Aluminum "standard size" or brass 3-core?

Aluminum. End of story.

MaxTheHooker said:

Aluminum. End of story.

Click to expand...

That's not exactly true.

Recently there has been a huge insurgence of aluminum radiators. While aluminum certainly has its place, there really is no advantage in street applications. While copper is approximately three times the density of aluminum, what is critical for optimal radiator operation is thermal conductivity. Copper/Brass fin's conductivity is 70% higher than for aluminum fin. Net-Net Copper/Brass fins will "reject heat" better than aluminum fins.

Radiator tube strength is equally, if not more, important in a street application. Brass, of course, is considerably stronger than aluminum. This overall strength allows for thinner walled tubes which more than compensate for the difference in conductivity.

Taking advantage of these characteristics – superior thermal conductivity, strength and corrosion resistance – manufacturers can use thinner material throughout and thereby design a copper/brass radiator having a lower total weight than one made from aluminum, but with the same or better heat rejection capacity.

i run a single core aluminum with plastic tanks, cools the 351 just fine.. i also have a clutch fan with new parts so that helps. When the coupe goes together it'll have an electric fan hooked up with 2 switches, hi and lo speed.. lo will be on all the time after warm up

Chris, be careful with the crimped tanks.

Mustang78, be cognizant of your fan speed positions. You do not want high and low engaged at the same time (your post read as if this could be so).

Cool post by #455. Copper brass gets my vote when I can find it anymore also. Just know that realistically speaking, either should reject enough heat.