Rad options

[ludite]

Hello everybody,
I've got a pretty bad leak on the original brass rad on my 84, I thought I'd clean it up and see where exactly is coming from and in doing so have realized just how rotten it is, half the fins are blowing out with a little compressed air nothing left but paint holding dust together. Anyways it's got the odd ball 37"wide rad, there's two on rock auto, an aluminum one from Agility and a copper from Spectra. Does anybody have experience with either brand? The aluminum is a few hundred cheaper.

I called the local rad fixing guy and his advice was to run a lower pressure cap and just go but I plan to keep the truck for the next hundred years so would like a proper fix. He said the Spectra rads weren't built very strong and tend to last only a few years max.

 

[KansasIDI]

Never heard of Agility

I use Spectra rads, but have the square version, aluminum with big cores.

Never gets hot.

I have all new cooling system components on my 91, fought that on my 86 until everything had been replaced, when I got the 91, didn’t have any problems with its cooling system, but replaced it all anyways

 

[u2slow]

I put a Spectra in my '93 dodge around May 2018. Copper/brass. Its been fine.

I got a welded aluminum one for my '90 project dodge (summit racing) for the nice price-point. No miles yet.

 

[Kdo58]

CDD 6.9/7.3 IDI 4 Row Aluminum Radiator Upgrade

Temporarily Discontinued until International Trade Relations Resume Normalcy CDD's 4 Row Radiators have landed and are ready for the summer heat! These radiators are each individually pressure tested in house, come with the correct billet transmission cooler line adapters, all aluminum...

classicdieseldesigns.com

 

[ROCK HARVEY]

I have a champion 3 row in mine. The previous owner installed it so no idea how long it’s been in the truck. No issues yet!

 

[IDIBRONCO]

CDD 6.9/7.3 IDI 4 Row Aluminum Radiator Upgrade

Temporarily Discontinued until International Trade Relations Resume Normalcy CDD's 4 Row Radiators have landed and are ready for the summer heat! These radiators are each individually pressure tested in house, come with the correct billet transmission cooler line adapters, all aluminum...

classicdieseldesigns.com

These won't work for his short, wide radiator.

 

[ludite]

Yea kdo I saw those and they do look nice but aren't the right size without switching out rad supports. I did find a used original rad local for a reasonable deal, going to pick it up Saturday if it looks alright. If I've got two maybe I can fix one while the others in service.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

At least you'll have options while still driving your truck.

 

[JPM4]

Has anyone tried the Spectra CU1166? Looks like Brass/copper 4 core. At $570, it's not cheap, but it's the only Brass/Copper/4 Core that I've found.

More Information for SPECTRA PREMIUM CU1166

 

[MtnHaul]

The CU1166 seems like a decent price if the construction is quality, but the short and wide radiators are less common in my experience. Most folks seem to need the more square radiator style. FWIW I have had a 2-row aluminum Spectra plastic tank model for the last 8 years or so and no problems, but I also don't live where it gets real cold so no extreme cold cycles. At this point I don't know if it makes sense to pay more just to have brass/copper when so many people run aluminum without problems. Just my .02

 

[franklin2]

Just remember when you switch to aluminum you might have to change the formulation of your coolant. Some of that green coolant you guys use with the additive does not have any aluminum protection in it.

 

[Nero]

Also adding a ground strap to an aluminum radiator is a must. Very overlooked. Doesnt need to be heavy gauge.

 

[Clb]

Look up my radiator thread, and once you find a radio free American shop life will be better than Mr.Lazy you found...