ebay radiators

[harryc]

anyone have any positive (or negative) experiences (ie. fit, finish, cooling effectiveness etc.) with the aluminum radiators sold on ebay ?

[nkaminar]

I do not have any experience with the aluminum radiators but I do know that you will loose points if you are entering the car for fine point judging.

Search the Barn for "aluminum radiators".

[shew01]

I put an aluminum radiator in my 1957 Fairlane, and it worked well. However, the shiny aluminum just looked weird. In retrospect, I wouldn’t have done it.

If you you decide to paint an aluminum radiator black, be aware that you need to use (usually expensive) radiator paint, probably around $20 for a spray can. The conventional Rustoleum (or similar brands) from Walmart will very likely cause poor heat transfer performance because those paints go on much too thick.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shew01]

By the way, if you are looking at eBay radiators, fit may be more of a problem. The radiator Shell on a Model A can be a real pain if the radiator does fit correctly.

A new radiator from the Model A vendors can cost $600+. An alternative is to take your existing radiator to an “old school” radiator shop (which can be hard to find nowadays) and have the shop replace the core with a new one (and keep your existing top and bottom radiator tanks). The fit will probably be better than an eBay radiator.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jack backer]

I’d give it a whirl.. the aftermarket aluminum ones seem to work well based on what I’ve heard from others. The price for authentic re pops are through the roof, if your building a driver give it a shot, if it works your dollars ahead.

[David R.]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Looks funny but would work I guess. I was thinking about one on a driver AA I’m currently working on but saw a photo of one in an AA and decided against it. I just had my original radiator recored in local shop. Picked it up today. Not cheap but less than a new one and no shipping costs with less wait.

[eagle]

Look this subject up with a search. Several people were well satisfied with them, some not so much. Seems some are made more correct than others, as far as fitment. Use the reviews to see how the buyers liked them. Price is right, and with a light dusting of some black radiator paint I think they'd look ok.

[rich b]

Maybe there are better ones; but most of the aluminum radiators I have seen in A shells miss the boat. Top and/or bottom tanks show and usually the core does not fill the sides and the braces show. And worst is they are all fin between tube construction, not at all what an A radiator should look like.

I have used them in other cars and Rustoleum barbecue grill paint worked for me and covered the brightness which also does not look right in old cars.

[ronn]

bought one about 10 yrs ago for my beater nomad. sprayed it with cheap rustoleum paint and it fit and worked well.

not a bad alternative for a "driver".

[nkaminar]

The rock protecting grill that many people add to the front of their radiator disguises a lot of bad looking radiators and bad looking shells.

[Flathead]

Do they take a stock A radiator cap? The ones I have seen do not.

[ronn]

they do not- adaptation is necessary.

hey mine was 99. 10 yrs ago. cheap

[Dick M]

A friend of mine bought an aluminum radiator off of Ebay for his 28 pickup. Not only did it look funny, there was no way it could ever mount properly. He sent it back. I know if you are on a budget you are trying to do your best. I have been there. My advice is to buy from a your radiator from a reputable supplier.

I purchased the 4 row radiator from Bert's. I climbed a mountain with a 6,000 ft. elevation and I was in 2nd over for the last 10 miles to the summit. The outside temperature was 94 degrees and my A never went over 180 degrees. It cost a bunch but it is worth every penny. I have had this radiator for 4 years and my car has never overheated.

[gdmn852]

Hello, finding an “old school “ radiator shop are getting hard to find just about 6 months ago I took Model A radiator in for repair and they did a nice job,was thinking of getting a spare radiator gone through but waited too long, out of business now. I have seen the aluminum radiators on Model A s and don’t seem to fit the shells.

[rich b]

Stone guards hiding a poor fitting radiator are like crooked toupee on a bald fellow.

[GeneBob]

Originally Posted by rich b

Stone guards hiding a poor fitting radiator are like crooked toupee on a bald fellow.

Hey, I resemble that remark.
I painted the stone guard mesh black to make it look more correct. It did look better but it made the radiator look dirty.
I am glad the OP asked the question, I have wondered the same thing.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by rich b

Stone guards hiding a poor fitting radiator are like crooked toupee on a bald fellow.

LOL Good analogy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ronn]

Stone guards hiding a poor fitting radiator are like crooked toupee on a bald fellow.

but, everyone becomes a looker and a talker........!

stirs up the crowd

[shew01]

Originally Posted by ronn

Stone guards hiding a poor fitting radiator are like crooked toupee on a bald fellow.

but, everyone becomes a looker and a talker........!

stirs up the crowd

I suppose so. ;-)




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ronn]

shew, did you install it upside down or is the gyro broken?