Replacement Radiator

[Dr Jekkyl]

I was embarking on replacing my rad hoses this morning and the top rad hose outlet disintegrated.

I figure that now I am going to have to replace the rad.

I am not sure what replacement rad to buy though. I run a PWR trans cooler in series with the rad but now think I will bypass the rad.

Would I now buy a rad minus the internal trans-cooler component?

Does such a product exist?

Finally, are there any brands of rad I should avoid?

Thanks again.

[Beer Baron]

I bought a ford rad when mine split. Buy a manual falcon rad that wont have the cooler inside it.

[TICK4D]

You can just get the end tank changed over, instead of a new radiator, but a radiator shop would have to do it, and they'd rather sell you another one.
Personally i'd buy a genuine Ford one (manual, without the inbuilt cooler) like Beer Baron said.
And definitely just use the PWR cooler, as the auto radiators have a tendancy to split inside, and mix your auto fluid with coolant.

[Whoosha]

Got mine off Fleabay for $80 2 years ago . no problems
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_n....c0.m270.l1313

[mongrelEF]

Assuming you have the cash, get a rad shop to fit ally side tanks. Expensive, but those stupid plastic tanks'll never crumble again!

[Mechan1k]

Replace the rad with a better unit from NatRad or the likes ... I went with one of their ADRAD units ... no plastic end tanks ... better internals.

I'd suggest getting a manual version as well and just bypass the transcooler lines from the rad altogether.

[Dr Jekkyl]

Anyone have opinions on either Repco or 'Motorcool' radiators.

My local Autopro have the motorcool ones and reckon they are rebadged Jayrad units........but my ********-o-meter went off and I thought I would come here and ask first!

[jcto]

I got one on special from ADRAD....copper core and brass tanks for $180.00, helps to know people in the industry and picked up from ADRAD on cash sale. This is of course in Perth.

[Beer Baron]

Originally Posted by jcto

I got one on special from ADRAD....copper core and brass tanks for $180.00, helps to know people in the industry and picked up from ADRAD on cash sale. This is of course in Perth.

I'd pay that in a flash. My ford rad cost me $220 and its plastic tanks.

[mik]

imo if the radiator is that old that the end tanks are crumbling, it`s time for a new radiator, i would`nt bother with fitting new end tanks.
i`don`t know if any of you guys think the same, , but i have a use by date in mind for these alloy cored radiators, my first one i found a pin hole so small it was`nt really leaking any noticeable amount, but had a small green deposit of dried coolant colored bird poo on the core of the radiator at about 5/6 years old,

but it was definatly on the way out,
i only found it because i was fitting an oil cooler at the time, i`m in 2 minds about getting an after market one with a copper core, i don`t think there is much cost difference between them and the factory alloy one.

[Beer Baron]

Originally Posted by mik

imo if the radiator is that old that the end tanks are crumbling, it`s time for a new radiator, i would`nt bother with fitting new end tanks.
i`don`t know if any of you guys think the same, , but i have a use by date in mind for these alloy cored radiators, my first one i found a pin hole so small it was`nt really leaking any noticeable amount, but had a small green deposit of dried coolant colored bird poo on the core of the radiator at about 5/6 years old,

but it was definatly on the way out,
i only found it because i was fitting an oil cooler at the time, i`m in 2 minds about getting an after market one with a copper core, i don`t think there is much cost difference between them and the factory alloy one.

The copper cored/tanked rad in my corolla lasted 41 years and the copper rad in my paj lasted 24 years. Alloy rad in AU 8 years.

[mik]

good stuff, thx Beer Baron, you made up my mind for me, i`ll go the copper, for my next one, all this modern light weight alloy and plastic.... progress.....eek