Aluminum Radiator Vs. Stock Radiator...old rad has leak

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Fiat88

Aluminum Radiator Vs. Stock Radiator...old rad has leak

Post by Fiat88 »

So, yesterday I noticed that while stopped at a red light my temp. guage was creeping towards the red zone. I Assume my fan wasn't coming on, after gaining some speed the temp came down as I was getting more air flow. Every light after that the temp stayed in the middle, so when I came back to the garage and opened the hood I noticed that there was some evidence of dried antifreeze because I'd seen some speckled dots of white powder on the hoses and on my aluminum water pump pulley. I then checked underneath the radiator and saw a slight drop of antifreeze hit the pavement. So, the radiator core is leaking somewhere and the fan is probably blowing antifreeze everywhere. I probably should of had it pressure tested when I had it out of the car but too late now. :x

So, now I'm looking into buying a brand new radiator, rather buy new then used in this case. Probably in month or so because I might not be able to put it in until then and need to save up some cash. :lol: I noticed a few vendors that sell new aluminum radiators, is there any real advantage over them other then lighter weight then just buying a new stock brass radiator?

BTW, my car does have an automatic trans but the PO had put a rad from a manual car in and seperate transmission oil cooler in front. I'll probably buy a manual radiator version but depending on price might go for the automatic radiator version as don't really like having the seperate trans oil cooler in front blocking the air flow.

Interested in your opinions! Thanks.
Last edited by Fiat88 on Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
So Cal Mark

Re: Aluminum Radiator Vs. Stock Radiator...old rad has leak

Post by So Cal Mark »

you may have trouble finding an auto trans rad without paying alot for it. Weight is the big factor with aluminum. Cost is another. We're working on an aluminum rad conversion and it will sell for about half of what the brass/copper unit costs
Fiat88

Re: Aluminum Radiator Vs. Stock Radiator...old rad has leak

Post by Fiat88 »

So Cal Mark wrote:you may have trouble finding an auto trans rad without paying alot for it. Weight is the big factor with aluminum. Cost is another. We're working on an aluminum rad conversion and it will sell for about half of what the brass/copper unit costs
Good to know! :D
BEEK
Posts: 1833
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Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: Aluminum Radiator Vs. Stock Radiator...old rad has leak

Post by BEEK »

aluminum crossflow radiator?
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
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SLOSpider
Posts: 1140
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:10 am
Your car is a: 1973 124 Spider 2.0FI
Location: Lompoc, Ca USA

Re: Aluminum Radiator Vs. Stock Radiator...old rad has leak

Post by SLOSpider »

I have a good used one to get you by if you want $80.00 shipped. Brian
1975 124 Spider
1976 Mazda Cosmo http://www.mazdacosmo.com
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v6spider
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Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:57 pm
Your car is a: 4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
Location: Mount Vernon WA

Re: Aluminum Radiator Vs. Stock Radiator...old rad has leak

Post by v6spider »

Check with BeCool... I think they make a universal fit radiator that is 19" wide by 22" tall which is the right height and width for a stock spider. you might be able to look it up on http://www.jegs.com.

I am considering using an all-aluminum radiator for an sr5 toyota 4runner with a 3.0 engine. it is a little taller and wider but I am going to refabricate the front radiator support so that I can mount it angled forward so that it may fit under the hood. I bought one from a company on ebay that sells them for $80.00 shipped for my 89 4runner. Cheaper than the stock brass rediator from NAPA...and the cooling is way more efficient than its brass counterpart.

Rob
http://www.v6spider.com
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
zachmac
Posts: 1278
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Your car is a: 1978 Spider [1979 2 ltr engine]
Location: Aiken, SC

Re: Aluminum Radiator Vs. Stock Radiator...old rad has leak

Post by zachmac »

Or you could do the Volve radiator swap that is detailed on the Miafiori site?
Jeff Klein, Aiken, SC
1980 FI Spider, Veridian with Tan (sold about a year ago), in the market for another project
1989 Spider, sold
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