a Spal 2020 cfm thermostatically controlled fan. I've never had a problem one and the engine temperature is easily controllable within the degree range of the switch. I paid less than $150 for the radiator (Amazon) and the fan and shroud cost about $250. Oh I also have a recirculating bottle...which in Dallas is a good thing to have.

It doesn't look like the original but it works much better than the original did. I have heard many complaints about the epoxied ones failing. In fact, nobody I know who bought one of those hasn't had problems with it.

Good to hear!
Did you paint them??
I was going to use high temp black.
Tnx.

I have used several welded aluminum radiators on TF trucks and they worked well. Not sure about painting the aluminum though and how it would affect the cooling. I have not painted any of them. Radiator shops use a special paint on brass/copper radiators.
Fred

I didn't paint mine. It was polished aluminum and I figured paint (a) wouldn't stick well and (b) probably might help retain heat. So I left it alone.

I would not paint the finned area. The tank and mounting flanges should not pose a problem. Make sure you prep it properly and use flat or satin black and just enough to hide the aluminum.🛠

Grill paint works surprisingly well also. Heat resistant and adheres to aluminium rather well, like varios grill parts.

Not to mention, ive also heard that a black radiator disapates the heat much better over an unpainted aluminum one. Why? I dont know, buts that seems the be the greater opinion on other varios sites.

Engineer's hat on here. It's a thing called "black body radiation" and reflective surfaces such as aluminum do radiate less efficiently than black surfaces. Although in the application of a radiator (probably more correctly in scientific terms called a convector) the forced convection (air flowing over a hot surface and scouring the heat away) is WAY more effective than the radiation component of heat transfer.
For practical purposes, you wouldn't see a significant difference between an unpainted aluminum radiator and an identical one that's painted black.

Good to know, but exactly is "significant difference "? So there is somewhat of a difference? Or are you saying, dont waste time and money on painting, unless its a preference?

I'm guessing you might see a difference of less than 5% in performance. Hard to quantify.
Painting would be mainly cosmetic, so painting is just a personal preference.

Yea, id somewhat insignificant. But on a scientific equivalent to 5% of 180 degrees. That would be 9 degrees cooler at operating temperatures. Or there about. Wouldn't hurt to spay it. Every litta bit counts. On the other hand, i did not paint the aluminum i ended up putting in my truck. Was kinda in a rush, at the time, maybe i should've. Thanks for the insight, much appreciated.

They make special radiator paint that is supposed to have less buildup so as to not clog fins or prevent heat transfer.

It wouldn't be 5% of 180 degrees, it would be 5% of the heat transfer in BTUH. The thermostat regulates temperature and only if the heat input exceeds the heat rejected thru the radiator would the temperature increase. Like I said, it probably wouldn't make a bit of difference that you can tell, painted or not.

As far as paint goes, get the $1.00 cans of flat black. It has just enough pigment to cover, but not build up a thick layer.

How many OEM aluminum radiators have you seen black? If there was cooling difference, you would see a lot of them.

Gotcha. Well glad i didn't waste my time then.

I scuff the tanks, sides and flanges with red scotchbrite pad, prime with rustoleum metal etching primer, then paint with rustoleum semi-gloss black paint. This combo has held up nicely for 3 years. If I should get a chip in the paint, Ace Hardware will never run out of rattle can Rustoleum. I leave the coils/fins unpainted. They don't paint high efficiency a/c coils with black paint, and Ace Hardware appears to be out of dark matter black paint.

I only use copper&brass=better heat conductor just like electricity, aluminum not nearly as efficient as copper/brass

Ageed. But the price and availability plays a factor also.

As 9% said. I have used aluminum welded radiators in hot rods but one needs to get at least one to two cores over recommendation. Aluminum may keep our old 216 thru 292's cool. But I have a serious problem in my hi performance cars and trucks. Brass and copper are by far better and last longer. I have to ship mine off to have new copper core's installed on my project cars. Doc

Walker Radiator makes good brass radiators.

Ed