Radiator question...

So my first wheeling adventure this weekend ended with coolant pouring out of my radiator. Not the end I had in mind.

I just had the rad rebuilt with a triple core, and what I think happened is that I jolted the set up going over a bump, and the twin flex-a-lite fans bumped into (touched) and sliced the outermost cores. Certainly, there are lines all round the rad where the edges of the fan were spinning.

Anyway, I tried a trail fix of ripping some fins out and rolling up about 4 of the vertical cores, but coolant was still pouring out.

I guess what I am saying, is that I think the rad is toasted.

The question I have for you guys, is would you get the rad re-built and re-cored or would you stump up the cash for a new rad entirely? If you were going new, are the aluminum ones worth the extra cash? Bear in mind I have the AMC 360 V8 so it generates some heat...

Opinions welcomed as always.

SA

p.s. The wheeling was awesome fun up to that point...

 

New comes with warranty. Personally, if I had to do that much of a trail fix I would pony up for new at this point....and also try to fix the fan issue before it happens again.

No comment on aluminum.

 

I would seal the four ribbons and see if it would over heat first before buying an other one. I ran one with five ribbon sealed and it didn't over heat,but it was a Chevy truck.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70-7...0605677?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories

Great price, and fair quality. I would recommend these to anyone looking for a cheap aluminum. I bought the 2 core for my 75 cj5, $158 shipped. Its no "Be Cool", but pretty good quality. Good luck.

 

So I've bought a replacement rad. (Sorry John, I got one locally and didn't go for the aluminum version this time - thanks for the pointer though).

Anyone got any tips / hints for easy ways of replacing the rad? I think it should be pretty straightforward, but then again I am a fool with a wrench...

Anything I should watch out for, or is it as easy as it looks?

SA

 

How does the rest of the cooling system look?
If it is an unknown quantity, I'd do at least a new water pump and thermostat while you are in there.
The radiator itself may be quite easy if it is somewhat original configuration.

 

Over heating-aluminum vs copper radiators, I posted a topic over in early Cj 5 gruop you may find to helpfull or not, dealing with the AL vs copper Radiator issue
Not to hijack your thread just a FYI..

 

Copper conducts heat better then aluminum... people just like aluminum because it looks nice. The K value (thermal conductivity) is almost twice that of aluminum.

 

I just put a 3 core aluminum in my 5 to keep the 304 cool. Will that work alrigh or should I have went with a copper one?