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TR2/3/3A TR3 Rad questions

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M

mapleaf

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Nothing is simple! I pulled the rad from my 3A thinking I would take it to a local rad shop and have it recored. I now have estimates ranging from $235.00 to $450.00 for 3 and 4 row recore and an recomendation (unseen) to have the top tank, filler neck and attaching tube internally braced while it's apart. So, what should I be checking for? copper or aluminum? how many rows? and is the additional work normal for a standard recore? Anything else?
Thanks
 
I would add having the filler neck modified to use an overflow with a suction return. They'll know what to do. Mine cost around your quote for recore. 4 rows provides more surface area for cooling than 3.
 
I agree with Peter K!
That is what I had done to my rad, but here in Californa the price was just over $500.
Dan
 
Yup! The Bay area has to many enviro nuts! There are very few shops around here that can stay in business because of the E.P.A. and the prices reflect that. The rad shop that did mine is in Concord. The owner thinks that "I will be run out of business within the year by the tree huggers)
Dan
P.S. His shope has been around for 2 generations and is very neat and clean for a rad shop,
 
I go to an old timer whose shop is in a small building next to his house. When he's not driving a school bus (to supplement retirement $$), he continues to do radiators. I paid $235 for a 3 row recore.
 
When you need a new shop drive out to Modesto. Got mine done for $250 about 6 weeks ago.

Paul
 
I concur on looking at an aluminum one given the outlay you're looking at. It's a great long-term investment, and the cooling difference is tremendous.

Prices may have gone up (or down), but this is what I got from Wizard Cooling 2 years ago:


Cost: $745
-12" Spal fan
-TR3 radiator, w/ 3/8" bung
-Fan mounting brackets
-Fan wiring kit with temp switch
-Shipping

I dealt with Scott there: 716-655-6760


Cheers,
Gavin
 
I bought my aluminum rad (Wizard) from Art Lipp https://www.trparts.com/index.html in November and Paid 645.00 including shipping. This came with a SPAL fan (Mounted), Wiring Harness with 185 Thermo , and a fan eliminator kit.

Cheers.
M. Pied Lourd
 
A strong recommendation for those that choose to go with an aluminum radiator. Or for that matter who use ANY aluminum components in their cooling system, even as lowly as a thermostat cover.

Use a proper antifreeze. And make sure the engine has a good ground to the chassis...

Non-protected coolant, water will oxidize in aluminum...

Or you could go to your local GM/Caddy dealer and get some of the additive pills they used to drop in to the radiator to lessen corrosion formation.
 
Thanks guys, It would be nice to upgrade to an aluminum rad but other parts need rebuilding so a standard recore will have to do. So can I assume the original rads were 3 row copper? Thanks again.
 
If you are not concerned with originality or looks, you could adapt an aluminum radiator from a different car with different hoses. I will be buying a universal aluminum rad from howe racing for about $200 to use in my tr4 part number 342I. I will install new mounts to suit. I don't know about a tr3 though. you might look at the honda aluminum rads to adapt. If you are going to keep the car, long term, I would save my money and by an aluminum one from Tony Drews.
R
 
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