A Chinese radiator in a Model A?!!!

[Paul Bjarnason]

I was checking out radiators on Ebay and found this. What does everyone think of this radiator?



https://www.ebay.com/i/121491925180?ul_noapp=true


Somehow, it seems un-American to put a Chinese radiator in a Model A, but it does look nice.



No flaming, please, for my asking the question! LOL

[MikeK]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I ain't beholden.

[Joe K]

Many modern automobiles have aluminum radiators. A VW Golf diesel of my former acquaintance had aluminum fins on aluminum tubes glued to plastic headers. Of course the radiator required "special" coolant as water alone would attack the radiator.

And there has been some talk about the fins becoming "corroded" where they meet the thru-tubes. The fit is mechanical only (no solder) and a bit of water in this location will "film" the aluminum (yes, aluminum self protects on a corrosion layer) and this corrosion layer can serve to block heat passing from the fin to the tube. Somewhat akin to the copper radiator syndrome of "corroded solder" but this is an end of life event for a copper radiator.

While the price may be right - the mechanics seem to not recommend.

Joe K

[Dave in MN]

[QUOTE=Paul Bjarnason;1725993]I was checking out radiators on Ebay and found this. What does everyone think of this radiator?



https://www.ebay.com/i/121491925180?ul_noapp=true

Comments:

1) It appears the (lower) water outlet is not at the correct angle. Pointed a bit too far to the left side and it appears level rather than slightly pointed down.
2) The lower mounting tabs for the shell appear to be incorrectly shaped and too widely spaced.
3) The mounting holes for the shell and the mounting tabs to the frame are not drilled. This would require careful fitting.

I would not spend my money on it but you get to choose....
Good Day!

[Jacksonlll]

If you get it, please let us know what happens.

[maako]

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I have one in my 29 Roadster, it works very well here in Okinawa with all the stop and go traffic. It keeps the car running cool. It was a pain to get All the mounting holes drilled so the hood fit correctly. I think I paid $180.00 for it. I did paint it black because it is a high corrosion area were I live, salt water spray off the oceans, hot and humid in summer & wet winters.

[Jeff/Illinois]

I personally don't like it wouldn't go for it, but if for somebody it gets them back on the road for now, until they get a good one from Berg's, well maybe then OK.............

[eagle]

Opinions are like armpits, everyone has a couple. So far, there is one person who has posted an opinion based on experience... and it sounds pretty positive.

[Paul Bjarnason]

Originally Posted by Jacksonlll

If you get it, please let us know what happens.

I am a cautious person and I do not like to be on the cutting edge of anything. But, if a couple more folks were to weigh in with positive feedback, I would probably try it out. It's not like this aluminum radiator would be the first Asian part to be put on the old Jalopy.



I am old enough (75) to remember when imports from Japan were referred to as "Japanese junk". Then, over time, they evolved into some pretty good products, like Samsung, Makita, Ryobi, Toyota, etc. Seems the same evolution is happening with the Chinese products.

[denis4x4]

I have an aluminum radiator in my A powered hot rod that is 20 years old and has had zero issues.

[jm29henry]

Rat rod ? Or driver

[denis4x4]

Originally Posted by jm29henry

Rat rod ? Or driver

Take a guess

[1931 flamingo]

"No returns......................"
Paul in CT

[big job]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

"No returns......................"
Paul in CT

Yes no returns so be where It sits one inch high (hood high in front) so you have to nip the chassis a little .

[Terry, NJ]

I think that many more parts that we buy come from China! Back in 2001, I restored a Ford 8N and the old Central Tractor from Iowa (New Name, ??) Just about every part in the catalog was Chinese built, Including NEW (Not rebuilt) engines. They were offering new engines (8N) for about $2500. Radiators, No problem! I don't know how they worked, but the Chinese were willing to sell them.
Terry

Yesterday's Tractors

[deuce5wndw]

Originally Posted by denis4x4

Take a guess

I like it!!! Looks WOT sitting still!

[Keith True]

About 12 years ago I bought one of these Chinese radiators for my Dodge truck with a Cummins.OEM was about $800,Spectra-Premium out of Canada was $400,and the Chinese one was $220.I bought it,wanting the get through the plow season,it is still in the truck and shows no sign of corrosion.It has outlasted the original radiator by two years now.I am going to buy one of these for one of my A's,there is somebody selling them here in the states.I have not heard about having to nip the crossmember to make it fit,I will have to find out if it has happened or it is one of those myths that always seem to make the rounds about Chinese stuff.

[28]

Well they do say that they promise to use premium materials, so it boils down to if you believe them. Not a bad price, might be worth a shot despite our huge trade deficit with the Chinese.

As Keith was mentioning, I too have dealt with a lot of Chinese parts. For the factories that produce OEM parts, those are generally ok to get as they are made well, just with cheaper labor. but there are many different levels of quality with Chinese factories though and you really don’t know where this one is being made.

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by 28

As Keith was mentioning, I too have dealt with a lot of Chinese parts. For the factories that produce OEM parts, those are generally ok to get as they are made well, just with cheaper labor. but there are many different levels of quality with Chinese factories though and you really don’t know where this one is being made.

A few years ago Fine Woodworking did a comparison of various pacific rim sourced woodworking tools. Their expose on the state of Chinese manufacturing was most interesting, including the "dog eat dog" entrepreneurial spirit which pervades the place. It is not unusual for a machine tool company to form, a machine be made and a successful market penetration result therefrom - and then the company be bought out by more established competitors - all within the span of about a month.

And - copies exist of successful designs. You might expect this in a country where copyright laws are nil to none. One successful band-saw was emblazoned with adjustment knobs with the logo of an elephant on them. Because they were successful and beating all the others to market - suddenly all the others came out with copies of that saw - all the way down to the elephant logo. So attempts to "self copyright" are in effect meaningless.

I think I have spoken here about VW. Today VW is the most widely driven automobile in China - there are more VWs on the road in China than the rest of the world combined. All made by Chinese factories.

But one of the agreements that is signed by an offshore owner/producer looking to have product made in China is to agree to allow the Chinese manufacturer to market the product under their own name - or no name.

For me tone wheel sensors for the VW (part of the ABS system) are available with the Audi circles from VW for about $60 a copy. Or one can go on Ebay and buy "aftermarket" tone wheel sensors for about $6 - which includes shipping from China - and no Audi circles. Same sensor exactly.

Well - I say that. How is one to truly know?

Almost all US available parts for VW, Audi circles or no are made in China.

One can go to Briggs & Stratton and buy a replacement carburetor for the Briggs 8 horse F-head engine (the standard chipper/shredder, snowblower, leaf-blower engine) and pay nearly $90 for the carb. Comes in a nice box emblazoned with the B&S diamond. Or one can go on Ebay and find a Chinese pacific rim carburetor for $12 delivered which looks the same, parts interchange the same, runs the same - but is not painted red. More than likely the same carburetor in the B&S diamond box but a LOT less money.

But who knows for sure?

You pays your money you takes your chances.

Joe K

[Gil Sissons]

I have not put a aluminum radiator in our Model A.
But I have put a aluminum radiator in our Triumph TR3....
Which often struggle in hot California Summer weather.
We went with a Wizard radiator.... made in the USA.
Those import aluminum radiators have not held up as well
as the Wizards. Yes.... Wizard is more expensive.
FWIW

Gil. NoCal

[Purdy Swoft]

As long as the part works well and the price is right , it makes no difference to me where it was made . I gotta look out for myself sometimes !!! I've got a slightly used aluminum radiator on one of my strip down model A's . The radiator was bought off of a 29 tudor that was being converted to a V8 hot rod , so I don't know where it was made . I don't drive the car every day but it has worked well for at least 12 years . It cools well , doesn't leak and I seldom need to add water . I've never used antifreeze in this radiator . I drain it in the coldest of winter and if I want to go for a ride on a nice day , I fill it with water and drain it before the next freeze . Winters are usually mild here .

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by maako

I have one in my 29 Roadster, it works very well here in Okinawa with all the stop and go traffic. It keeps the car running cool. It was a pain to get All the mounting holes drilled so the hood fit correctly. I think I paid $180.00 for it. I did paint it black because it is a high corrosion area were I live, salt water spray off the oceans, hot and humid in summer & wet winters.

Hey maako,
Thanks for your input !
Did you have to modify anything on your model A for fit/finish ?

A model a bud has run one of these in his '30 coupe for a couple years now.
He gave me the info from ebay to order one. Haven't done that yet.
I ask him same questions as I ask you.
He said that only thing that he would advise and did, was to have the 'thin' foot area where tank bolted to front cross member, to have that reinforced somewhat. He said that his warmed up OHV B runs cool in SoCal weather.

[holdover]

It is a lot less expensive than our American made ones. Alum. is less expensive than brass, but the main cost in American products is the cost of labor, for those items that can't be made totally by machine. In my opinion the American ones that I have seen are works of art for the most part, with signs of quality workmanship. When I look at the one on ebay, especially the welds I gasp. As a former welding instructor in vocational school, any of my students that welded like those shown on EBAY would not have received a very good grade after being taught and having had the opportunity to practice. Just my opinion. If I just needed a radiator to run up and down the road as a driver I would first try to fix an original,

[midgetracer]

Nice looking Hot Rod Denis 4X4

[dumb person]

Previous threads had responses of "They're ok once you fit them".
But an original is nicer on an orig' car.

[Smooth_One]

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I have one in my 28 Tudor and except for the mounting was a pain in the lower hose pipe not being correct it is fine.
The lower hose isn’t that far off enough to leak though. That is it doesn’t in mine anyways.
Overall the craftsmanship is pretty rough in my opinion but it keeps my car cool and if flows well. Don’t have the flow numbers but it does flow well.
I did paint mine satin black on the outside to cover the shiny aluminum. Other than that the drain tube just kind of bounces around and you have to attach it somehow to the radiator so it doesn’t rattle. And as far as you get what you pay for comes true with this item but I did not have the $800 for a new brass works radiator so for now this one works for me until I can get one of those.

[wensum]

I ordered and paid for a Chinese radiator, ex China (This probably 6 years ago) and when it didn't arrive some time later, had to resort to blackmail (threatened to give bad feedback etc., on EBay) to get my money refunded.
I then purchased a US made aluminium radiator which had the wrong neck size and wrong thread plus incorrectly located mounts at the bottom. Being in New Zealand it was impractical to send it back, so had to pay for modifications to get it to fit.
It has since proven very effective and the engine runs too cool most of the time even with a restrictor in the top pipe

[burner31]

What do they call those Chinese radiators?
Coolies?

[DHZIEMAN]

Originally Posted by Paul Bjarnason

I was checking out radiators on Ebay and found this. What does everyone think of this radiator?



https://www.ebay.com/i/121491925180?ul_noapp=true


Somehow, it seems un-American to put a Chinese radiator in a Model A, but it does look nice.

No flaming, please, for my asking the question! LOL

Not going to get into the un-American thing. Not much of what I buy at Walmart these days is American.
Concerning ebay........I have dealt with their "eBay Money back guarantee" and it has never failed. If your concern is getting stiffed by a company in china, not going to happen on ebay. If your concern is fit and function, no way of knowing other than biting the bullet and buying the darn thing and installing it! Sadly if it works great and ya just don't like the look of it, that is not covered by the eBay Money back guarantee! Kind of a quandry!

[Paul Bjarnason]

OK, everyone, I did it -- I ordered a Chinese radiator for my '29 Tudor and it arrived yesterday. It looks good and the measurements appear to be right. I will install it in a few weeks, but so far, I am happy with the 3-core radiator with the stock threaded filler neck, for $350. Bj

[woofa.express]

there were several of these aluminium radiators in vehicles at a local hot rod meet. I asked the owners their findings and the common answer was they cooled better being aluminium but needed rework so as to fit.

[Paul Bjarnason]

The radiator I have purchased from China has the same dimensions and brackets as the old radiator which I took off the car. Should fit right in with no rework of anything. Also has the threaded filler neck, for the stock radiator cap.

[Paul Bjarnason]

Originally Posted by burner31

What do they call those Chinese radiators?
Coolies?

That's funny, Keith. Bj

[redmodelt]

Put a replacement aluminum radiator on my 91 Dodge Dakota,. Ran too cool, took forever to warm up! LOL Just used normal green anti-freeze with no issues. Point being made, you may need to install a thermostat.

[TZBrown]

Originally Posted by Paul Bjarnason

The radiator I have purchased from China has the same dimensions and brackets as the old radiator which I took off the car. Should fit right in with no rework of anything. Also has the threaded filler neck, for the stock radiator cap.

Any update on the install and fit of the radiator?

Not a fan of these, but I may have to go that way to get my 29 Tudor on the road

[Purdy Swoft]

The only thing that I've had to do when installing a repro radiator was to slightly increase the size of some of the bolt holes where the radiator shell mounts .

[M2M]

Do they make these for 1931 As?

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by M2M

Do they make these for 1931 As?

M2M,

I found one by entering "Aluminum radiator for 1930 Ford Model A" in the search function at the top of the page.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/56MM-FOR-FO...sAAOSweuxWRAH3

Interestingly enough, they have a warehouse in San Bernardino, CA which is about 15 miles from my house! Delivery should not be a problem.

David Serrano

[M2M]

Originally Posted by California Travieso

M2M,

I found one by entering "Aluminum radiator for 1930 Ford Model A" in the search function at the top of the page.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/56MM-FOR-FO...sAAOSweuxWRAH3

Interestingly enough, they have a warehouse in San Bernardino, CA which is about 15 miles from my house! Delivery should not be a problem.

David Serrano

In one of the 2 reviews on that radiator someone said it doesn't fit and wanted their money back. Also, unlike the other one mentioned previously, it says it's "56mm" rather than "70mm".

[whirnot]

Ladiato fo Moder A for $279?
seem rike good deal.
rooks ok and may work good, but if probrem china rong way to send back.


But seriously Aluminum radiators are in many hot rods.
A coat of flat black and no one would know.
But I would pass.

[wensum]

I bought an aluminium radiator from an American manufacturer supposedly designed to fit the Model A, but the bottom mounts and the side mounts all required modification (Luckily I have a friend who is very handy with welding aluminium) and the filler neck was completely wrong, too large diameter and wrong thread. I was able to remove the neck with some cautious grinding, and then removed a neck from a derelict original radiator and bond it in with a special glue/compound. I wanted a lighter weight radiator for my speedster, but the moral is that even a radiator made in the States may be no better than a Chinese one and as we are in New Zealand, it's financially unviable to send it back under warranty. The fins are very thin and easily damaged, so we have a stone guard which I would prefer not to have as it obscures the shape of the radiator shell. It certainly copes with the temperature, almost too well and I have a restriction in the top radiator hose and in winter it requires a half muff.

[maako]

it was the first time I ever had to fit a radiator, a little learned curve but I got mine to fit. It is far from perfect but I am building a driver and a lot of stop and go traffic we’re I live so cooling is a priority over originality. I painted mine black to slow down the corrosion.