Radiator: aluminum or copper/brass? What you got running?

Just looking for some more input on radiator options and opinions?

Think I've narrowed my options to a 1964-66 mustang radiator for my 1958 cj6 SBC 283 v8 mild built.

Some say aluminum will cool better with shorter life others say copper/brass will be more durable with longer life.

Been looking at a stock copper/brass Murray from O'reilly's and the many online vender for the aluminum options (I do like the Champions). E-bay seem to have some of the best prices.

I think most 3 row radiators will cool well in aluminum or copper/brass for a SBC. What do you think.

 

You can't go wrong with the Champion...it cools just fine here in the Southern Nevada desert...yes, it's made in China, but the welds look great, it doesn't leak and the price is right.

 

I bought a aluminum radiator for my diesel pickup last year from these guys... http://stores.ebay.com/Patriot-Cooling it bolted right up & ran about 10-15 degrees cooler than the old stock radiator...I was extremely happy with it but sold the truck...

ETA: The radiator cost almost half as much as any I could find locally & my original intent was being able to make emergency repairs with a propane torch & alumiweld rods...these guys http://www.alumiweld.com/ ....I've never used them so can't say for sure, but a friend I call reliable says they work really well.

 

I have been pointed in the direction of a few sellers for around $115.00 give or take. Been kinda looking at warranties. Most sellers on e-bay only giving 30 to 60 days mony back and thats it. The Champions ones are a little more $ and have 60 day mony back, but have a 1 year manufacturer's warranty. I guess your paying for the extra warranty time?

 

I went threw http://www.championradiators.net/servlet/the-template/ourguarantee/Page

they have an ebay site, and a website I choose to call. Which I believe is same place that 69willy's is talking about.

the actual radiator that I got from them was made by American eagle, cooled the buick in 106 degree weather no issue, temp only went up to 200-205.

they do say on their site they will exchange if the radiator fails to cool your engine.

 

I'm old fashioned. I like that I can do strong solder repairs with copper/brass units. Aluminum, not so much. Alumiweld sounds good but doing the active cleaning step is tricky.

And I wonder about longevity in a road-salt climate.

 

I have about 5 years on the aluminum radiator in my 3B and there isn't even a hint of corrosion from road salt, and they now use magnesium chloride brine around here which makes sodium chloride look rather benign.

Don't touch an aluminum version without welded tanks and make sure to change the coolant at least every 3 years and they should last a long time. As noted above they are definately more efficient than a brass version. Running without a thermostat to test it, the aluminum one in my 3B also dropped coolant temp 15 degrees F. I also lost 15 lbs with the aluminum version with both radiators being the exact same overall dimensions.

 

I get all my radiators from Rick's Radiator in Azusa, CA. You spend a little more, but he'll build them anyway you like, brass/aluminum, with or without auto trans coolers, 2, 3, or even 4 core, and to factory dimensions for fitment.

You're generally looking at $400-$500 for a radiator from him, but I've bought five or six from him for various hotrod projects, and never been disappointed.

http://www.classicautoradiator.com/

That being said, my 70 CJ5 still has the stock copper/brass radiator in it. But it's still got a basically stock Dauntless in it as well.