• Hello there guest and Welcome to The #1 Classic Mustang forum!
    To gain full access you must Register. Registration is free and it takes only a few moments to complete.
    Already a member? Login here then!

Are either of these aluminum radiators any good?

steveh326

steveh326

Active Member
Looking down the road a few months at reassembly - want to go alum radiator/electric fan. Right now I'll just putting my mild 289 back in the car (budget realities hitting hard), but hoping in a year or 2 to do a sb stroker build for it, and want a radiator that'll be able to handle that as well.

Are either of these options decent that will work now and later? many thanks...

3 rows:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130736903084?ss ... 1423.l2649

vs.

2 1" rows:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251279015307?ss ... 1423.l2649
 
I have no experience with either brand but will suggest that no matter what brand, go with a 2 1" row design.
 
Isn't the advantage of using a three row vs a two row core is the additional capacity for coolant?
If the tubes in the two row are large (1"), the capacity gain going to a three row may be negated.
Conversely, the area exposed to cooling air will be increased so the cooling will be better with the three row...
Hope that's confusing enough for ya... :)
 
I'm considering replacing my old 4 row copper/brass with an Aluminum rad. Not because the old one hasn't been doing it's job. It has. But because it has developed a leak and I was thinking an aluminum rad will help save some weight on the nose. Not much I know but every little bit helps with a 429!
My understanding is that having two rows with larger tubes is more efficient than adding more rows as they begin to be unable to dissipate heat when you start adding more...
I don't know this for a fact but I've been reading :pop
 
"tarafied1" said:
My understanding is that having two rows with larger tubes is more efficient than adding more rows as they begin to be unable to dissipate heat when you start adding more...
I don't know this for a fact but I've been reading :pop
Click to expand...

Larger tubs vs. greater coolant capacity... I guess one also has to consider other factors, number of heat dissipation fins, fan efficiency, (shrouded or not)... what else...
The OP talked about down the road vision that includes a stroker... What about an oil cooler as a supplement for cooling...
 
Yes, two 1" row rads run cooler that three rows of less than 1".

Now a three 1" row rad would be awesome but very thick.
 
There are a couple things going on with a radiator.

1- What rate with the type of metal allow heat to be exchanged.

This is important because if you have a brass radiator the heat exchange is slower than Aluminum and therefore the water should flow slower through the unit. thus the three row or four row brass radiators are best. I have one that was custom made with baffles in the tanks to slow the water flow and allow more heat to be exchanged. With aluminum the heat is exchanged faster so there is no need for as many rows or to slow the water down typically. the aluminum 2 row radiator has more heat exchange than a 4 row bras radiator the same size.

2- Speed of the water moving through the radiator. See above.

I am sure this will be clear as mud, so in order to keep it simple, do what Craig suggested!

Mel
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top