skodajag Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 (edited) Sorry if this has been addressed before, but a quick search prior to this posting came up with nothing. Alloy cooing radiators have been around for a while now. Has anyone had experience as to whether 1/. they do indeed offer superior cooling 2/. They last as well, bearing in mind that while aluminium can't rust, it can corrode. With thanks .. Edited March 30, 2018 by skodajag Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TRseks Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 As far as I was advised from the workshop that refurbished my original radiator the only real advantage an alu radiator has is that it’s lighter. They said copper should in theory be a better heat conductor and also stronger. But I guess a well made alu one should still be absolutely fine. Magnus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 Hi, they do not cool as efficiently as the standard copper radiator. With decent antifreeze/inhibitor they do not appear to corrode internally. They have a history of very bad fitting. The Chinese and Dutch offerings have had a lot of criticism. Their only advantage is light weight - for the racing boys - and bling value. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 This has been discussed a lot in the past but the search function on the forum doesn't always work well. If you do a Google search on "TR forum aluminium radiator" you get this list: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MikeThomas Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 Thanks RobH As a newbe it's very useful to know. Best wishes, Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Down Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 My local radiator fettler said that Copper radiators are much more resilient to movement, whereas a copper rad will flex a little the same amount of movement could well crack an aluminium one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 (edited) I was going to fit an Ally rad mainly because there SHINEY and I think look very nice but after reading previous comments here decided to go for a copper cored one. Edited March 30, 2018 by Graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JochemsTR Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 I am driving with an alloy radiator, about 6.000km. with my original still in my garage. If I would recommend any radiator I would use these guys: https://wizardcooling.com/ anything else, get your original one overhauled! If you have a cooling issue, the problem may not be your radiator. Jochem Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 (edited) . Edited March 30, 2018 by Motorsport Mickey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don H. Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 I am driving with an alloy radiator, about 6.000km. with my original still in my garage. If I would recommend any radiator I would use these guys: https://wizardcooling.com/ anything else, get your original one overhauled! If you have a cooling issue, the problem may not be your radiator. Jochem I have a long-neck TR2-3B Wizard Cooling aluminium radiator here in my parts if anyone wants to make a good offer on it. It's the second one, in fact, after the first one had a top tank hose outlet that was completely in the wrong place. Wizard told me that they subcontract out work and whomever they gave this job to didn't really know what they were making, I guess. They sent me another which fit but didn't seem to cool as well as original. As part of a number of things I did to work on an overheating issue a re-cored original copper/brass radiator went back in and I'm happier with that. No more Al rads for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 There is no good reason to utilise an aluminium / alloy radiator in a TR except for competition - as in weight reduction. That is a simple principle, quite apart from the fact that many of the ally rads on offer are total cr*p. How often does it need to be repeated ? Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 I’ve got an alloy radiator and it’s fine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndyR100 Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 I’ve got an alloy radiator and it’s fine. Same hear.... I do smile at some of the comments.... if you don’t have a rad to exchange or rebuild then an outright alloy rad purchase can make great sense at the right price (and they do look rather nice ) ..... Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 Yes of course some prove fine, but too many don't unfortunately - TRs and other classics alike. Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 (edited) Just like many of the repro components for old cars then. Edited March 31, 2018 by peejay4A Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 Yes agreed, but reconditioned traditional copper/brass rads tend to be rather more long lasting, at least in my experience. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 ...so we have the following I do / I don't dispute GB/OD oil type - GB40, EP, ATF or cats piss. TRunnion - oil or grease Tyre choice - practical or expensive Headlight bubs - filament, LED, HID Surrey top or Rag top and now Radiator material - to bling or not to bling We certainly have cars that can take a great variety - something for everybody Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hamish Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 You joining the diplomatic service Roger ? Youll have your work cut out dealing with Boris then !!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graeme Posted March 31, 2018 Report Share Posted March 31, 2018 ...so we have the following I do / I don't dispute GB/OD oil type - GB40, EP, ATF or cats piss. TRunnion - oil or grease Tyre choice - practical or expensive Headlight bubs - filament, LED, HID Surrey top or Rag top and now Radiator material - to bling or not to bling We certainly have cars that can take a great variety - something for everybody Roger Roger, You forgot SBF...... Graeme Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TriumphV8 Posted March 31, 2018 Report Share Posted March 31, 2018 ..... and not to forget the EFI, PI, Stromberg, SU oder Weber thing on the TR6. Also the cv-jointed rear has been discussed often in the past.......... But isn't it more a chance than a pain? While Bentley boys only can discuss turtle wax or food elsewhere in a restaurant we are located between strong oldtimer restoration and sports car modification. I like that and most I like if I drive with modified things in my TR where others quote that this is impoosible or still claim problems with the original. I would not swap to other cars like the way I work on or go with my TRs. I also have a modern Maserati that does all things better than the TRs (except acceleration of the V8) but it does not give that wonderfull feeling you get when the TRs survived a holiday in Italy and got back home on own wheels. Must be similar to Amundsen when he reached the pole........ Mainly that feeling happens after you did a lot by own hand on the TR and also "improved" a lot that needs to be confirmed through the time and miles on use....... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skodajag Posted March 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2018 (edited) Thank you all for your input. Were I a judicious chairperson I would probably conclude that an alloy rad from a reputable source is ok, but that the original - in good condition - is just as good if not better. Incidentally my TR3A , which I've owned for 45 years (yes, 45) was built from new as a competition replica, the original equipment for which included an alloy sump. This really does aid cooling. Edited March 31, 2018 by skodajag Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted March 31, 2018 Report Share Posted March 31, 2018 Don't forget the choice of seats Roger, between MX5 and proper ones. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndyR100 Posted March 31, 2018 Report Share Posted March 31, 2018 The reality is that many many things are not right or wrong..... plenty of scope for personalisation and all down to the owner - drive and enjoy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted April 1, 2018 Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 ...so we have the following I do / I don't dispute GB/OD oil type - GB40, EP, ATF or cats piss. TRunnion - oil or grease Tyre choice - practical or expensive Headlight bubs - filament, LED, HID Surrey top or Rag top and now Radiator material - to bling or not to bling We certainly have cars that can take a great variety - something for everybody Roger You forgot the Rad Shrouds,Alloy or Cardboard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveR Posted April 1, 2018 Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 I guess what an owner does to their car is up to them. But when they come to sell the car it maybe not to everybody's liking. Roger, The UN at present could have a job just for you. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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