1969_Valiant
Well-Known Member
My radiator is totally shot. Any recommendations for a decent company to go with, or horrible ones to avoid? Thanks I appreciate your help.
I have a Modine for a 70-2 A body that I bought from autozone in mine. What engine is in your Valiant?
The pricing sounds about right. I paid a little over $200 for mine, but I also upgraded to a V-8 3-core, that was a fair bit wider. Mine went in a 66 Valiant /6. Quality was quite good, finish was nicely polished, everything was straight, etc. Nothing here not to like. I also got the overflow bottle to go with it. Since I put it in, my temp gauge hasn't moved off the mark where the thermostat opens, no matter what the outdoor temps or driving conditions.
$150 is a great price for aluminum. Some are priced $400. Aluminum is much lighter and cools better. But it does corrode faster, so do all you can. I am slowly converting all my cars to Evans Waterless coolant since I hate corrosion. Some say you need to electrically isolate an aluminum radiator, which is one suggested reason why most factory ones today have plastic reservoirs and mounts (I don't know). If you can mount it with rubber isolators so it doesn't electrically contact the body, that would only help. I have bought aluminum heater cores and radiators that come with a disclaimer that stray electrical currents can cause them to corrode thru in a few weeks, and they aren't responsible. Perhaps lawyer talk, but take it to heart.
Yeah, that thing looks sweet but $200 is a stretch for me now. Just can't do 4. I noticed that my trans cooler line is on the opposite side, next to the lower radiator hose.
Also, My upper radiator hose is more centered, closer to the cap. If you had a replica built, I'm guessing the design was changed a few years later.