The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '50 AD Radiator?

A search on Stovebolt seemed to indicate
that Desert Cooler radiators were the popular replacement choice particularly when they provide all our usual aftermarket sources with them. We're kind of a captive market because of that. But, I'm curious if any of you have found dealers other than JC,Classic,LMC,Brothers, etc that are worth a look.

Drew,

Just last week I bought a 100% aluminum radiator for my '50 half-ton AD and it has already arrived. American Eagle Radiator is the manufacturer. (www.americaneagleradiator.com) The quality is superb. The welds are high quality, the fill neck is full billet style, has 1/2" tubes, rated for 500 HP, has an intercooler, comes with brass petcock and a high quality pressure cap. Cost was only $159.95 plush shipping. 90 day no-questions-asked return policy.

I had been looking at swap meets for months and could not find any. Had also been on Ebay and only found over-priced used ones that were not gauranteed. I found this one and could not be happier. Fits like a glove.

Hope this helps you consider other alternatives.

wow....price was sure right...let us know how it works for you......dave

MMmmm, this is interesting. Let us know how well it performs.
Looks like they have cut out TWO "middle man".

I couldn't find a catalog except for "numbers". Did I miss something? I'm looking for an electric fan.

Thanks for the info.

Very interesting for sure. Is the part number you are using
AE5100-AA for 49-54 Chevy truck ? As there web site is under construction, I didn't see an order link or price link. Did you just call them to order ?

I had my radiator recored locally 15+ years ago and it's still running perfectly.

Thanks cmayna, but in my area recoring is about the same as a new radiator cost! Around $300. We actually don't have many radiator repair shops anyway.

Yes, the reorder # is AE-5100. I bought it from a jobber on Ebay. I don't think American Eagle sells direct to consumers.
Search for them under "radiator, aluminum, chevy". Should see several different sellers listing this radiator then just shop for the one with the best "buy it now" price. That's what I did.
Based on what I paid for mine, you can't go wrong.

Haven't installed it yet as it's a part needed for my project, but I see no reason it won't work perfectly. Hope this helps.

OK. Thanks.

Drew you didn’t mention if your interested in keeping you truck original or want to customize it or hot rod it.
You can buy a Desert Cooler radiator directly from US Radiator. I haven’t been able to figure out if the Desert Cooler is their Aluminum Radiator or if that is the name they’ve coined for all of their radiators. I bought a copper brass radiator from them last year for my ‘54 and the billing was from Desert Cooler who has the same address as US Radiator. They look almost exactly like the original. The tank is slightly different in that it does not have any of the numbers embossed in it and is shaped a little differently, the corners being a bit more rounded off. You would only notice the difference if you were really looking for it. They fit the core support exactly like the original radiator. They are made in the US right in Vernon, CA and say they have been there for over 40 years.
But you taint gonna get one for $159.95 +s&h., so if its cheap that’s driving the purchase you might be better off looking at that one on evilbay.
One more thing you might consider is future repairs, the copper ones can be repaired I don’t believe the same is true for the aluminum ones.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thanks Denny for the info. Right now the 3100 is a cross of original body and chassis and newer 261, with some power enhancements. Whatever radiator I'm buying, I'm keeping the old one just because of the Harrison numbers you mention on it. Never know when I might go back to all original.

here you go http://www.usradiator.com/cores

Yes Denny, I got one of the Desert Coolers from JimCarter. It doesn't say it but when I bought mine about 4 years ago, when they were cheap, Mike told me it was a desert cooler. It is copper and fit in my panel like a glove....... . However, I'm still intriqued about the price and quality of the one from American Eagle. Maybe I should buy one and put it up for the next AD?

spotbiltzo, does your radiator have the tranny cooler in the bottom for an automatic?? I'm still intriqued.

Thanks for posting this information! I was planning to get my old original radiator reworked but at that price, I'm going to buy one for my project 50 1/2 ton. My truck is not completly original anymore since I just upgraded the brakes to a dual reservoir front disc brake system. I bought the brake kit through classic industries but they have not been much help on the technical side. I will post some details after I can get this project moving along and STOPPING as well since I have not yet tested the new brake system.
Hardshell
Louisa,VA

Achimpmunk, Yes it has the intercooler at the bottom of the rad. Two holes appx. 1/2' diameter. Comes plugged.

I'm serious, it's a darn nice, professionally built rad for a great price. I shopped a long time for new and used and couldn't find anything near this price until I found this one.

Spot, did you buy that radiator directly from American Eagle or did you go thru a
vendor?
I like to look at the “About Us“, if there is an “About Us” at a vendors site, it
sometimes gives you a little incite into the way the company is run. American
Eagle Radiator's factory is 243,000 sq.ft. plus a 47,000 sq.ft. warehouse,
367 employees ISO certified.
Unless they’re spreading a bunch of BS around, that’s a good sized company and those
are very impressive credentials.
What caught my eye right off the bat is the ISO certification. My wife worked for the
Sealmaster Bearing Division of Emerson Power Transmission when they were getting
their ISO Certification and that is a long detailed and difficult task.
If I were inclined to use an aluminum/plastic radiator (most new cars use them) I don’t
think I would have any concern what so ever about their products.
But, I’m a traditional guy and like the copper and brass, which by the way, even though it is
possible to get them repaired it’s getting dang near impossible to find a shop that still
knows how to do it.
Denny G

I had to jump in here. I was looking for a radiator for a looong time for my '50. We used a dodge dart slant six radiator for Dad's '49, but I couldn't find another one. When I read this thread I took the plunge and bought one off of Ebay. $170 to my door. NICE radiator. It does have the tranny cooler bungs, but I won't use them with my standard trans. I am a certified welder and the welds look really good to me. Aluminum core and tanks with a billet aluminum filler neck. It also came with a cap.

Before I bought, I called American Eagle and asked if it would handle my 292. I was told it was rated up to 450 horsepower. That was enough for me. I haven't installed it yet but it measures out to the same overall dimensions. The only thing that may be 'off' is the placement of the mounting holes on the flanges. . .but I've got a drill!

Craig

Denny, I bought mine off Ebay. I don't think American Eagle sells direct, so that's the only option I found. AE may give you a list of retailers who sell their brand if you call them.
I too was impressed with their ISO 900 certification. I was told years ago how difficult it is to get. So, when I saw they were certified, logic told me they had to be legit and a good company. The square footage of their facilities and the number of employees impressed me that they weren't a fly-by-night outfit. I took the plunge.

And Craig, yes I too was impressed with the over-all quality of this rad. The welds look very professional and the billet style filler neck is good looking too. Mine came with a high quality cap and brass petcock as well. Built in tranny cooler at the bottom of the rad. Both times I've sent the company an email asking questions about the rad they have responded quickly with a very thorough answer. Not these quick, one word answers. Very, very polite Customer service reps ansering your questions. I highly reccomend this rad for our AD trucks if you're not that interested in staying original. High quality at a very low price!!