Not a tractor hauler but a question:

T.R.K. · Dec 26, 2016

Came up needing a radiator for my '85 Monte Carlo SS. I've had it since '95 so I'm kinda attached to it. . Its pretty much stock except for speakers and radio the previous owner put in.

Anyway, I was wondering if it would be considered more valuable as a collectable to have an OEM type copper/brass radiator than it would to have one of the new aluminum/plastic radiators in it? There seems to be about $200 difference in prices.

Thanks!
Kelvin

JD Seller · Dec 26, 2016

I have not had very good luck with the replacement plastic/aluminum radiators. It seems like they leak at the crimped seam in a few years.

Patsdeere · Dec 26, 2016

I would put a aluminum/plastic one in. If somebody wanted it as a collector, or would be easy enough for them to switch out.

Janicholson · Dec 26, 2016

Go with aluminum/plastic. Save the old rad. to give to an eventual owner (if) Jim

jimg.allentown · Dec 26, 2016

At this point, I would not even consider anything in the 1980s to be a collectable with very few exceptions. This was the era of poor drivability due to hybridizing electronics and mechanical systems. Then there were the body side moldings that deteriorate in the sunlight and are color keyed to the vehicle, and are generally not available as replacements. Also, in that era, cars were produced in heavy numbers, so collectability suffers due to the plain fact that most are so common. My guess is that your car will be about as collectable as the state quarters.

Whiskey Bent · Dec 26, 2016

Buy an all aluminum radiator with aluminum tanks. More $$ but they cool very well and wont leak.

jeremy in NE · Dec 26, 2016

I would fix the one you have or get an all aluminum one. I don't think the radiator will affect the collectibility of the car. It is already a collectible.

2x4 · Dec 26, 2016

That's what happened to my radiator but I'd had it 12 yrs.

sms · Dec 27, 2016

I had to replace the one in my 83 SS. A friend had a tire shop and was able to buy aftermarket radiators reasonably. I don't know what kind it was but as far as I know it is still going. I ran it for years before I sold the car a few years ago. I wouldn't worry too much about keeping it original as the value doesn't seem that high anyway.

Bob Bancroft · Dec 27, 2016

A friend with antique cars has replaced radiators with aluminum. But I was sure that I saw it was ALL aluminum, with welded tanks. The OEM radiator in my Navistar truck gave out, and it was plastic/aluminum crimped. I replaced it with copper. I agree with some of the others here that I don't like the crimping idea.

BarnyardEngineering · Dec 27, 2016

They never intended the cars from the 60's and back to be "collectible" either, but they are. You never know what's going to be collectible. All the restorable 60's cars are gone so car buffs are looking to 70's and 80's cars.

Sure they made lots of those 80's cars, but how many do you see still on the road? They suffer from poor materials, ROT, especially in rust belt states. Around here if you come across an 80's vehicle that doesn't crumble into a pile of fine red powder when you touch it, it's collectible.

Plus these are old enough now to qualify as "antique" vehicles meaning you can do whatever you want to them with regards to engines and transmissions and suspensions.

Not a tractor hauler but a question:

T.R.K.

Well-known Member

JD Seller

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Patsdeere

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Janicholson

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jimg.allentown

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Whiskey Bent

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jeremy in NE

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2x4

Well-known Member

sms

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Bob Bancroft

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BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

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