What's it worth?

[HotRodPC]

Cool bucket. Have you priced that radiator? I need one too in my 84 HD 3/4 Big Block truck. Biggo honkin radiator. Its not cheap. I'll probably end up getting the full aluminum radiator on eBay. They say the 3 row will work find since its aluminum and the rows are tighter so there are more of them than a 4 core.

 

[Irishman999]

Its true, the aluminum fins can be smashed thinner giving more surface area. Copper dissipates heat better than the aluminum but cant be flattened as much as the aluminum so there is less fins. I like the Copper units just because you can repair them, last one I took to a radiator shop cost me 50 bucks and was good as new. Once the aluminum one is leaking your screwd.

 

[HotRodPC]

I'd go with a copper too. I just don't want a plastic/aluminum radiator.

 

[Old77]

Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of the plastic radiators either!!

 

[HotRodPC]

Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of the plastic radiators either!!

Beleive it or not, they really aren't that bad. Its just they are disposable and not repairable in most cases. Newer auto's converting to plastic radiators have put many many radiator shops out of business. There isn't many radiator shops around anymore. Also, a radiator shop is a great place to take fuel tanks to be cleaned out too.

 

[bucket]

I haven't priced a new one yet. I think most of the replacements are going to be the aluminum/plastic version, which is OK I guess. I just bought an all aluminum Champion radiator from a seller on ebay, for my Impala. It looks like it's high quality and it had a very fair price on it. Maybe they have them for the trucks too. I don't know if there's any good radiator shops left in town, if there is, I'll have it repaired and use it in my '88 Burb.

 

[HotRodPC]

Having that one repaired would be ideal if you find a shop, and it is repairable. You may have to give up one row of one core which is not big deal, but as long as it works. I have the biggo honkin radiator out of the 80 GMC that was 5.7 Olds diesel. I like it too, but the trans cooler is on the opposite side, to make room for the engoine oil cooler on the other side. I'd really like to use that radiator for both trans and motor oil cooling. I may end up using it in my 88 Burb.

 

[bucket]

The built-in oil cooler isn't much of a benefit considering how common the front-mount ones are, but yeah if it's in good shape, you might as well use it.

Does it use o-ring fittings like the 90's radiators?

 

[HotRodPC]

No, just the threaded steel lines. Not sure on the engine oil side though, never though to check hat. I'll look next time at the shop. Yeah I could easily make it work, but I normally like to stay as close to OEM as possible. I could get some steel braided cooling line and flare the end of the steel lines and re locate the cooler and go into an aftermarket finned cooler in front of the condensor too. I might do that too. I'm big on keeping transmissions cool as possible.

 

[Old77]

So when are we getting pics of the new purchase????

 

[Irishman999]

I haven't priced a new one yet. I think most of the replacements are going to be the aluminum/plastic version, which is OK I guess. I just bought an all aluminum Champion radiator from a seller on ebay, for my Impala. It looks like it's high quality and it had a very fair price on it. Maybe they have them for the trucks too. I don't know if there's any good radiator shops left in town, if there is, I'll have it repaired and use it in my '88 Burb.

You can repair it on your own also, If its leaking just locate the leak and clean the hole really good with a wire brush and acid. use one of those small propane torches and fill the hole with solder, just like soldering copper tubing. I did that to the radiator in my Colt and she stopped leaking

 

[bucket]

So when are we getting pics of the new purchase????

Will probably have some pics on Monday. I'll try my hardest to remember to take the camera so I can get pics while it's still daylight.

You can repair it on your own also, If its leaking just locate the leak and clean the hole really good with a wire brush and acid. use one of those small propane torches and fill the hole with solder, just like soldering copper tubing. I did that to the radiator in my Colt and she stopped leaking

There's a very small pinhole leak that I could fix, but it also looks like a tank seam is seeping.

 

[Old77]

I'd better save some of this for Monday!!!!!

 

[bucket]

Well, it's Monday and I forgot the camera, so snowy night time pics will have to do for now. But that's better than nothing, right?

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The dark gray paint on the left rear quarter and tailgate is the original two-tone color.

 

[HotRodPC]

Yep, better than nothing. Coulda put them Squaebodies in the Snow thread. I like that original color scheme. Damn, I'm seeing 3 Squares in the pics. At least 2 look lifted !!!