My truck isn't over heating, but I know the rad is partially blocked because it has cold spots, and after it sitting for 8 years there is always this rusty water coming from it.
It doesn't matter how much I flush it.

I suppose I could take it to a shop, but from my experience once the tubes are blocked, they really can't be cleaned out.

Spectra makes one (single core is good enough) for only 141.00 Canadian and at the other end is Valeo for over 300.00$
What makes one better then the other one, or more expensive if you want, both have transmission coolers in them with plastic tanks and aluminum cores.

Not like the old days with brass tanks and copper cores, if I could find one like that, I would put that in.

Thanks.

 

Copper cores and brass tanks could be cleaned and resoldered, not so with most plastic brands.

Aluminum cores are better than copper in any case, copper was weaker so tubes had to be smaller, which means less flow, more blockage and less cooling.
Aluminum cores can be made with larger tubes so better flow, less clogging and better cooling.
Outside of restoration "looks" the newer plastic/aluminum rads are much better than the the older copper/brass rads.

I would go with the less expensive one, not sure on what the price difference is for?
May be made in China vs made in Canada/US

 

I always liked the old copper/brass because if they were blocked (up to a point) one could pour hydrochloric acid in them, there wouldn't be anything left of the aluminum rads of course if that was done.

Interesting facts about aluminum radiators, didn't know that.

The price points are all over the place, Valeo being the most expensive, but RockAuto has Valeo at 138.00$ Canadian, but then you pay allot for shipping because it comes out of the US, so 141.00 for the Spectra with free shipping is OK.

The dealer wanted an arm and leg.

Thanks Ron.

EDIT:
I bet they're all made in China anyway.
The cheapest was from PrimeChoice Auto Parts at 104.00.
Lots of bad reviews though so, I'm going to keep clear of them.

 

Yes the older ones could be cleaned, and needed to be more often, they could also be repaired easier, soldering, and needed to be more often.

If I had to pick a radiator to have in the Zombie Apocalypse then it would be something I could clean or repair myself.
Also a distributor with points and a carb, for same reason.
But in general use give me the longer lasting aluminum and plastic every time, and distributorless with EFI, much less work

But then again in the Zombie Apocalypse there seems to be plenty of spare parts(radiators, coil packs and injectors) every where, lol.

Love the Walking Dead and Fear the walking dead, also Z Nation

 

You like your Zombie movies huh...
While everyone's computer is fried from the EMP blast, I can still run my old cars.
And I don't have to worry about the acid rain eating my copper/brass rad either.
I'm all ready for that post-apocalyptic disaster !


Incidentally, I got the Spectra rad from my auto parts store, it was in stock so I didn't have to wait for shipping.
It was 40 bucks more, but there was no chance of it being damaged, all toll, it was around 180.00 bucks _ I think it's made in Canada too.