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Radiator question
Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 4:13 am
by refit1701
What's good used one go for these days? I didn't see any listed at MWM or VPW so I guess used the the only route?
Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:34 am
by Cal_Gary
I think Sam Winer in Ohio still had a new one for $500. They are hard to find-I landed a bargain re-cored, slightly used one for $285 about three years ago.
Gary
Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:55 am
by refit1701
OUCH!!
I had no idea they were so costly.
Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:15 am
by Master Yota
If your tanks are in good shape, its much cheaper to have your rad recored. Most fullsize Dodge cars and trucks used a rad core that is very close in size to the stock unit during the 70's and 80's. Its apparently the most common core size available. A competant rad shop should have no trouble putting a new core between your tanks.
Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:00 pm
by refit1701
Good suggestions but I am actually missing the radiator on this truck I am picking up this weekend.
MV show season is starting up so maybe I can get one from a club member around here.
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:18 am
by Mark@Sea
If not, I've got one in Charleston SC (needs recore) you can have cheeeep.
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:55 am
by refit1701
Mark@Sea wrote:If not, I've got one in Charleston SC (needs recore) you can have cheeeep.
I'll keep you in mind!
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:30 pm
by MSeriesRebuild
Recore jobs go around $400-$450 these days, new reproduction copper/brass (original equipment type) radiators are around $1,000, New all aluminum with extreme heavy duty core, around $1,550. These are the facts current day, watch buying so called good take-outs, you can easily get fooled, I wouldn't suggest buying one before it is checked out by a reputable radiator shop.
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:33 pm
by refit1701
Thanks for the info, Charles. Those numbers are scary.....
options
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:49 pm
by chris olson
believe it or not but a radiator from a toyota landcruiser will nearly bolt right to the factory mount...I had to drill out two holes.(on the rad)
I have also heard of guys using aluminum circle track radiators and having mounting channels welded on
Re: options
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:43 am
by Master Yota
chris olson wrote:believe it or not but a radiator from a toyota landcruiser will nearly bolt right to the factory mount...I had to drill out two holes.(on the rad)
I have also heard of guys using aluminum circle track radiators and having mounting channels welded on
The 4 core cruiser unit is the only way to go, and they are found in the FJ series trucks with the gas engine. I used a 3 core from a diesel and it wouldn't cool the 305 I had swapped into the M37. That may not be a problem with the rad though, I had issues at the time with the electric cooling fans. I sold the truck before I figured out the problem.
The last dodge rad that I had recored cost me less than 300 dollars, but I supplied the tanks. That was with a HD 3 core copper and brass unit. This was about 3 years ago.
Charles, your prices are very scary indeed. Sounds to me that while your getting good quality, your overpaying by quite abit for materials and labor.
Re: options
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:29 pm
by MSeriesRebuild
Master Yota wrote:chris olson wrote:believe it or not but a radiator from a toyota landcruiser will nearly bolt right to the factory mount...I had to drill out two holes.(on the rad)
I have also heard of guys using aluminum circle track radiators and having mounting channels welded on
The 4 core cruiser unit is the only way to go, and they are found in the FJ series trucks with the gas engine. I used a 3 core from a diesel and it wouldn't cool the 305 I had swapped into the M37. That may not be a problem with the rad though, I had issues at the time with the electric cooling fans. I sold the truck before I figured out the problem.
The last dodge rad that I had recored cost me less than 300 dollars, but I supplied the tanks. That was with a HD 3 core copper and brass unit. This was about 3 years ago.
Charles, your prices are very scary indeed. Sounds to me that while your getting good quality, your overpaying by quite abit for materials and labor.
Re: options
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:42 pm
by MSeriesRebuild
Master Yota wrote:chris olson wrote:believe it or not but a radiator from a toyota landcruiser will nearly bolt right to the factory mount...I had to drill out two holes.(on the rad)
I have also heard of guys using aluminum circle track radiators and having mounting channels welded on
The 4 core cruiser unit is the only way to go, and they are found in the FJ series trucks with the gas engine. I used a 3 core from a diesel and it wouldn't cool the 305 I had swapped into the M37. That may not be a problem with the rad though, I had issues at the time with the electric cooling fans. I sold the truck before I figured out the problem.
The last dodge rad that I had recored cost me less than 300 dollars, but I supplied the tanks. That was with a HD 3 core copper and brass unit. This was about 3 years ago.
Charles, your prices are very scary indeed. Sounds to me that while your getting good quality, your overpaying by quite abit for materials and labor.
Well fellows, 3 years ago and today is a HUGE cost difference, I wish I could get this stuff done for the prices I could 3 years ago.
Now as far as Canadian prices, maybe you can get it done cheaper there, I'm quoting what it cost me here. I have only 1 radiator shop left anywhere around, its an hours drive 1 way, and yes whether we think it's reasonable or not, if we get the goods, we pay the price. That's the bottom line from where I stand. I don't have any other shops to choose from in my area.
I just sold Mark@Sea a new recored unit for $450, he seemed tickled to get it at that price since he was quoted $850 for a recore at a local shop where he is. He was willing to drive from Charleston, SC to pick it up. You fellows may want to get some current pricing from your local shop, you too may find prices have increased dramatically. 2 years ago, I was buying the heavy aluminum custom radiators for around $700 for our Cummins projects. Yes the cost now has doubled. Things have changed.
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:48 pm
by Cal_Gary
It's ALL gone up in the past three years, with the economy being what it is. I'm thankful to be able to continue work on mine and procuring the parts.
Gary
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:15 pm
by refit1701
Everything is more expensive. I think the cost of metals drove things up and even though the prices are bottomed out now, the shops are still charging as if they are still high.