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New radiators on EBay?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Sumfuncomet, May 1, 2012.

  1. Sumfuncomet
    Joined: Dec 31, 2011
    Posts: 578

    Sumfuncomet
    Member

    I have been looking for a radiator for my Ford 28-29 shell and I have seen the walkers and Griffins for over six hundred. On EBay there are radiators for 199.00 Hs anybody bought one of these? Are they Chinese made? I have heard of using a 64-66 Mustang radiator which I can get from Napa for about 250. I welcome opinions, experiences and suggestions( about the radiator)!
     
  2. Yes, they are Chinese made. I bought one for a Model T a few years ago from suncoastdeals (I think thats what they went by), it looked pretty good but I never ran it so don't know how well it worked....
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2012
  3. rob lee
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 1,331

    rob lee
    Member
    from omaha,ne

    Spend the money one time,you will be happier in the end.Brassworks has a nice alliance discount . Just bought one and it is top quality! Rob
     
  4. Keep one thing in mind.... it's Evil Bay!
     

  5. Walkers are expensive but they are the best in my opinion and they last.

    I have used the Griffin Aluminum,Babb & U S Radiator with mixed results.

    I have 4 hot rods and everyone of them have Walker Radiators.The '54 Wagon that was just completed,,my '32 pickup that has been on the road for about 5 years now,,the one in my 5window is over 30 years old and the one in my sedan is 15 years old.

    I've never had a problem with a Walker Radiator,,yeah,they are pricey but they last,,I can't say that for some I have had. HRP
     
  6. I bought a Champion for my 55. If you click the Broken Rods logo in my signature, there's a couple pictures where you can see it in my engine bay. It was something like $260, and it came with a 16" electric fan (which I didn't use). It's made in America, and is unbeatable for the price. It's not show quality, but a little time with a polishing wheel would bring it up nicely. The high dollar radiators look a little nicer from the get go, but I can't justify the extra $400. For a driver, there is no reason to spend more.
     
  7. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    If I may quote the great Yorgatron - "Don't buy Chinese junk-this means you!"
     
  8. RAY With
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 3,132

    RAY With
    Member

    I went with evil bay on 2 aluminum radiators and one cross flow and one vertical. Both American made and with no epoxie filler. This is important to make sure your purchase is all welds. I have no issues and there are china made and they usualy have the epoxie type fillers and are sub standard. Close attention to the product and construction is necessary and I made a phone call to the company prior to buying.I got a good product at a good price .
     
  9. I have now in my cars, a BeCool, a Griffith, and a American Brassworks, none cheap, all work well and fit good. I have attempted to buy a Walker but the folks who answer the tele there for tech questions are, uh, less then polite and deserve to have thier yeast infection looked at! I have heard they are decent quality but I will not buy from folks who talk down to the customer, period.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2012
  10. I bought one of the chinaman ones. They had missed the seam when they welded the filler neck on, but we welded that up and I had a radiator shop here pressure test it. He said it was fine. Another guy here has one in a 32 with a blown 354 and it doesn't get over about 175*.
     
  11. rustang
    Joined: Sep 10, 2009
    Posts: 710

    rustang
    Member

    I put one of the Champions in my OT muscle car and it has been great, my car is not a babied trailer queen, and after (3) seasons since I built the car, the radiator has worked great... was about $250 and included an electric fan...
    Tom
     
  12. Razorshotrods
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 346

    Razorshotrods
    Member
    from Phoenix

    I just bought as champion for my 58 with a fan for 249 shipped, the third one i have bought over the years, You cant beat them for the price
     
  13. papajohn
    Joined: Nov 2, 2006
    Posts: 896

    papajohn
    Member


    Ditto!
     
  14. I bought one for my low buck 32 Ford Fordor. It was already set up for the Chevy motor and fit perfect.

    I cleaned it real well with wax & grease remover and painted it with high heat BBQ black so it would look "traditional".

    For a mild motor or driver they are great for the price.
     
  15. gibraltar72
    Joined: Jan 21, 2011
    Posts: 260

    gibraltar72
    Member
    from Osseo Mi.

    I bought a chopped T radiator on ebay the guy was from greater Detroit area. when radiator arrived I was amazed how big box was. I opened it and could see it wasn't right but was amazed how nice it was. I called and they apologized up down and sideways somehow their end screwed up and sent a T bird radiator they immediately replaced with correct radiator and it had the same great workmanship. not sure if guy is still selling in ebay, and sadly don't remember shops name but price was very good and a good product!
     
  16. jack orchard
    Joined: Aug 20, 2011
    Posts: 238

    jack orchard
    Member

    you bought one of what brand? where?
     
  17. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    My dad bought one for his Roadrunner off of eBay for $180 I think, not sure where it was made but looked real good and has held up well for the last couple years. Not sure where it was made.

    Buy one from someone with lots of good feedback. eBay is always on the buyer's side, so a radiator dealer is not going to rack up thousands of positives if they're selling junk. I'm happy to pay more for something that's good quality but $600-$800 for a radiator is outrageous.
     
  18. Sumfuncomet
    Joined: Dec 31, 2011
    Posts: 578

    Sumfuncomet
    Member

    I just wanted to say thanks to everybody, I am buying a Champion. Good price 245.00 delivered. Three core. All welded aluminum
     
  19. JayD
    Joined: Aug 29, 2005
    Posts: 544

    JayD
    Member

    I just purchased an aluminum three core for my 53 effie from radiators 4 less from ebay and forgot to ask about how thick it was with the electric fan and shroud, decided it wouldn't clear my 460. The guy at tech support was more than helpful and VERY friendly, he desolved the sale, no problem and just asked me to come back if I found out it would work. I was impressed with the way they handled the situation. They seem to stand behind their product too. It was a good buy, less than half of the 'big boys' radiators
     
  20. pinkynoegg
    Joined: Dec 11, 2011
    Posts: 1,136

    pinkynoegg
    Member

    Give champion a call. some of the things they carry arent on the website or they will make it for you. The customer support there is great. I couldnt find one for a flathead in a 28 shell. called them up and got one sent to me within the week. fits great and no complaints so far
     
  21. jb39chev
    Joined: Mar 29, 2011
    Posts: 71

    jb39chev
    Member
    from Conroe,TX.

    I found an aluminium radiator on E---,looked good, price was right and shortly thereafter saw a booth set up by the same company at a car show. Got to see the radiator up close and personal, long story short, after much searching I bought one of theirs. Tech was very helpfull, always had time to talk to me, stated that if it didn't fit or work as advertised, to just send it back on their nickel and they would make it right.
    I have no complaints what-so-ever. Company name is Bryce Thomas radiators( BTR ) in Gadsden, Alabama.
     
  22. Reindeer
    Joined: Mar 3, 2005
    Posts: 224

    Reindeer
    Member
    from Finland

    I bought two radiators for my Model A's from Brice Thomas Radiators in Alabama and will buy again when I need one. They make their products so modifications are possible. Not too pricey. Check 'em at www.cgj.com.
     
  23. fleetside66
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 3,003

    fleetside66
    Member

    I bought a 64-66 three row off of Ebay for $125 almost four years ago & it hasn't missed a beat. It handles my 283 quite well, without an electrical fan. The seller was called "radiator doctor," out of California, if I remember correctly. The very NEXT DAY, I'm out in then garage & this little car pulls up & stops. I thought the guy was lost, so I walked out to greet him & offer him assistance. He says that he's not lost...he has my radiator! Apparently, there is some sort of warehouse right near me. I still have the receipt that says "1-800-Radiator" on it. For what it's worth, there's a Lifetime Warranty on it, providing it's flushed once a year. I never saw any country of origin stamp on it, to be honest.
     
  24. drptop70ss
    Joined: May 31, 2010
    Posts: 1,201

    drptop70ss
    Member
    from NY

    I have one of the ford model A units with chevy hose connections from suncoast deals on fleabay, works great (in fact a little too good!) can hardly get the engine up to 180 degrees unless I am stuck in traffic. I have my electric fan set to come on at 195. All welded no epoxy.
     
  25. Hellfish
    Joined: Jun 19, 2002
    Posts: 6,626

    Hellfish
    Member

    I bought one of those about 6-7 years ago (radiatorsusa.com IIRC) for about $100. I think they contract local shops to build them, but I'm not sure
     
  26. Gator
    Joined: Dec 29, 2005
    Posts: 4,016

    Gator
    Member

    Got one off Ebay for my daily driver '55 Chevy pickup, mildly rodded SBC w/ Vintage Air A/C - never a problem even idling in the August heat with the AC on full blast.
     
  27. yetiskustoms
    Joined: May 22, 2009
    Posts: 1,932

    yetiskustoms
    Member

    i bought a "champion" "bolt in" rad for my 54 plymouth. all i had to do was completely remove all brackets and re tig new ones on, then plasma cut a relief for the petcock. bolt in my ass. but it does seem to work good, now. for the price........
     
  28. bob35
    Joined: Aug 26, 2011
    Posts: 75

    bob35
    Member
    from DFW, TX

    Had the same dilemma a while back, and ended up finding a price compromise - not the most expensive, but not the cheapest either. Cam from Brice Thomas Radiator (via ebay). Can't say yet how well it works, but it's sure a nice looking radiator, and is made in USA.
     
  29. robyyo
    Joined: Sep 8, 2005
    Posts: 238

    robyyo
    Member
    from Orange CA

    I bought a champion from a guy on ebay. Turned out he was selling them out of his garage about a 1/2 mile from my house, showed up paid cash. Dirt cheap and works excellent.
     

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