Installed new radiator

[320iAman]

This is an aluminum radiator. This radiator has the same dimensions as the OEM radiator(2" thick) except it 2.5" thick-100% tig welded in vacuum brazing furnace and has twin 1 inch" tubes-winner_racing_manufacturer on ebay, oem has twin 5/8" tubes, there are several on eBay yet beware only the 2.5" thick radiator will work with standard radiator fan, the 3.3 in thick one you'll need to wire in an electric fan. The radiator install involved bending down the bottom radiator brackets( really easy) to level or so and then installing, need to put in supports, rubber foam ,shims, ect to cover the distance from the bottom of the radiator to the brackets, small distance left,, I cut out two 18 ga sheet metal pieces and used JB weld to secure the bottom of the radiator in. Standard small radiator holds less than 2 gallons, this radiator fills up around 3 gallons--engine ,heater core, radiator and hoses. The 2.5 " radiator is going for $330( got mine early bird ~$230, there were two NJ warehouse), 3.3" thick one $230.00 and has 3 rows of 5/8" tubes. There is 1/2" in between the fan blade and the radiator core with 2.5" thick aluminum radiator. I checked all dimensions out before I this one, so I knew what I was getting into.

If one opts for the electric fan the wiring is already there for the supplementary fan with 30 Amp relay to run it, if one want to install a thermocouple which kicks the fan on at a set temperature say 165 F that can be done as well , a switch should be installed to turn on and off the fan from inside the cabin on the drivers side, use at least 30 amp switch if not going thermocouple. There kits for these using thermocouple with adjustable temperature and plain switch ones.. thermocouple setup is more expensive and the thermocouple( temperature probe) fits in radiator next to a tube to read the temperature.

Oh FYI The PRC adopted BMW as there official car, so chances are PRC made BMW goodies are going to be good quality still have to keep a sharp eye.

eBay link to the one I have installed. If they go out of stock contact them, they will make more. 2nd thread 49 available.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/273948891592

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15386889093...3ABFBMmIaX9slg



$_32.JPG Twin 1"tubes IMG_20220725_200537_349.jpg Installed and filled with 50/50 coolant ~ 3 gals.

Randy

From griffin radiator co:

Is aluminum car radiator better than copper?


An aluminum radiator does cool better than a copper brass radiator. For example, an aluminum radiator with 2 rows of 1" tubes is equivalent to a copper brass radiator with 5 rows of 1/2" tubes. Aluminum provides high efficiency, is lightweight, and has a longer life compared to copper brass.

[ascot]

Is it made in China? If not, where is it made?

[okieflats]

Is it made in China? If not, where is it made?

Located in: Linyi, Shandong, China. That is where it is from.

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You are ready to participate in some side shows now Randy.

[320iAman]

Yes, its made in PRC. lol , sideshow or nor not. I got tired of seeing my engine temperature gauge in between 1/2 and 3/4 on hot days, now its on the other side in between 1/4 and 1/2. These stock radiators are too small, now its lookin good in the neighborhood. Custom made one here to same specifications would cost around 1 grand.

Randy

[Opal82]

The 3 Row aluminum radiator from CHR Racing fits the same way. Drops right in, just have to remove the rubber pads and bend the bottom radiator mounts. I used pliers and added a thick piece of adhesive backed foam tape.
The only issue I had was that the radiator arrived with no plugs/caps for the bottom ports. The threaded caps from the original radiator were slightly smaller. I ended up using rubber end caps attached with clamps.

It's run for more than 18 months with no problems. It doesn't overheat now; however, it runs at 3/4 all the time.
Maybe I need to try a 2 Row core instead, I sure would like it to run closer to 1/2 temp.

Rob

valve2.jpg

[320iAman]

I seen the CHR racing ones, I like the twin 1" ones-better cooling-same procedure you mentioned to install. My stock radiator was running at 1/2- 3/4 mark, more towards the 3/4 mark on 90F plus days now on the flip side in between the 1/4 and 1/2 mark .. They sold lots at $230.00, now higher.

A fan shroud will help otherwise the air pull through the radiator is not optimal, bag one. I believe 1977-79 had them and 1980-83 did not. I got mine from 1977-79 from bav auto recycle when they were up and running, maybe still available new, not sure.

Randy

[jakub421]

Hey Opal82! I had the same issue with my CHRacing radiator…it always ran “hot” for whatever reason.
Decided to switch back to my original radiator, still interested in find an aluminum one though.

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Hey Opal82! I had the same issue with my CHRacing radiator…it always ran “hot” for whatever reason.
Decided to switch back to my original radiator, still interested in find an aluminum one though.

[320iAman]

drivin Home from some work today and 82 F,, I had to look several times at the temperature gauge it was a little over the quarter line, usually dont see that except in the mornings 50-60F.

Randy