Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Just after peoples views on aluminium radiators? What do think, pro's and cons.
I know harder to repair, but better heat retention.
This isn't for an outback tourer either, just to try to keep my bucket o sh@t cool.

Also has anyone used Race Radiators in Dandenong? Any good?

Have not used race raditors myself. But have heard very good things about them.

race radiators make alot of custom stuff for the rotary guys around melb and even australia wide.

havent heard anything but good things about these guys

speak with andrew on here awill4x4 in Carrum Downs... and go look at the one he made himself.. fuckin work of art...

Hope he has my Intercooler core ready to go too

I got mine off of ebay

Temp guage now runs @ 1/2 of what it used too

Kingy

6.5 rangie wrote:Just after peoples views on aluminium radiators? What do think, pro's and cons.
I know harder to repair, but better heat retention.
This isn't for an outback tourer either, just to try to keep my bucket o sh@t cool.

Also has anyone used Race Radiators in Dandenong? Any good?

Race radiators made an 80mm core radiator for my rangie. It survived the rigour of the OBC fine, no stress cracks, fractures or over heating. Kurmut Ibelieve is still running a BA Ford from Race Radiators.

They used to use the same core as PWR, but after Brocky's radiator let him down at Bathurst (7 years ago??), they changed to a different core supplier and have not had a problem. They build a lot of radiators for Oz Safari competitors, and the used to build radiators for Andy Cadelcotts KTM for the Dakar before he passed away.

As Bruce said, have a talk to Awill, hi work appears to be first class, and has knowledge of applications for 4Wdriving. There used to b a thread either in Nissan or general on a radiator he built for a patrol, the thread re surfaced around Dec last year.

Awill believes the application of the 80mm that I had is not the best for 4WDriving, because of the slower speeds by the time the air gets to the core closest to the block it's cooling capacity has reduced too much, a 50-60mm core would be better. I also had my alloy rad painted, this prevents the mud from sticking to the aluminium.

I pait $700 odd for my race radiator fitted.

Jason

Jason, thanks for the info, thats what i wanted to hear, will contact Awill on this.

P.s, did i ever ring you back about that tyre? can't remember - iseem to be good like that (as you know)
p.p.s How are yourself and Steph going, all well i hope?

I've heard they can be prone to stray current corrosion but it can be avoided by proper earthing. Can anyone expand on this?

Please do!

Mark2 wrote:I've heard they can be prone to stray current corrosion but it can be avoided by proper earthing. Can anyone expand on this?

No more prone than what an alloy head is

Correct collant additive will minimise corrosion.

Kingy

V8Patrol wrote:

Mark2 wrote:I've heard they can be prone to stray current corrosion but it can be avoided by proper earthing. Can anyone expand on this?

No more prone than what an alloy head is

Correct collant additive will minimise corrosion.

Kingy

Agree regarding the coolant, but have since done some searching on corrosion of aluminum radiators and it seems they can have major corrosion issues if all isnt right. They may also be more prone to salt corrosion than copper/brass radiators, particularly if left unpainted - an issue for beach drivers. Yes, copper also corrodes but there are differences in the corrosion mechanisms for each. Havent found much more info on the stray current thing except that some say the radiator should be earthed and some say it shouldnt...........

mark2 wrote:I've heard they can be prone to stray current corrosion but it can be avoided by proper earthing. Can anyone expand on this?

my local radiator bloke explained all this to me the other day and I've forgotten already, was something to do with electrolysis and the stray current will cause the radiator to be "eaten" away, as its the weakest link... the whole reason you have "sacrificial diodes" in Hot water services.

there will be someone here who can better word my ramblings!

shakes wrote:

mark2 wrote:I've heard they can be prone to stray current corrosion but it can be avoided by proper earthing. Can anyone expand on this?

my local radiator bloke explained all this to me the other day and I've forgotten already, was something to do with electrolysis and the stray current will cause the radiator to be "eaten" away, as its the weakest link... the whole reason you have "sacrificial diodes" in Hot water services.

there will be someone here who can better word my ramblings!

Every new car today is using aluminium radiators, have a look and see just how many earth their radiators, the quick answer is none. The manufacturers go to great lengths to make sure the mounting of the radiators is totally independent of all the metal components of the car and the ONLY thing that goes from motor to radiator is coolant.
As an example, I built a custom radiator for the guy next door at work for his 460 cube F100, he fitted it and we did all the right things, ran water only for a couple of days then coolant and tested for stray current and found he had a problem. He tried different approaches on everything electrical in the car and brought it down a little but it was still too high. He put an earth strap on and it made no difference at all. He had mounted the rad the same as his previous brass/copper one with bolts through the mounts so I suggested he use rubber grommets on all the mounts so there was no earthing anywhere on the radiator and the problem was fixed.
So DON'T earth your radiator, car manufacturers have a pretty good idea on what works.
Regards Andrew.

6.5 rangie wrote:Jason, thanks for the info, thats what i wanted to hear, will contact Awill on this.

P.s, did i ever ring you back about that tyre? can't remember - iseem to be good like that (as you know)
p.p.s How are yourself and Steph going, all well i hope?

Typical electrician... never calls back

All is well and looking good.

Jason

I used race rads to make my radiator.

lasted 6 SIX months. wasnt electrolisus. (sp)

now use desert race coolers preston area.

MIchael.

Typical electrician... never calls back

All is well and looking good.

Jason

Sorry

I used race rads to make my radiator.

lasted 6 SIX months. wasnt electrolisus. (sp)

now use desert race coolers preston area.

MIchael.

i was waiting for you to pipe in Michael, seem to recall you having some sort of trouble, what went wrong.
Your Aussie Desert one, is it Aluminium?
Gotta remember i need a big radiater for my engine to stay cool, everyone is saying go aluminium.

6.5 rangie wrote:

I used race rads to make my radiator.

lasted 6 SIX months. wasnt electrolisus. (sp)

now use desert race coolers preston area.

MIchael.

i was waiting for you to pipe in Michael, seem to recall you having some sort of trouble, what went wrong.
Your Aussie Desert one, is it Aluminium?
Gotta remember i need a big radiater for my engine to stay cool, everyone is saying go aluminium.

i have an aussie desert one and it works no better than my old cheapo adrad core. it's not alloy though. it's 4 core triple pass. It does seem to be built alot stronger though.

6.5 rangie wrote:

I used race rads to make my radiator.

lasted 6 SIX months. wasnt electrolisus. (sp)

now use desert race coolers preston area.

MIchael.

i was waiting for you to pipe in Michael, seem to recall you having some sort of trouble, what went wrong.
Your Aussie Desert one, is it Aluminium?
Gotta remember i need a big radiater for my engine to stay cool, everyone is saying go aluminium.

aluminium is the go. Mine cracked or corroded around the cores near the engine inlet.

Race rad could not come up with a good reason. asto why.

now has copper/brass ally was better IMO but as no one wanted fix replace alloy one I went to desset.

Regards Michael.

They used to use the same core as PWR, but after Brocky's radiator let him down at Bathurst (7 years ago??), they changed to a different core supplier and have not had a problem

Michael, may'be you had a dud core

6.5 rangie wrote:

They used to use the same core as PWR, but after Brocky's radiator let him down at Bathurst (7 years ago??), they changed to a different core supplier and have not had a problem

Michael, may'be you had a dud core

that was my opinion.

but Rod didnt want to know about it.

so I never recomend them to anyone.

Michael.

Aussie desert cooler in Preston are making an aluminium radiator to suit the Surf. $750. Website below.

http://www.aussiedesertcooler.com.au/


Cheers,

Chris.

Rang them, about $150 dearer and to far.
Race said they can tack it together, i can take it home and to see if it all fits before the final weld. thats good service.
Still waiting for a reply from Andrew though (awill4x4).