ZZ and Bluegene, I had problems with the drain because I had to move the radiator toward the passenger side. I wonder if the 3 row fits differently. I bought the 2 row because it allowed me to retain the original fan and shroud in the correct location. Dave B, sticker on box says to use ethylene glycol and distilled water and the AE radiators are made in CA.
Some antifreezes don't have additives to protect aluminum, or the antifreeze isn't properly mixed, plus Electrolysis itself will kill the rad.
Dave B, makes sense. I purchased a 50/50 mix designed for aluminum radiators. I assume the same applies with aluminum heads.
For me it comes down to being stuck on the side of the road in the middle of the night.. I have more in my Brass & Copper rad, than those Champion rads sell for online, to save a buck on something like a rad doesn't make sense to me, it'll cost you more in the end..
I have the Champ 3 core and I don't have a problem removing the hose. I think everyone w/ the 3 core has to mod the Xmem to clear the drain plug, or petcock on some earlier versions. Im using elec fan and it's a close fit to the water pump pulley w/ the fan mtd directly to rad. I removed it frm resting against the core and put it on brackets which spaced it abt 1/8 in frm the core. I had to relocate the fan frm center of the rad to the pass side, to clear the w/p pulley.
Folks have been using these Champ rads for a few years as I've read on this forum and I have yet to hear of anyone being stuck on the side of the road, cuz of a rad failure. The main thing I see some folks may have an issue w/ the very non-stock appearance. They do look out of place in these cars IMO. I think ur more likely to have some other issue forcing u to the side of the road than one of these rads failing. Also, eventually any rad will errode frm electrolysis, road salt and age over period of time, regardless of construction materials. That has been my experience over the years.
Dave B, I replaced the almost 40 year old brass/copper radiator that was still working to some degree. I went with aluminum as it cools better. But, I agree, I'm not sure I'll get almost 40 years out of the new one. I'm keeping the old radiator!
The less things that "could" fail, compared to buying something of proven quality, goes a long way with me. I really don't think they have been on the market long enough for me personally, and where they are made also factors into my thinking.
Are u sure that rad had not been to a repair shop and/or it was the one that came in the car? It's hard for me to believe any rad in use for that long cud still be effective.
if brass and copper was a better choice for a radiator, we would still see it in cars today.....just saying
Aluminum is cheaper, and lighter. You can't compare new cars to what we're talking about, it's a whole different ball game.
so what your are saying is that heavier, more expensive is better and its not a different ball game... new cars demand more from their radiators then 90% of our cars... with few race cars being the exception...
Yes, but they are made by companies to the specifications of the auto manufacturers, I have a aluminum rad out of an Explorer, and it's of far better quality than those Champion rads I've seen, and I'm sure it cost about 3 times as much. What were discussing here is aftermarket rads built who knows where, with who knows what kind of material.
Ur right-- alum is cheaper and lighter. Also, brass and copper has better thermal effiency. All that being said, the rad in my 99 windstar is 13 yrs old and still going in a climate where road salt is the "order of the day". It still has the same rad. I suppose they are up to the task they were design for! I can't predict how much longer it will go b4 it "gives up the ghost", but I can't complain if it goes out tommorrow.
