Ebay radiators

[Jarlaxle]

In preparing my Duster to have body work done, the repair guy discovered that my radiator is leaking. It is original-looking (black 2-core), but clearly not original; I'm guessing it's a part-store replacement.

There seem to be a large number of <$200 aluminum radiators available on eBay...examples...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335971617256

Pardon Our Interruption...

Has anyone used these? If so...any good, before I drop $500 on a radiator?

 

[GTX JOHN]

I use them with no issues.

 

[FredP]

I have this one in my 70 Duster: perfect fit, very efficient, fair price.
hit me!

 

[Jarlaxle]

I have this one in my 70 Duster: perfect fit, very efficient, fair price.
hit me!

Won't fit mine, I have a 26" radiator.

 

[Jarlaxle]

I use them with no issues.

Do you remember exactly which one? There seem to be many.

 

[72bluNblu]

Ive got a KKS 374 in my Duster. 26" 3 core.

Amazon.com: KKS374 New 3 Rows All Aluminum Radiator Fit 1968-1974 Dodge Plymouth Mopar Cars (26 inch Core) : Automotive

 

[72bluNblu]

Fit on the KKS374 was pretty similar, but not exactly the same as the Champion CC374 I had in it before. Both of them required drilling new or making the mounting holes in the radiator flange a bit oblong to work. They say they fit but they pretty much all use a generic flange so some adjustments will be necessary. I did everything to the radiator flanges and didn't change the radiator support.

 

[eekvonzipper]

Champion 26" 3 Core in mine... Five Years Old, No problems at all. Around $200 on Fee-Bay

 

[eekvonzipper]

I did everything to the radiator flanges and didn't change the radiator support.

Agreed, I did the same.

 

[Johnschummer]

Check out auto city classic radiator on eBay, the are painted black and look like original

 

[Johnschummer]

See attached

 

[partsmonsta]

Good luck trying to get a shroud. Suggest you keep the shroud brackets off the old rad and try to mount the old shroud.
Buddy gave me an Alum rad, but it required brake fittings on the trans cooler lines. Really hard to locate. Had to make some out of 5/16 brake line.
No factory mount holes to mount, so had to finagle installation, then it cooled moderately.
Ultimately had the old one repaired at $700. No rad repair Shops in the Jacksonville area, so I had to drive to Orlando to get it repaired.
A real waste of time messing with the Alum one.

 

[72bluNblu]

Good luck trying to get a shroud. Suggest you keep the shroud brackets off the old rad and try to mount the old shroud.
Buddy gave me an Alum rad, but it required brake fittings on the trans cooler lines. Really hard to locate. Had to make some out of 5/16 brake line.
No factory mount holes to mount, so had to finagle installation, then it cooled moderately.
Ultimately had the old one repaired at $700. No rad repair Shops in the Jacksonville area, so I had to drive to Orlando to get it repaired.
A real waste of time messing with the Alum one.

Sounds like your "buddy" gave you the wrong radiator. They're definitely not all like that.

 

[CRUZE 418]

But, some of them are. The correct 26" Champion in my Road Runner doesn't fit right and will not accept the 5 bolt shroud that I have for it. It should cool just fine, it came with the car when I bought it, haven't driven it yet. Not saying they won't cool well, but fitment sure leaves alot to be desired. Close to one size fits all. Should go over well in Cuba.

 

[72bluNblu]

But, some of them are. The correct 26" Champion in my Road Runner doesn't fit right and will not accept the 5 bolt shroud that I have for it. It should cool just fine, it came with the car when I bought it, haven't driven it yet. Not saying they won't cool well, but fitment sure leaves alot to be desired. Close to one size fits all. Should go over well in Cuba.

Oh good grief. I drilled 2 holes in the mounting flanges on both the Champion and the KKS radiators I've installed in my Duster. It's not hard. And they're like low $200's for them.

The Cold Case radiator costs twice as much and still doesn't fit, the Griffen "direct fit" radiators don't fit any better and cost 3x as much.

If you want the exact original fit, then you're gonna pay to have an original re-cored. Which is gonna cost $800-$900 now, IF you can find a place to even do it.

All I'm saying is, what do you really expect from a ~$200 eBay radiator? They work just fine, and need some minor fitting. At that price point that fits my expectations. Sure, it would be really nice if you could pay 200 something and have the radiator fit perfectly with the mounts and original shrouds and accessories, but that hasn't been the case for over 20 years now. So maybe move on, or go into production on your own aftermarket aluminum radiator that perfectly fits an A-body and see where you end up for a price point.

 

[CRUZE 418]

Yup, OH Good Grief.