quote:Originally posted by mike the snake:
Well, the Fluidyne radiator works VERY well, although it just sprung a pinhole leak. I added some "Stops Leaks" after checking that it was OK to use, and the leak is now gone, so I've bought myself some time at least.
When the time comes, I'd almost rather go with Fluidyne again, since it should mount the same (although I don't know if the mounting of this radiator was custom or if it used the stock mounting system) but it works really really well. I'll cross that bridge when I have to. If I can eek some more life out of this radiator I'll do that, as I spent more that I had factored in buying the car.
I'm on a Top Ramen diet for a while lol.
OK. Good. Here is my opinion on them. Take it with no venom or vengence intended.
You can not repair these things. Once they leak, you put in stop leak. If it works fine, BUT from over 40 years of experience with cars, it is temporary AND the stop leak also plugs other portions of the radiator internally as well as settling in certain sections of the blocks cooling passages.
Aluminum offers NO cooling advantages over copper or brass. NONE.
It is used for only two reasons. 1) less weight for a racing car 2) glitz.
Think of the reliability of the thing now. If you take the car out for a drive and the radiator blows again and you can't get home with it that way, what are you going to do?
You can't take it to a radiator shop and have them repair it. You need to order another. Wait for it to get delivered.
Where are you going to do that? In a Hotel parking lot where you stay while you wait for the new radiator?
A brass radiator can be repaired virtually anywhere by anyone ALMOST limitlessly.
The guys who have these aluminum radiators are the guys who are subject to having to buy something when the mailman brings the new Summit Racing catalog.
There is little thought process that goes into the decision. Just to the reaction of all of that shinny aluminum and the vacancy of credit limit on that new credit card.
It is the power of the "Dark Side" and subliminal marketing psychologists that hit you at your weakest moment.
You need to be made of "sterner stuff".
Brass IS the way to go. Don't listen to the Devil whispering in your ears. Resist! You can do it!
As far as what anti-freeze? Well, the GM pre-mixed would be the "premium" brand to use. It is mixed to be compatable with the aluminum components that GM builds now into every car. Not just the Corvette.
Pre-mixed, although pennies more than the 100% anti-freeze, has a distinct advantage here.
It is pre-mixed with DISTILLED water, not tap water.
MANY places in this country have water that has additional ingredients in it. SOME are HIGHLY corrosive to engine components LIKE ALUMINUM RADIATORS.
Now that pre-mix is going to be 50/50. IF you want to do research on the mix you will eventually come to a chart that shows that 60/40 is the optimum anti-freeze/water mixture, not 50/50.
If you are going to mix yourself, in a Pantera, the 60/40 MIGHT be worthy of the consideration?
I personally find pre-mixed 50/50 is fine, BUT if you want to max this thing out, as many Pantera owners do, then consider 60/40.
...and no, anyone who wants to argue about this, forget about it. I'm not going to go find the 60/40 chart for you. It's right there on the web. Read it and weep if you must...I ain't got the time to anguish over this.
Go kick the dog. tell the Boss to go screw off or yell at your wife. I'm not interested.
