Plastic & Aluminum Radiator From China, I just can't do it !!!

[76eldo]

The radiator in my 80 Eldorado is leaking from the core somewhere.

I thought I had a spare but it's for something else.

I went to Advance Auto and bought a cheap radiator to put in the car and was planning on getting my original one repaired or re-cored locally.

I opened the box and looked at the POS radiator and just can't bring myself to install it in my Caddy.

I am bringing the existing radiator to the shop in the morning and hope that they can do a repair.  I am hoping that the core isn't shot.

I have looked all over for a copper proper replacement radiator but can't find one online or from any of my local sources.

Brian

[STS05lg]

Brian, try Raz Radiator, they did the radiator in my Talisman and it was like brand new. Ronnie Hux told me about them and I was not disappointed. It is multi-generational business and all they do is rebuild radiators with only American materials.

[TJ Hopland]

Parts stores can get a metal tank radiator still they just don't usually stock em.      US Radiator still makes OE style or OE with upgraded cores.   I don't know if regular stores sell em but specialty shops do.  They seem to be priced similar to a re core.   I have heard that they are often at least a month out on less common applications. 

I have not had issues with the plastic ones.   I was afraid of them at first but after looking at how many OE ones are still around that proves the concept can work.   I have not had fit issues or anything.  I have read about transmission lines needing adapters but the last one I was searching for adapters and noticed they were already installed, removing them had the correct threads to fit the lines.  They also seem to cool fine.

If you have the money and can find a place to do it having an original rebuilt is a fine idea its just hard to find em and its not cheap. 

[Jeff Wilk]

Cap-A-Radiator in Farmingdale, NY is also an old time shop that uses OEM American materials. And they will ship back and forth with you. Top notch work.

[James Landi]

I've install the cheapo's and they work...  not sure what the service life is, but they are not overly expensive, and limping along with an ancient radiator with a core that is encrusted and not effective is a disaster in the waiting.

[Scot Minesinger]

Those plastic side aluminum core radiators do work well.  I had a similar situation on a 1985 Buick, but there was a metal cover on top of radiator so it was not very noticeable.

I think local repair/rebuild/re-core is only option to keep 100% true authentic look.  You may want to try Desert Air, they manufacturer all metal radiators that look authentic, and I have them in all my 1970 Cadillacs (no deducts at GN).  They are same price is a local re-core.  One of my Desert Air radiators is now almost ten years old and 35k miles on it.

[76eldo]

I'm going to drop mine off today to see if it can be repaired and flushed out.

I may install the cheapo one and try it because I have to move the car into storage and move my 70 from where it is back to my house.  Right now it's on the lift with an empty space where the rad should be.

Brian

[76eldo]

I dropped off my radiator this morning and it needs a new core. It will be all new for $450.00, so I told them to order the core and to do it, The Chinese play radiator goes back.

Brian