I need to replace the radiator in the trusty 90 pickup. Never had an overheating problem, the radiator cooling vanes are disintegrating. The plastic tank models don't look good so I'm thinking a three tube aluminum radiator. EBay has them for pretty reasonable prices.
Any thoughts on aluminum radiators and/or buying one on eBay?

 

I bought the KKS Motorsports radiator for mine. It has nice stamped tanks like you would find on an OEM tank and the fit is perfect. It even has the hanger tabs to make it easier to bolt in. It is a good bit thicker than stock though so if your running an e-fan at all it may not work with your current setup. If you still have the mechanical fan then it'll fit perfect.

 

Depends If you only venture to the far reaches of the mall go for it .

My one experience with a aluminum radiator cured me

Just poor bad luck something got kicked up on the road put a nice size hole away from home towing into town and the fact no one local even would attempt a repair/

same issue a few years before Copper Brass drain clean solder pretty much on my way

Even more so if you venture into the woods

Buying from Ebay anymore it seems leaving any negative feed back is almost impossible

 

Yeah the repair factor of an aluminum radiator is a downside. It can be done but it has to be done by somebody with the special tools and skills to do it. The brass and copper CSF radiator has many great reviews. As far as I know the only other brass and copper to choose from is OEM. You could go with a Plastic one from the parts stores with a lifetime warranty. That can help with getting your truck fixed quickly but they seem to be quite unreliable. Sometimes they last almost forever. Sometimes they last a few weeks. They're quite the gamble. If you do still decide on the all aluminum go with the KKS. They cost only a little bit more but they are a lot nicer. I've seen a lot of fitment and leak issues with the Champion based ones.

 

Plastic tank jobbers from the auto parts stores with lifetime warranty, or just bite the bullet, and buy a CSF brass/copper radiator. When the plastic I have in my truck bites the dust, it's CSF for me because my local radiator shop can repair them cheap enough.

 

I realize aluminum is harder to fix, but finding a good radiator repair shop anywhere to repair a radiator is hard to find. When radiators cost $125, why fix them? I'm going to try an aluminum one. I have JB Weld in case of leaks!

Do you paint the radiator?

 

Don't paint the radiator. I can only reduce heat transfer.

 

I ordered a KKS radiator on eBay. I have a manual transmission so it was pretty reasonably priced. We'll see how it goes.

Black vs. unpainted seems to be a topic. Probably not much performance difference in a vehicle like this.

 

I tried the aluminum ones and had nothing but heartache and replacement headaches. Bit the bullet and bought the Copper/Brass and never looked back.

 

Put in an aluminum one several years ago... no problems

 

^^ This seems to be the theme with these aluminum radiators (either all aluminum or plastic tank, aluminum core).

Some have had great success while others have many problems.

In the end, it comes down to build quality. Aluminum as a material itself has desirable properties for heat transfer.

 

Don't bother with painting it. I have heard about the black working better and while it may be true, you're more likely to actually insulate it with paint. Besides, the KKS radiator has way more than enough cooling capacity for these engines.

 

I'm going to keep the old brass/copper one until I'm sure the aluminum one will work. Maybe even have it repaired.

 

do yourself a favor and rinse out that new radiator with a garden hose to get all of the aluminum residue (dust) out of it before you install it. Flush & fill with distilled water & toyota red coolant.

 

Got the radiator installed. Made sure it fit (in case of yet another eBay return), flushed it out and put it in. Needs longer fan shroud bolts and the hoses shortened a little but it fits. A tight fit, but OK.
Trying to decide between 13lb (stock .9bar) or 1.1 bar.
Apparently, the radiator uses a more vintage style radiator cap. I'm looking at a Stant 10229 which is 13lb.
Any experience with this aluminum radiator situation?

 

I didn't have any issues with the hoses but im also 3.4 swapped so that could be why. I have a custom fan shroud with new bolts already so I was unaware of that. The 16psi cap shouldnt hurt anything bit if your more comfortable running a 13 psi cap then go for it. I run the 16 psi cap and haven't had any issues.

 

I have only used the original cap, or the "safety" cap from the local parts store. The parts store cap was the 16lb and I haven't had any problems to speak of.

 

Well, the radiator started leaking after about 24 hours. The guy selling them on eBay is the poster boy for scammers. I will have a separate thread about the eBay Aluminum Radiator experience soon. Quite the waste of time and money.
Bought a CSF three row all metal radiator. I have a CSF two row in there now.

 

That is too bad.

The CSF should serve you well.

 

Well that sucks. You said you oredered the KKS radiator? which seller did you go through. So far the one I bought has treated me well and the seller has been awesome.