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

Members, going to change out my radiator...checking the internet and my catalogs...There's alot out there...
and they run the gamit on pricing, 2 or 3 or 4 core etc.
Any opinions bout which one to buy and why. There are alot to choose from and I don't want to automatically go to the cheapest if that will be bad in the long run. I just want one that will be reliable and keep the truck running cool. Thanks in advance for the help

What motor and transmission do you have?

Hot Rod, 1954, 235, 4 speed. Hope this helps.
Thanks

If you are not a "pure stock" person, then the aluminum 3 or 4 core would be the way to go (in my opinion). Bolt an electric fan in front of it and never have to worry about water tempature............

I just replaced the radiator in my '50 Chevrolet and put a US Radiator in it. It was a direct replacement, 3 row, copper/brass. I know its been talked about lots in other posts also. I had mine out friday night and it was 97 and humid, sitting in traffic the temp stayed just a bit over 180. I'm more than pleased. Don

if its going to be a daily driver my choice would be aluminum with the electric fan like johntsmith said. good luck

If you go with and upgraded core like a four make sure you have the clearance between it and the fan. There was a thread on here a few months back where the thicker cores caused clearance problems. I purchased mine from ClassicParts (Standard Capacity) they mention in their catalog the issue with clearance for the Desert Cooler style they sell as well. Utah summers see 90-100+ deg days and my truck (rebuilt 54' 235) would vent a little pool of coolant after a long drive but I added a reproduction condensor tank which eliminated that. There are lots of choices out there, good luck.

I installed the same one that Brad did in my 1951 suburban(1956 235).It has been in it almost 2 years,no problems to mention.The box it came in said counter parts. Radiator I used made in the USA and has the transmission cooler built into it.It comes with threaded plugs to plug the holes,when using a manual transmission.


Tim

Jimmie V I would go with a stock design radiator, not aluminum.

If you introduce any aluminum components in a cooling system you should change the anti-freeze at 15,000 mile intervals. The antifreeze can become acidic and can cause deteriorization of alumnium components.

This same acidic condition isn't nearly as caustic to steel components.

Do a Google search on "acidic antifreeze aluminum".

Why use aluminum and introduce another variable?

I agree; it's a small thing, but enough small things and you have a large bag of things.

Thanks guys,I'm probally going to go with classic parts...they give a discount? and how do you go about getting it.
Thanks

If you order on line there will be a box that says "promotional code" when you check out.

(Editor's note: When you donate to Stovebolt.com you are eligible for the discount. Please don't post the code for anyone with Google to find.)

Man, i wish I would have paid more attention to that...before I started last winter with the rebuild......Just lost alot of money being un-informed...

I am a contributing member and encourage all who benefit fronm this site to do so also.

When I did make a contribution to the site I was given a discount code for Jim Carter. I was also advised at the same time that there was no code for American Classic.
And noting was mentioned about a code for Classic Parts.


Peggy M gave me the J.C. Code via P.M.
Use the paypal link below to donate .

http://www.stovebolt.com/office/thanks.html