Aluminum Radiators

[Omie01]

I'm seeing a lot of Aluminum radiators from various online stores in the $125-$200 price range, and summit wants $343 for theirs. Is their any reason not to go with a cheaper Radiator? Any suggestions/experiences? Thanks.

 

[mpbsr]

I'm seeing a lot of Aluminum radiators from various online stores in the $125-$200 price range, and summit wants $343 for theirs. Is their any reason not to go with a cheaper Radiator? Any suggestions/experiences? Thanks.

Maybe Summits is built in the USA and the others aren't?

 

[jbojo]

Are they universal or direct fit? Direct fit have the fittings in the proper locations and are bolt on. I got the BeCool radiator and it slipped right in and is rated up to 750HP. It has a lot of cross-flow tubes and additional fluid capacity. Post the ones that you are looking at.

 

[Totalled]

I got a cheaper "Northern" brand from e-bay for a "ford intermediate" application. I had to re-bend the trans lines and the stock fan shroud does not fit.

 

[Omie01]

I don't know how to post the ones I am looking at, but they do appear to be direct fit, One even has little pads welded to it to use our radiator mounts. I will see if I can figure out how to post a couple here.

 

[tony-muscle]

I don't know how to post the ones I am looking at, but they do appear to be direct fit, One even has little pads welded to it to use our radiator mounts. I will see if I can figure out how to post a couple here.

Highlight the page address that shows up at the top of the browser and then paste it in the post.

1971 M-code Mach 1

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

My neighbor is a machinist who spend years as a QA guy at Harrison Radiator. When I spent big bucks on an aluminum Griffin radiator for my 69 resto mod vert he stopped over to check it out.

What I learned is that the fins all have distinctive structural mini stamping that affects airflow which in the end determines the cooling efficiency of the core. (BTW: the Griffin had excellent structural stamping). His job used to involve checking other manufacturers for infringing on copyrighted fin structure. There is also fin thickness, fin angle, metal composition, etc to take into account.

So, as usual, it comes down to you get what you pay for. For example, if the fins are smooth, the air flow will be too fast and have minimal cooling effect. If it is made properly (something that might be lacking in overseas products), it should work fine. Just throwing this in for consideration.

 

[c9zx]

Many of the inexpensive radiators have "plastic" tanks as do many newer OEM radiators. While it may work, I feel it would look terrible. Just one opinion. Chuck

 

[Omie01]

http://performancecooling.com/1971-1972-1973-ford-mustang-3-row-all-aluminum-radiator/ I was thinking about this radiator, seems nice at a good price.

 

[jbojo]

http://performancecooling.com/1971-1972-1973-ford-mustang-3-row-all-aluminum-radiator/ I was thinking about this radiator, seems nice at a good price.

Just looking at this briefly one thing sticks out really quick for me. The mounting for the radiator uses two brackets to attach it and the pic of the radiator you listed shows you might have to modify it. My radiator is flat on the top and bottom so it fits in the stock location. I have circled the two mounts that I am referring to.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

I bought a griffin and I have been very happy with it.

for an automatic http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gri-8-70087/overview/year/1973/make/ford/model/mustang

for a manual http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gri-8-00087/overview/year/1973/make/ford/model/mustang

Lower hose fitment was ever so slightly off as the lower neck angled a bit on mine, but I found a hose that would fit when trimmed slightly.

I used an electric fan set up. To use a stock shroud you would have to do a little tinkering

 

[basstrix]

I bought a griffin and I have been very happy with it.

for an automatic http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gri-8-70087/overview/year/1973/make/ford/model/mustang

for a manual http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gri-8-00087/overview/year/1973/make/ford/model/mustang

Lower hose fitment was ever so slightly off as the lower neck angled a bit on mine, but I found a hose that would fit when trimmed slightly.

I used an electric fan set up. To use a stock shroud you would have to do a little tinkering

This particular PN has a clause about possible mods for mounting. Did yours require any mods?

 

[jbojo]

I bought a griffin and I have been very happy with it.

for an automatic http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gri-8-70087/overview/year/1973/make/ford/model/mustang

for a manual http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gri-8-00087/overview/year/1973/make/ford/model/mustang

Lower hose fitment was ever so slightly off as the lower neck angled a bit on mine, but I found a hose that would fit when trimmed slightly.

I used an electric fan set up. To use a stock shroud you would have to do a little tinkering

This particular PN has a clause about possible mods for mounting. Did yours require any mods?

also doesn't the inlet and outlet diameter need to be 1 1/2"? The one listed has a 1 3/4" outlet.

 

[Omie01]

I'm thinking those 2 little brackets welded on top of the reservoirs are the mounting points for our brackets.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

It mounted fine. but the hold down brackets needed to be bent open a bit as the radiator is thicker, the hose needed is different. I didn't mount a shroud as I'm using an electric fan with a built in shroud and I did fabricate a couple of brackets to hold it. No biggie.

For the lower radiator hose I used an O'Reilleys Master pro part number 20694 lower hose from which I cut about an inch and a half from both ends. With the ends lubed with dish soap and the short bend side on the water pump it fit without any binding or kinking at all. It is the larger size of the new radiator outlet so it was much easier than trying to wrestle the factory hose on. My car is running v belts, underdrive pulleys and manual steering so your experience may vary, but the overal hose position is roughly the same as stock.

 

[eddyw]

I used this copper radiator made in the US and i'm very satisfied with the cooling capacity, size-fitting and look is very good also the fittings for the hoses and tranny lines are perfect.

radiator 8005-1KH by NPD

http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-wanted-radiator

you can see also the movie in this thread.

 

[DK73]

Wow that is so awesome video off that factory! Eddyw [THUMBS UP SIGN] Regards Lars DK73

Sendt fra min D2005 med Tapatalk

 

[Omie01]

https://www.radiatorexpress.com/product.asp?part_id=221317&aaia_id=1497168&gclid=Cj0KEQjwy92wBRCl7trx4PaIo8EBEiQASPhtC_gHPCX0IKWIj93dujVnYlM88Uf52uw1srDbX-uieGMaAs5s8P8HAQ

Then there is this one, they al seem to have 1 1/2" inlet/outlets.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Well it is a good price. Then again, you might look at the difference in the quality of the welds and then question what else is different.

If you are on a tight budget that might work.

Also, though others may disagree with me, if you are running a larger capacity radiator with larger tubes, you also need to be running a high volume water pump.

Cheapest way to do most things is do it right and do it once.