Alum rad

[gert]

Has anyone used the Griffin Aluminum radiators on their CJs??? I am looking to equip the 360 with the below radiator Griffin Aluminum Musclecar Radiators 5-273LC-FXX - SummitRacing.com any other brands that you guys have used and liked?? Thanks

 

[jasonmark1993]

Ive never used Griffin. Not sure what they think is so special about their aluminum. I found an alum rad on ebay at Radiatorsforless. Bolted up perfect and then I bought a flex a lite dual fan setup off Amazon. Highest I saw was @ 210' in stop and go traffic in 110' weather. Should be about 200 bucks.

 

[CJ]

If I were to buy an aluminum radiator and dindn't mind spending a few extra bucks I would always get a cross flow type. Summits cross flow is $300 (the lower inlet size looks wrong though). Not sure if the cross flow option would mean that much to you though. -->> Summit Racing® Direct Fit Aluminum Radiators SUM-380489 - SummitRacing.com

 

[jeepboy45]

I just bought and installed a Champion 3 row aluminum radiator from ebay.
Paid $213 shipped.

Once I got my electric fan issues worked out, it sits at 185 - 190 degrees all day !! For the very first time since I've owned it (since 1986) it is actually cooling well !!

Good radiator.

I agree with Jasonmark....not sure why summit is sooo proud of their aluminum..

 

[Incommando]

The aluminum may or may not be more valuable from one to the other but I have seen issues with how the pieces are assembled/bonded together in cheaper versions.

 

[jasonmark1993]

Think mine may be a champion as well.

This one was fully welded; I guess some companies use epoxy or something to seal at the tanks sometimes?

Ive only had mine for about 500 miles so time will tell how good the welds are; look good from the outside though.

The factory radiator cooled great on my AMC 304 ; PO had a fan failure that damaged the core so I decided to replace it while I was at it. Id run the stocker and see how it cools.

 

[jeepboy45]

The aluminum may or may not be more valuable from one to the other but I have seen issues with how the pieces are assembled/bonded together in cheaper versions.

Thats what I've heard.....The Champion "looks" like really nice welds everywhere. And they are good at advertising their product!! For whatever thats worth!!

Think mine may be a champion as well.

This one was fully welded; I guess some companies use epoxy or something to seal at the tanks sometimes?

Ive only had mine for about 500 miles so time will tell how good the welds are; look good from the outside though.

Funny, I've had mine for only about 125 miles... Curious to see how it performs in the the Fl summers. But for now, its fine.

 

[gert]

Thanks for the replies guys, I will look into the champion radiator. I would like to buy one radiator and it work for a long time and keep my 360 cool even in the hot Texas summers

 

[Kilo19]

What's the pros/cons of an alum compared to, say a 3 row copper /brass rad. Other then the obvious, expense

 

[gert]

The weld/braze joints in the brass radiator soak up heat and do not allow the brass radiator to cool as effectively as an aluminum radiator, the aluminum allows the radiator to cool 25% better than copper...also it weighs less to not that matters much in a jeep

 

[jasonmark1993]

I was in El Centro which is the same climate as Phoenix or Vegas, only difference was it was a hole.

Brand new engine, underdrive pullies, stop and go traffic

Just moved to El Paso and it doesnt go over 195 now.