Fordmods Logo

Aluminium vs Copper Radiators 

 

Page 1 of 2 [ 23 posts ] Go to page 1, 2  Next

 
 Post subject: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 3:46 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 39

Posts: 553

Joined: 3rd Oct 2006

Ride: EL XR-6

Location: Brisbane
QLD, Australia

hey guys just wonder which is worth getting a new aluminium or copper radiator? ive found that the aluminium ones are a lot cheaper than the copper but are they better?
Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 5:42 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 39

Posts: 2832

Joined: 7th Nov 2004

Gallery: 4 images

Ride: Lincoln LS, MKII Escort, ED

Location: geelong
VIC, Australia

copper/brass has better thermal characteristics

 

_________________

Because i can.

Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 5:56 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline

Posts: 496

Joined: 14th Sep 2011

Ride: BF II Gas Ute

Location: Canberra
ACT, Australia

Hello,

Aluminium is lighter and cheaper. They use plastic tanks, and have an O ring seal. the Copper ones are soldered together, and can be repaired and easily taken apart for cleaning. ( by a radiator shop, the Ally plastic ones need a Jig to put together ) Plastic tanks crack with age. There are some special Alloy ones welded together, wont be cheaper though.

 

_________________

Regards 96ELGli

Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 10:37 pm 
Moderator
Offline

Posts: 14489

Joined: 7th Nov 2004

Ride: AU XR8

Location: a shit suburb in sydney
NSW, Australia

I have a copper core with plastic tanks, they make both..
unless you buy a expensive high quality alloy one with alloy tanks I would go with a std copper core radiator, it will outlast a cheap alloy one...
Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 11:15 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 39

Posts: 553

Joined: 3rd Oct 2006

Ride: EL XR-6

Location: Brisbane
QLD, Australia

cool thanks. one of my hose ends has broken off the radiator not sure when it broke off but only just notice it when I was re-installing the radiator and relise wtf how did that happen the other half of it was still stuck in the hose. not happy considering its the weekend cant get a new one until Monday.
Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 1:02 pm 
Technical Contributor
Offline
User avatar

Age: 60

Posts: 5659

Joined: 14th Jan 2005

Gallery: 10 images

Ride: 96 XH/97 EL

Location: South Coast
NSW, Australia

Good idea to stick with a copper radiator, particularly if the A/C condensor is copper also.

 

_________________

96 XH Longreach 'S': LPG, Alarm, 3.23:1 LSD, Cruise, Trip Comp, ABS, Power Windows, Mid Series Dome Lt, Climate Ctrl
97 EL Futura S/W: LPG, Alarm, LED int Lts, Trip Comp, F/Lane Dome Lt, Climate Ctrl, T5 Conversion

Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 1:51 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline

Posts: 975

Joined: 15th Nov 2004

Ride: el wagon

Location: melbourne
VIC, Australia

Quote:
unless you buy a expensive high quality alloy one with alloy tanks


SSS make alloy rads., quality ones about $250 bux. outlast a copper rad. :wink:
Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 2:54 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline

Posts: 2464

Joined: 5th Nov 2004

Gallery: 7 images

Location: Brisbane
QLD, Australia

Alloy doesnt always outlast copper. The alloy is particularly susceptible to rot with Voltage and metalurgy problems - hence the copper/brass core being recommended often on older falcons.

Alloy can be eaten away in weeks with bad earthing

Nigel
Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 3:30 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 39

Posts: 553

Joined: 3rd Oct 2006

Ride: EL XR-6

Location: Brisbane
QLD, Australia

Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2015 10:38 am 
Getting Side Ways
Offline

Posts: 496

Joined: 14th Sep 2011

Ride: BF II Gas Ute

Location: Canberra
ACT, Australia

Nigel wrote:
Alloy doesnt always outlast copper. The alloy is particularly susceptible to rot with Voltage and metalurgy problems - hence the copper/brass core being recommended often on older falcons.

Alloy can be eaten away in weeks with bad earthing

Nigel

Earthing is the issue, it will turn the cooling system into a " battery "

 

_________________

Regards 96ELGli

Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:17 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 39

Posts: 553

Joined: 3rd Oct 2006

Ride: EL XR-6

Location: Brisbane
QLD, Australia

okay no worries id end up getting a copper one thanks
Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 8:59 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 56

Posts: 6467

Joined: 18th Dec 2006

Ride: 93 ED sedan

Power: 161 rwkw

Location: Rockhampton
QLD, Australia

Alloy sheds heat better than Copper, and is lighter, BUT, the Copper ones don't fatigue like Alloy ones.
Note*....AU onwards are Alloy.

 

_________________

http://youtu.be/jJTh9F3Vgg0

Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 10:20 pm 
Technical Contributor
Offline
User avatar

Age: 60

Posts: 5659

Joined: 14th Jan 2005

Gallery: 10 images

Ride: 96 XH/97 EL

Location: South Coast
NSW, Australia

^^^^Fair point - BA/BF's have alloy rads and A/C condensors - seem to last, provided the coolant is replaced at scheduled kms. That's in cabs, anyways.
The thermofan frame can rub against replacement aftermarket alloy rads, so they need trimming to stop chafing against the cooling tubes.
Not sure if this is an issue for earlier models - so be on the lookout for it.

 

_________________

96 XH Longreach 'S': LPG, Alarm, 3.23:1 LSD, Cruise, Trip Comp, ABS, Power Windows, Mid Series Dome Lt, Climate Ctrl
97 EL Futura S/W: LPG, Alarm, LED int Lts, Trip Comp, F/Lane Dome Lt, Climate Ctrl, T5 Conversion

Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 10:53 am 
Fordmods Newbie
Offline

Age: 79

Posts: 3

Joined: 29th Apr 2014

Ride: XH Ute

Location: Snowtown
SA, Australia

Hello,
Can the earthing problem be overcome by earthing the alloy radiator to the battery negative?
Top
 Profile  
 
 
 Post subject: Re: Aluminium vs Copper Radiators
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:53 am 
Technical Contributor
Offline

Age: 67

Posts: 6815

Joined: 22nd Jun 2005

Gallery: 8 images

Ride: EF Fairmont

Location: Campbelltown
NSW, Australia

If you are talking about a full Aluminium Alloy Radiator, then yes they can be earthed.

There is no need to earth back to the battery, just earth to the body. I used 2 heavy gauge wires on mine from both tanks to the body.

Earthing an Aluminium Core with plastic tanks would be extremly difficuilt but suppose it could be done if you set your mind to it.
Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:
Sort by  
 Page 1 of 2  [ 23 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google Adsense [Bot] and 61 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

 

 

It is currently Sat Nov 23, 2024 5:06 am All times are UTC + 11 hours

 

 

(c)2014 Total Web Solutions Australia - Australian Web Hosting and Domain Names