New Aluminum Radiator vs Old Brass Radiator

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g0thiac

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Sep 6, 2020
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My '88 Caprice is slowly starting to leak out of the radiator tank, it's not a huge one but it's in the plastic part.

It's a CU920 Spectra Premium unit, that's definitely seen use. My question is, should I find an old brass one, that's had light usage or get another aftermarket? Curious to hear your opinions.
 

Ribbedroof

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Last new brass one I bought (18 years ago) had tanks that were as thin as paper.

IMO, the plastic/aluminum versions have proven their fitness in millions of cars over the last 40 years. Only had one with a pinhole leak (in the plastic tank), it was 18 years old at the time and original to the car.
 
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ck80

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You left out the third option, an all-aluminum radiator (tanks and core), which I would vote for with two big core tubes.

Barring that, plastic/aluminum are so much cheaper than brass/copper you can afford to replace it several times in the same life span.
 
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lilbowtie

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I have a Campion aluminum radiator that's about 20 years old (bought from Ram chargers). If you want brass go with a re-core. What ever you do put in should be just fine.
 
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69hurstolds

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You probably won't go wrong by getting another radiator like you had. Just make sure to use coolant compatible with aluminum.
 
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