Radiator options

[jaltman]

Not too long ago I sprung a leak in my radiator in my 1973 240z, and took it to my friendly neighborhood radiator shop for repair. Now I have a new and different leak appearing. So I figure its time to just replace the thing. Perusing the purveyors of radiators I find an array of options. There is copper/brass and aluminum. There are one row, two row and three. There are $150.00 up to around $300.00.

In my 1980 TR8, a car with perpetual cooling issues, a very hot running engine, I have an aluminum 1 giant row radiator that has done quite well. Its an aluminum engine.

What recommendations for a selection to you all have and why.

Edited March 2, 2013 by jaltman

[Stanley]

Got the MSA aluminum 3-row for desert trips. Also nice for the freeway when you're going 90 mph and then 5 mph for 20 min. 115F in the shade and there ain't no shade. See the cars parked beside the I-10 - saw about 15 one summer between here and Tucson.

Looks cool too. MSA also has a cross-flow competition one - overkill IMO unless you're actually racing. Brass may soon be unavailable, so you might want one if you have a stock or period mod resto for car shows.

[Wade Nelson]

I'd want to find out if there are any reasons WHY you keep springing leaks. Like electrolysis. Or a head gasket leak. An inoperative water pump or cooling fan. A misbehaving thermostat.

I'd start with a pressure test of the system. That's where cooling system repairs should begin.

Next I'd use some test strips to check my coolant mix (should be 50:50 or 60:40 water/glycol) along with pH.

Perhaps you just have a worn out radiator. Or perhaps not.