aluminum core in a brass radiator?
 

I was wondering if I can put aluminum fin coils in my brass radiator?

I have no firm knowledge of this, but it does NOT sound like a good idea. It sounds as if it would set up bi metallic corrosion.

Are you wanting to do it to save weight in your race car or because it's one of the few options you have. If it's not a weight issue, I have a radiator guy down here that can do anything and for a reasonable price too.

Are you sure there's not an old fashioned radiator guy in your area that could take care of whatever you need?

Good luck with it.:)

From what I've seen of the brass radiators that I've taken apart, the fins are soldered to the core tubes.

I suppose you could pull them out and try to insert aluminum fins in the space but you would lose the intimate contact afforded by the soldered connections.

The only aluminum cores I've seen have either been folded onto plastic tanks or been complete aluminum assemblies.

Galvanic corrosion.

Seems like it would be easier to adapt an entire alum radiator. Should be a lot of various sizes at the bone yards. My BMW has an all alum unit.

I have two radiators in my Formula ford that are solid brass and weigh about 12 to 15# each. If I could have aluminum they would weigh a lot less but the prices I have seen suggest about 400 each for custom made radiators 7.5" x 22" more or less.

Won't find those at a boneyard. I reckon you'll have to pay the price. Don't want to have problems in that area.

Glue plastic end pieces on to aluminum core.

one from a 37-47 chevy PU should fit right in, and a new aluminum can be had for under $200 on ebay.

I bet you're thinking of 17 x 22.

Iwas thinking you are talking about the stude express......Not w123.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1934-1935-1936-Chevy-Pickup-Truck-Radiator-3-Row-Champion-Radiator-w-V8-Convert-/271105016668?hash=item3f1f1e435c&item=271105016668&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Sorry, I am all over the map so making any assumptions with me is uncertain. This is for the Formula ford race car!;)