2 row or 3 row ? Radiator

[taikaki]

Hello Zs

I have 72' 240 with AC.

I am going to replace my after market radiator to Nissan genuine radiator.

I would like to know your opinion about

2 row or 3 row. I was thinking.

If I have a chance to have new parts,

I prefer it's close to original. This means 2.Is 2 row radiator with AC really dangerous ?

Thanks

[2ManyZs]

In Va with A/C I would always go for at least a 3 row if not a 4 row. The radiator is fairly expensive, but it will give you piece of mind, and it's a lot cheaper than warping a head because you got stuck in traffic. The A/C condensor will block a good bit of airflow, so anytime you are running in slow moving traffic, it will be doubly important to have the most efficient radiator you can get.

The only way I'd go with a 2 row is with an aluminum radiator which is a lot more efficient than the stock type radiator.

[taikaki]

Thanks 2ManyZs

I am new in this area.

You know climate in VA better than me.

[Bambikiller240]

Hi Naoshi:

The two row radiators were just barely able to keep our engines cool in the summer here in Cailfornia, even when these 240Z's were new and the radiators were clean, and in excellent condition. I had my radiator re-cored with a 3 row core two years ago, and added a fan shroud this year. I was having a problem (only in stop and go traffic) with the engine temperature rising on warm summer days. (90 degrees F. and above) The shroud solved that problem nicely.

AS 2manyZs suggested, with A/C - a 3 or 4 row radiator is your best bet. I don't know what a dealer would charge for an OEM radiator, but the 3 row re-core of my (originally 2 row radiator) cost me $225.00 and came with a 2 year warrentee from the shop that did the work. I just had it checked by the same shop when I installed my new (rebuilt) motor and it is still in excellent shape, so they extendeded the warrentee for another year at no cost to me. Now that's service.

[2ManyZs]

Believe me, this was not a normal summer. This was more like an extended spring this year. Next summer you'll probably be glad you have A/C as it usually is in the high 80's and 90's from mid June till the end of August, with a few 100 degree days thrown in for variety.

Motorsport Auto has 3 row radiators for about 195.00 and their 4 rows are 245.00 I think, but you can usually catch them on sale and save a few bucks. They bolt right on, and except for the extra thickness, look like the stock radiators. I've used their 4 rows with good success. I raced a 280 with no fan other than a small electric one for idling around in the pits and on the grid, and while racing the temps stayed right around 190- 210.

Carl is right, on the street a fan shroud will make a huge difference if you can find one in good condition.

And do make sure to check over the fan clutch and re-fill it if necessary.

What part of VA are you in?

[Inf]

I wonder if ANYONE has tried out that MSA aluminum rad that is supposed to be a direct swap? Seems pretty pricey!

[taikaki]

Thanks Carl.

4 row that's tougher than I thought.

I am going to put fan shroud and splash pan later.

Thanks 2ManyZs.

I live in Virginia beach area. I guess it is more humid than CA.

[2ManyZs]

The aluminum one from MSA is nice, but the price is a bit steep.... you can buy one from Summit Racing for half the price of it and with a little work make it fit.... Believe the ones for Camaro's are just about the right size. There should be some other threads around here somewhere about aluminum rads that fit.

Yeah, living down there with the heat and humidity is even worse than up here in the mountains....plus the traffic down there can be a killer. One reason I never liked driving down there, all it took was one fender bender near a tunnel and no one went anywhere....

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by 2ManyZs

The aluminum one from MSA is nice, but the price is a bit steep.... you can buy one from Summit Racing for half the price of it and with a little work make it fit.... Believe the ones for Camaro's are just about the right size. There should be some other threads around here somewhere about aluminum rads that fit.

Err, Gosh $460 for the MSA Aluminum Rad. Choke, Gag!!!:sick:

See Arizona Z Car for a Aluminum Cross-Flow Radiator for $359. Still not cheap, but......$100 bucks less is $100 bucks in my pocket!

I would imagine that Virgina Beach IS more humid than my area of Califiornia, but we get up over 100 degrees in the summer 20 to 30 days a year on average.