Custom built radiators

From where?
Any radiator bloke who knows his stuff?

Depends what part of the country that you are in

North Central Vic

Don't know anyone over there that I could recomend,except maybe that hotrod mob in Castlemain could give you some ideas

Thanks for that input Anthony, I will be v interested to hear how your rig goes this summer. Mine runs at 70-80deg C whilst the ambient temp is below 24deg, but as soon as the ambient temp hits 30deg, the engine runs at 95deg +. Just wondering if you could send me an email direct so that I have your address to contact you in about 2 months to see how your new radiator went. My email is markp1969@hotmail.com
thanks

Thanks Andrew, have had a look at the pwr radiators after your tip. Did you have a problem before you fitted the alum radiator? Is your GQ standard? What I'm tryin to work out is, exactly how much more effective is an aluminium radiator of similar dimensions to a standard radiator?

Mark my GQ is standard. I built the radiator as with the original one the temps would climb to over 3/4s on the gauge under load. We wanted to get a caravan so I built it to cope with towing. It now runs between 1/4 and 1/3 on the gauge and gets to 1/2 when towing up hills under full load. I've built a few now, mainly for hot street cars or street rods. I did one for an XW Falcon 410 cube supercharged running flat 10 second 1/4s which was overheating with a new 4 core brass/copper one, with the new PWR cored one he has no problems. Same for a 34 Ford supercharged 502 big block on LPG. What a nightmare job that one was to build with compound curves everywhere. I've just been told I've got to build one for the same guy in a 32 Ford he's building but this one has only got a "little" motor in it. How does a 572 cubic inch big block Chev with an 871 supercharger on LPG sound?
Having seen how efficient the aluminium ones are I'll never use copper/brass again.
If you want some really good technical info on radiators check out ARE radiators and especially their tech talk and particularly their horror photo's section, it's a real eye opener.
ARE Radiators
Regards Andrew.

Andrew,
sounds like your radiators have been very successful! I am convinced that this is the direction I will have to go with my rig. My only concern is how the alloy will stand up to endless corrugations etc. Will check out ARE site, thanks for the tip
Regards Mark.

Tuff60,
thanks for your input. I also hesitate to trust alloy in the bush. Don't think I have enough room to fit a Cruiser radiator, have already been down that road. Have already done EXTENSIVE modification to bull bar to allow more air flow, (winch has been sitting in the shed waiting for me to sort out this problem to be refitted!). No problem with the bottom third of radiator as this is the fourth radiator I have tried - radiators get changed as regularly as oil filters so far!!!
Regards Mark

Thanks cj, have already been down that road, fitted oil cooler, enlarged sump to 6.5ltr oil capacity, altered oil pick up to suit etc, etc, jacked the bonnet up made no difference whatsoever to this one!!

Dave,
Thanks for your input. I spoke to a local specialist today re custom alloy radiator and it seems like the way to go. They can prepare a unit which will just bolt straight in, with an additional 4" extra length at bottom and are quite confident it will solve all of my problems after I explained the lengths I had gone to. It would want to for $850!!! My only remaining concern before I spend the $$ is as someone else mentioned, the hesitation of using an alloy radiator in the bush. I do big trips on endless corrugations and have a few concerns about whether the alloy will fatigue & crack quickly. Any experience in this area?

Mark,
You will find that nearly all new vehicles have alloy radiators fitted now. They don't fatigue because they are mounted on very loose rubbers that give them alot of movement. The only downside of an alloy radiator is the fact that they are harder to repair in the bush, but their cooling efeciency far outweighs that. Just carry some aroldite with you incase you put a stick through it!
Chaz

Thanks for that tip Chaz, I will definitely look into that one tomorrow!
Regards Mark

Dave, what sort of vehicle do you have? Engine etc? Did PWR do the job for you just from model details or did they have the vehicle?
Mark

Dave,
Sorry, just realized that you were the same bloke that replied earlier! I know what rig you have etc, just wondering how PWR did the job. They do say on their website that they have people on CAD program on pc that can design etc, I am assuming that they built the radiator for you from your design requirements rather than physically having your rig at their shop?
Mark