Recommend source for replacement radiator

[stanrob]

At 304,600 miles, my 85 4WD's radiator has lost most of its capacity, can't keep up with highway drive on very hot day.
Summer is here!
I am seeing inconsistent info about which model radiator is required.
Does the RockAuto ADPI/PRO 8010813 ($80.79+S/H) do the job, and is there a better deal somewhere?

[irowiki]

http://www.amazon.com/Spectra-Premium-C ... automotive

[Petros]

as our cars age the options you have for new radiators are getting less, but make sure you get a double row radiator, not a single row. Double row core is about 1.25" or more thick, single row is about 5/8" thick.

I have used all metal bronze ones (more expensive) and aluminum core with plastic header tanks, both work and seem to hold up okay (the factory radiator had plastic header tanks with bronze core). The aluminum ones are less costly and weight less, and seem to cool just as good. I do not know how long they last, if you change the coolant every 2 years likely it will not corrode or have durability issues.

[stanrob]

Petros, my OEM radiator is single row and less than an inch thick. It worked fine for 29+ years, 20 of which were in southern California. What would be the advantage of insisting on two rows if I can find them? Do you agree with Irowiki's recommendation?

Irowiki, I can't tell from the catalogs whether your recommended Spectra Premium CU713 is single or double row, or what it's made of either. Do you, or does anybody, know this, or what it's made from? Amazon seems to have a lot of these available, but they "need more information" (how?) in order to confirm that it fits my car!

[rer233]

I've run plenty of single row radiators for years- never a problem unless it's clogged. Buy a new one & you'll be ready to go. (I get mine from advance auto-prob. a local chain- usually runs about $80.) With all the tercs i have, i keep one in stock- i HATE the letters NLA (no longer available) but i run into them alot.

Hope this helps.

[irowiki]

The CU813 is a "semi" double row, as it is thicker than the stock. Looking in it, you can see the rows separated in the middle. Using it in one of my tercels. Here's more info:

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/morein ... 432&jpid=1

Probably cheapest at rockauto with the discount code.

[dlb]

i've had no problems with single row radiators. and increased engine cooling is only a good thing when it is likely to run hot often, like consistently hot environments. otherwise you end up running below normal operating temps, increasing fuel consumption.

[irowiki]

Down in New Mexico, with going over the mountains, it is hot a lot!

[dlb]

Down in New Mexico, with going over the mountains, it is hot a lot!

that's a fine reason for insisting on a double row rad. i'm saying that in a lot of driving situations (cold and moderate climates, gentle driving), a double row is not necessary.

[stanrob]

Once again, a conversation with you guys has helped me wake up to things I should have
considered to begin with. I really appreciate the work you've put into this.
There seems to be an open controversy about desirability of thick versus thin radiators.

The Spectra Premium 318, the easiest choice for new, appears to be thick. But let's
consider that controversy anyway.

Here in New England, we already face a range of -20F to +100F. With global climate
change, we have to expect more extremes in both directions.

Is it good logic that one needs a thick radiator for the hottest days but would save gas
with a thin radiator for the remainder of the year? I don't think so, and here's my
reasoning why: the thermostat (if working properly) blocks circulation of heat to the
radiator while the engine warms up. The rest of the time it regulates circulation to
maintain optimum engine temperature. Accordingly, it doesn't matter whether the radiator
runs cool; it only matters whether it can keep up when running hot. I invite you to tell
me how I'm wrong.

Meanwhile, I'm finally waking up to another resource only 50 feet outside my door: my
1983 Tercel Hatchback with a rotten body, broken windshield, tree damage on top, and
frozen rear wheels, right in the driveway, retired in 2010. At 98k miles, it has a
solid-looking 1.25" thick radiator with the right width and height. Initially I hadn't
considered it because it's thicker than what I'm replacing! Well, it's there for the
plucking. I have a supply of stopleak. Worth at least a try!

[dlb]

i agree with the theory of what you're saying stanrob, but i've found in practice that in extreme cold temps like anything below -20 C, the only way i could get the engine up to normal operating temps was to block the radiator. i guess this is because the t-stat is not a perfect seal, and always allows at least a small amount of coolant to move through the rad. i learned the common practice from other locals and zip-tied a piece of cardboard over the grill of my car for the winter. it's because of that experience that i think that engines operating in climates that range from colds like that to highs of 30 C in the summer won't benefit from a double row rad.

but like i also said, if you deal with consistently hotter temps, you probably will benefit from it at those times. i am only pointing out that not everyone needs double row rads.

[stanrob]

Thank you!
I was wondering whether thermostats really close.
Also, I've never had a double row in the 10 years I've used this car, including heavy loads going up hills at highway speed.
But the Spectra is thick (whether double row or not). Can you tell who is selling thin radiators?

[irowiki]

Go through all the ones at rockauto, and see if they list the thickness. Not many choices available anymore I'm afraid.

[rer233]

don't use the the stop leak.

[xirdneh]

get the tranny out of that hatchback
most of the parts are interchangeable with 4wd tranny
at 98,000 the synchros should be almost like new and they are not available anymore
if they were available a set for whole tranny would be over 100.00