Wondering if anyone has tested the 4 or 5 core radiators available on ebay? I was considering sourcing custom radiators but with the ebay availability seems like maybe there is not a need for another option?

 

Have not seen these specifically, but have had very poor luck with eBay all aluminum radiators. Almost always crack at the welds within a year.

 

Well hell at least that is repairable, better than plastic!

 

Bought one last fall from eBay, but haven't installed it yet. I've seen many folks say they suck, but as an old mechanic, I wonder sometimes about the validity of folks claims, and if their install had anything to do with their issues, or if they just bought the cheapest one...? I did get the thickest one, as there are a few versions for sale of different thicknesses and quality, so fingers crossed. And I will be sure to use good rubber isolators at each mounting point, etc. I'll likely install it soon to help mitigate summer Mtn temps, but I'll keep my OE one around, just in case folks warnings have more validity than expected.

And I agree with Extinct, at worst, they can be repaired. So other than the inconvenience of the breakdown, you can get back up and running cheaper, maybe?

 

These look nice but are very pricey: https://www.allisport.com/shop/perfo...lloy-radiator/

 

Well it wouldn't crack on me anyway: https://extinctmotorsports.com/the-e...s-10-min-read/

 

That added capacity might be allow me to run unpressurized in the summers here at elevation. about this time of year I have to tighten caps on both trucks to avoid any puking of fluid through overflow after parking in the summer (mainly after a long hill or major acceleration and then parking). Swap to e fans and run a delayed off on them or a turbo timer to delay the motor going off to keep fluid circulating for a few min would help with that.

 

Interesting thoughts, since we do run our vehicles at lower temps (I use inline with 170 thermostat for summer and 180 winter) I don't think we need the high pressure. And I do agree with saving our hoses clamps etc from leaks etc. Do you think the half turn loose is a lower pressure (~15 psi) or completely unpressurized. This got me doing some searching - a good option might be this expansion tank with the generic cap so we could choose 5,10,15 psi etc.

Again thanks for bringing this up. My daughter wants the disco as her first vehicles - she's currently 5 so a ways to go.

Also, in regards to your original question I bought this radiator almost 3 years ago though haven't installed it yet

 

Hi.
Zero point zero problems since discarded the original barely capable of performing-only-when-new with trouble at later young age.
It is NOT the number of rows a radiator has as some rows are narrow, some are shorter some are thinner, It is a myth. It is the amount of coolant mass in the radiator tubes One single massive row properly finned can be the same as 5 wimpy narrow ones that clog fast.

11 years ago. Check posts #3, 5, 7, 13 at : ----> https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...aranoia-60156/
----> http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps8536c5dd.jpg

 

Yes the # of rows is the marketing speak used on ebay, the important thing is the size of the heat exchange. I did some calculations about a year ago and based on those we need about 40% larger to run 180 on 100 degree days at 70mph with the AC on. Or to put it differently to hold an 80 degree temperature difference instead of the current 100. Just wondering if there is still a need in the market or if the thicker ebay ones are adequate.