[Spridgets] Aluminum Radiators

[Michael MacLean]

I just got off the phone with a local radiator shop.  I was told a re-core
of my original radiator would cost $3-400.  The reason is the price of
copper and the availability of materials due to the pandemic halting
production.  This is assuming I have a modern type core put in.  The
straight horizontal fin cores are available, but they are used in
industrial applications like fork lifts and farm equipment.  He was honest
enough to say even the Chinese radiator would probably work better than my
20+ year old radiator re-core with horizontal straight fins if the Chinese
radiator had a modern type core in it.  He also said any radiator that
cheap ($170) can only be manufactured outside of the US.  He also said the
cooling efficiency was not that different between copper and aluminum.  So,
now I really don't know which way to go.  I really don't think I need a
$600 aluminum radiator.  I will not be racing this Bugeye.  The problem now
is my MGB GT is running hot too.  Checked timing on both cars.  Top
radiator hose gets hot, so I really don't think the thermostat is a
problem.  Crap.
Mike MacLean

On Mon, Apr 26, 2021, 11:35 AM John OBrien via Spridgets <
spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:

> Michael, I did succumb to the lure of using an Aluminum radiator in my
> bugeye.  I had it built custom, and it was not cheap (don't recall how
> much, but my wife groaned when I told her).  I was attempting to add on a
> Judson Supercharger, and thought I'd need additional cooling capacity.  I
> never could get the engine to run right with the Judson so I took it off.
> I have to say the aluminum radiator keeps everything running cool, so I
> won't be swapping back, but everything I've read says a copper (original
> material) core is the most efficient.  If your car used to run cool, and
> just started having problems keeping up, you might just take the radiator
> to a good old fashioned radiator shop and have it disassembled, rodded out
> and flushed good.  I was having cooling issues on my BJ8, and took my
> radiator to a shop and asked if they could refit it with a higher capacity
> core.  He looked at it and said, "This is a high capacity core, but it is
> clogged up."  after he cleaned it out, it has been handling high
> temperature days, etc. just fine.   Of course the disassembly and cleaning
> may cost nearly the same as one of the Chinese aluminum radiators.
>
> John O'Brien
>
> '61 Bugeye (Lucy)
>
> '65 BJ8 (Madelyn)
>
>
> On 4/26/2021 11:34 AM, Michael MacLean via Spridgets wrote:
>
>      My Bugeye has been running hot in any ambient temperature over 80
> degrees lately.  I have the original radiator that was re-cored with an OEM
> type core almost 25 years ago.  I have been leaning towards getting an
> aluminum radiator.  Moss sells a two row aluminum radiator for $300.  You
> can get a Chinese made Bugeye type radiator on Fleabay for $165 with free
> shipping.  Nevermind the fact Moss charges a $10 oversize fee on top of a
> shipping charge of $27 and then of course California has to get their cut
> ($24).  It adds up.
>      A call to Moss just now was not all that helpful.  I was told that
> all they know is their aluminum radiator comes from Moss Europe.  Other
> than that, they have no idea country of manufacture.  Since both radiators
> are just about the same in construction and core size I am not sure what to
> do here.  With Frank's words on Chinese made crap echoing in my head might
> I be better off getting my original radiator re-cored with an up to date
> core that will have more cooling fin area?  Do the aluminum radiators make
> that much difference?
> Mike MacLean
>
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> --
> John O'Brien
> '61 Bugeye (Lucy)
> '65 BJ8 (Madelyn)
>
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