Alum. radiator

brimac · Post by **brimac** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:37 pm

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1941-1952-Jeep- ... es&vxp=mtr

Has anyone used a alum. radiator, at that price it is almost 1/2 of the price that I have to get mine recored. It sounds to good to be true.

dago_red · Post by **dago_red** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:53 pm

Doesn't say made in USA anywhere in a rather lengthy advertisement, I always take that to indicate it's Chinese-made.

Really, 500 bucks for a re-core?

brimac · Post by **brimac** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 6:57 pm

465.00 and 490.00 to 520.00 are what 2 shops quoted me in the Boston area. The second shop said we have done flat head jeeps in the past and they run in that range. I can buy a reproduction for that kind of money.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:02 pm

Well they said "We love questions" 4 times in that ad so I sent them an emailed questions as shown below:

Hello,

Are your radiators 100% us made and assembled? how do you handle the change in mounting of the radiator in the M38 vs the earlier MB/GPW/CJ2A? Do you not have a radiator on the shelf you can prov ide a photo of so I can see exactly how it wioll fit in my M38 including the two side rod mountings that connect to each forward engine side mount.

Post by **wesk** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:14 am

You guys be the judge of their answer below:

Thank you for your interest. Champion's high quality radiators are made overseas, in fact similar radiators in this price range are made there as well. Sorry Champion has not produced a photo for this radiator.

- reliablerad

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 10:15 am

Too good to be true! You see these ads all the time for parts that fit "MB, GPW, M38, M38A1, CJ5, etc." on places like Ebay and elsewhere. Unless they are talking about some basic part such as a bolt or screw, it probably is a "screw"!

donthedickens · Post by **donthedickens** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 11:59 am

For my step-sons 1968 Datsun pick-up truck, I solved my radiator problem for $650. Griffin Radiator in South Carolina made me a radiator that looks real close and fits good.

http://www.griffinrad.com/

A few pictures here if anyone has a need. I sent my old radiator as a sample. It took about 4 week for the turn around. It fit well and looks almost like the original.

http://s577.beta.photobucket.com/user/D ... /radiator/

I looked long and all over the country to find a replacement. This custom route was about the best I found. The local radiator shop quoted re-core cost at over $1000 due to silver solder used in the original.

Thank you,
Don
Southeast, NC
68 520 pickup (step-son's)
53 Willys jeep (mine)

dago_red · Post by **dago_red** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:51 pm

Good detective work, Wes

My first job ever was at a radiator shop (early 70's). I was a driver, but spent enough time in the shop area to have the sulphuric acid eat the soles off my boots! The fumes, the acids, the lead- it was a hazardous environment! Anyhow, a recore has always been expensive now that I recall, so paying 500 bucks is perhaps in line with current costs for brass and copper and labor. You know, it wasn't uncommon to have a 10 yr old or so radiator need a clean and repair ($20!), so maybe it's understandable that a 60 yr old radiator needs an overhaul. And for the size of the engine, these seem to be large radiators and therefore more expensive to recore.

I've got opinions about the Asian stuff and I work really hard to keep my jeep all American made. I just don't like that a mail order item is kept in such a mystery as to an important point like where it's made. Seems a bit dishonest.

Anyhow, I vote for an original- aluminum just wouldn't look right in an M series jeep!

djalohr · Post by **djalohr** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 11:34 am

i could obtain pictures of this beast. if wanted

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 11:55 am

My recore was about 400 bucks and the rad looked like new when i got
it back. Took about a week-10 days. Another thing i got that you cant
get with an internet purchase is this: a guy whos gonna take care of me
if i have a problem. Years of experience and a reputation to protect..

LeeMN · Post by **LeeMN** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 8:45 pm

I had a 3 row recored for my CJ2A last winter for $525, a standard 2 row would be $100 less. My local guy does great work but said the labor removing and installing the framework around the core is very labor intensive.

FWIW, Lee

djalohr · Post by **djalohr** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:29 am

i have this radiator in my m38, it replaced the civilian one which had a branch break it.

donthedickens · Post by **donthedickens** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 3:01 pm

djalohr wrote:i have this radiator in my m38, it replaced the civilian one which had a branch break it.

If you have the radiator they are asking about in the opening post of this thread, then I'd like to see some pictures please.

djalohr · Post by **djalohr** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 5:07 pm

sure thing, i'll try and get some up by tomorrow when i get home.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 7:57 pm

Especially of the mounting points and the power plant support rods between the radiator and the engine mounts.