[peeeete]

My metal meld patch up job on my radiator is not holding up... Just saw on eBay there are two different radiators for sale ones copper core ones alloy or something... Any thoughts on which ones better or should go see a parts shop and get a stock one?
Cheers
ps running 86 1.3l drover...

[jdk81]

Technically a copper core will perform better than non copper core radiators. Higher thermal conductivity.

But stuff from ebay, well umm... its a lucky dip.

Anyone bought the radiators off ebay, if so how did they go?

[Rockhopper]

Go to your local radiator shop and price one up. You might find it won't cost much more than that. I priced a new 3 core through a company we use at work and it was around $280

[Rockhopper]

Just had a quick look on ebay and saw 2 radiators listed for the Sierra as 'alloy' radiators. The photo on one of them is a black radiator and the photo on the other is alloy colour. If this is correct and they're both truly alloy, take the one that is not painted black, as you should'nt paint the alloy core of a radaitor black. It won't dissipate the heat as quick.

[bron5on]

I bought one of the ebay alloy radiators, not the the black one. Looks similar to a stock jimny item, alloy core, plastic end tanks. Smaller of course as it's for a sierra. I'm using it to cool my 1.6 and it works fine. On road it sits between 78 and 82 degrees. Haven't given it a thrashing in the bush yet tho. That's using the sierra shroud with stock 1.6 clutch fan.
Cheers.

Bronson

[shep]

bron5on wrote:

I bought one of the ebay alloy radiators, not the the black one. Looks similar to a stock jimny item, alloy core, plastic end tanks. Smaller of course as it's for a sierra. I'm using it to cool my 1.6 and it works fine. On road it sits between 78 and 82 degrees. Haven't given it a thrashing in the bush yet tho. That's using the sierra shroud with stock 1.6 clutch fan.
Cheers.

Bronson

do you have a thermostat? that sounds a bit to cool to me.
from memory my thermostat doesn't open until 84deg.

[peeeete]

i think i will go for the non painted alloy one then...
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Suzuki-Sierra-81 ... 286.c0.m14
its cheaper anyway...

how did you set up your temperature guage? havent had this car running for long and its never been running at a steady temperature, first water pump then radiator... would be interesting to see how hot it runs.

I am going to do the fairmont alternator upgrade when i swap the radiator over so need to find a fan to suit the multi v swift water pump... B4T has a clutch fan on his that he reckons is tops but not sure of what type will fit... anyone have any ideas?

[unique_seek]

I have bought a civic ASI ebay job(chheap full alloy rad),twin core..slight mod to fit(mines coily) will be upgrading to the tripple core one soon though(just to have that lil bit extra)

[bron5on]

shep wrote:

bron5on wrote:

I bought one of the ebay alloy radiators, not the the black one. Looks similar to a stock jimny item, alloy core, plastic end tanks. Smaller of course as it's for a sierra. I'm using it to cool my 1.6 and it works fine. On road it sits between 78 and 82 degrees. Haven't given it a thrashing in the bush yet tho. That's using the sierra shroud with stock 1.6 clutch fan.
Cheers.

Bronson

do you have a thermostat? that sounds a bit to cool to me.
from memory my thermostat doesn't open until 84deg.

I might have to look into getting a new thermostat then. It prolly sits at about 84 on the highway but usually lower at lesser speeds. Could also be the guage I'm using.

Peeeeete, I bought a speco plasma series gauge. It's elcectric and replaces the temp sender near the thermostat. The guage itself isn't great in full light as the leds dont look too good in the sun but it was the cheapest one I could get. Hint: they're cheaper at autobarn than on ebay. Easy to install but if you're after accuracy I think mechanical style guages work better.

Bronson

[nick.gooding]

i talked to my mechanic when i was thinking about geting one of these and he said that if there imports that they arent designed to take many bumps and knocks whioch you will get from off roading.
i would go with a standard one.

[peeeete]

fair enough nick will look into it... will check out suzispares or similar
cheers bronson autobarn is the go then...
if only every thing was as easy as clicking on an internet page...
just got home after running out of petrol across the road from the servo... and its the one time i left my jerry can at home... $15 for a tin can just aint right!