Aluminum Radiators

40 Chev Coupe · November 15, 2009, 08:20:17 PM

Looking for a radiator for my Merc. Does anybody here know of anything about Speedways Universal radiators? They list them for racing but how would they hold up to everyday use in a street car?
Or, any other brands?

enjenjo · November 15, 2009, 10:30:59 PM

If it's the right size, it should be fine. Do understand that they are for the most part, throw away radiators, they are usually not repairable.

I use PRC, they build custom radiators to your specs, as well as having "stock" radiators for popular applications.

t-vicky · November 15, 2009, 11:29:57 PM

Have user them on quite a few cars & they work good. Have to make your own mounts but thats no big deal.

chopped · November 16, 2009, 06:41:46 AM

Got one from Jeg's, same thing. Been in my Buick a year and no complaints, about $150. No mounts and no ATF cooler.

rumrumm · November 16, 2009, 08:35:22 AM

You cannot beat PRC radiators for workmanship and effective cooling.

HotRodLadyCrusr · November 16, 2009, 09:31:07 AM

I'd be careful ordering the PRC radiator off that old Streetrod Stuff website. Not too long ago a pal didn't get his radiator nor return emails. There are new owners I guess. Not sure if anything has been resolved.

I went to a local radiator shop and had them build me a custom AL one and fan schoud to match. Was way less than purchasing a Walker, Be Cool or any of those other name brand ones. I've got over 100,000 miles on my radiator in 7 summers and have yet to have one issue with it. Best $425 I ever spent on Big Olds.

Purchase right the first time and be done with it.

enjenjo · November 16, 2009, 09:59:23 AM

PRC has their own web site http://www.prchotrod.com/ They were not connected to SRS other than as a dealer for PRC.

40_Tudor · November 16, 2009, 11:51:57 AM

I have a PRC in my 40 with 5L TPI. The only compaint is it runs too cold. 195 Thermostat it runs about 180 deg.
Electric fan should last years. I test the fan a couple of time a season just to make sure it still works.
Good radiators.

kb426 · November 16, 2009, 01:17:45 PM

I use PRC in my 32. I had a problem and they replaced it. I was out the freight to return it and that was all. It had 1500 miles on it when it started leaking. I threw away the original box about 2 weeks before it started. I still have the box for the replacement in the shed.

Ohio Blue Tip · November 16, 2009, 07:46:27 PM

I put a PRC in my 34 last year and I'm very pleased.

WINGNUTZ · November 16, 2009, 10:57:17 PM

Quote from: "HotRodLadyCrusr"I'd be careful ordering the PRC radiator off that old Streetrod Stuff website. Not too long ago a pal didn't get his radiator nor return emails. There are new owners I guess. Not sure if anything has been resolved.

I went to a local radiator shop and had them build me a custom AL one and fan schoud to match. Was way less than purchasing a Walker, Be Cool or any of those other name brand ones. I've got over 100,000 miles on my radiator in 7 summers and have yet to have one issue with it. Best $425 I ever spent on Big Olds.

Purchase right the first time and be done with it.

Hey Denise... Got a New Walker from "The Hot Rod Company" in Madison WI from Mike paid $417 Total with a certain alliance discount!

I've had two Walkers last over 20 years each and there's a quality story right there.

rumrumm · November 18, 2009, 09:37:37 AM

I have an AFCO radiator in my '32, and AFCO's are good radiators. I have no problems with it and it cools very well. But the workmanship on the PRC is much better, and it is repairable. Had I known it at the time, I would have opted for a PRC.

57larry · November 18, 2009, 05:50:15 PM

I always used Walker, a good quality radiator

47convert · November 25, 2009, 01:03:27 PM

I used Walker HD rads in a couple of my cars but still had some heating problems on hot days and in traffic. The rad I have in my coupe is one of those Griffon Aluminum rads. I think Griffon has gone TU but It's the best piece I ever had. This is a 34 Highboy with a mild small block Chevy and a full stock hood. I originally put it together with no T Stat and couldn't get the temp over 180 degress all summer. I use a steel 7 blade stock car fan with no clutch. Now that the weather is cooler and I finally hooked up my heater hoses I couldn't get the heat gauge to move off of cold. I installed a 160 T Stat and it comes right up to 160 and stays there. Too bad this company is no longer around.

Ed ke6bnl · November 25, 2009, 01:23:09 PM

Quote from: "47convert"I used Walker HD rads in a couple of my cars but still had some heating problems on hot days and in traffic. The rad I have in my coupe is one of those Griffon Aluminum rads. I think Griffon has gone TU but It's the best piece I ever had. This is a 34 Highboy with a mild small block Chevy and a full stock hood. I originally put it together with no T Stat and couldn't get the temp over 180 degress all summer. I use a steel 7 blade stock car fan with no clutch. Now that the weather is cooler and I finally hooked up my heater hoses I couldn't get the heat gauge to move off of cold. I installed a 160 T Stat and it comes right up to 160 and stays there. Too bad this company is no longer around.

I have a Griffin in my 50 F1 with a 327 and it runs very cool with the dual spal 11" fans. only complaint is that they epoxy the ends and may be a problem if a repair is needed. 1.5 in tubes 2 row. But not single problem in the lase few years. ED