Cooling System Questions

[73runner400]

I have a 73 Roadrunner 400. I need to replace my chrome water neck with a stock one. I went to Carquest and bought their replacement thinking it would be cast iron. Well, in the box was a water neck that was cast aluminum. Will this seal OK?

Is there a cheap aluminum radiator with both hose outlets on the passenger side that isn't a champion?

 

[PurpleBeeper]

The cheap cast aluminum water neck is what came stock, so yes it will seal just fine. Also, why do you want an aluminum radiator? Weight is the ONLY advantage, maybe 10-15 lbs. or so. Don't believe all the hype about aluminum radiators. Brass & copper transfer heat better than aluminum. If you have two radiators with the same number of tubes, the tubes are the same size & the fin count between the tubes is the same then copper/brass will cool better than aluminum.

 

[mopar367]

Those aftermarket chrome waternecks are junk. Mine leaked for a long time. I finally put a cast stock one on. It didn't leak a drop. Far better. I think mine was a transdapt or something.

 

[HT413]

Summit and Jegs each sell cheap direct fit or universal fit aluminum radiators. If you're on a really tight budget and dont mind a less than perfect fit, Summit univeral fit rads are like $150 or $160.

 

[73runner400]

The cheap cast aluminum water neck is what came stock, so yes it will seal just fine. Also, why do you want an aluminum radiator? Weight is the ONLY advantage, maybe 10-15 lbs. or so. Don't believe all the hype about aluminum radiators. Brass & copper transfer heat better than aluminum. If you have two radiators with the same number of tubes, the tubes are the same size & the fin count between the tubes is the same then copper/brass will cool better than aluminum.

The original water neck was cast iron on mine, not aluminum.

Will cast aluminum water neck seal up against the cast iron water pump housing?

Copper is through the roof dollar wise making brass and copper radiators expensive. I looked for a regular one online at parts houses and doing a google search, same price as or more than aluminum... Thought I would upgrade to something that won't rust.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Brass & copper transfer heat better than aluminum.

I'm sorry, but this is wrong. You should do some more research. While brass/copper is superior at dissipating heat, there is where any advantage stops. Due to the fact that aluminum is so much stronger, it makes a much better radiator. You might start with this read.


http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0211_aluminum_or_copper_radiator_for_your_car/viewall.html

 

[Dennis H]

I'll stick with my 26" factory radiator with clutch fan and shroud. Green coolant. All the stuff that worked in 1969. Pressure? OK. I just hammer it and idle for hours in 107 degree temps.
Just under 500 at the crank. Maybe it's not big and baaaad enough to need aluminum.

 

[HT413]

To me, this is perhaps the definitive online source for cooling info. It leans toward circle track racing, but it's really valuable stuff.


http://www.xtrememotorworks.com/Cooling.htm

 

[73runner400]

Will cast aluminum water neck seal up against the cast iron water pump housing?
Will cast aluminum water neck seal up against the cast iron water pump housing?
Will cast aluminum water neck seal up against the cast iron water pump housing?

 

[RustyRatRod]

Are you not reading your own thread? Refer to post #2.

Will cast aluminum water neck seal up against the cast iron water pump housing?
Will cast aluminum water neck seal up against the cast iron water pump housing?
Will cast aluminum water neck seal up against the cast iron water pump housing?

 

[73runner400]

Mine came with an iron water neck.

 

[Propwash]

Will cast aluminum water neck seal up against the cast iron water pump housing?
Will cast aluminum water neck seal up against the cast iron water pump housing?
Will cast aluminum water neck seal up against the cast iron water pump housing?

Might as well flip a coin on that one. Some guys get them to hold water, the other can't get them to stop leaking. Post a thread in the "Parts Wanted" section for a cast iron housing and you won't have to worry about it anymore, they don't leak (if in decent shape and sealed up good).

Good luck.

 

[PoppaSmurf]

I've been using a Billet aluminum neck for at least 4 years now, hadn't had problem 1....