I am recently in the market for a radiator upgrade. I recently purchased a two-core replacement from Advance Auto that I discovered does not cool that good in stop and go traffic. I decided to do a search on Stangnet and found that many guys have had great luck with the radiator at Autozone that is a three core for $160.00. I also found that this is the same radiator that advance sells made by Go Dan Transpro) PN 433138. Ironically I found an article from Fordmuscle that tested this same radiator and found it to be much better than stock.
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2001/10/radiator/
I then called Advance and got them to return my two core for the three core and I would pay the difference. Yesterday, I went to get my new three-core radiator and I opened the box and it was not a three core. The dimensions on the Advance Auto parts computer showed a three core and listed it at 2" wide. This one was only 1 1/4 wide and was definitely a two core. But the part number matched the three core 433138. The counter guy called Go Dan and asked why the radiator was not a three core as listed. Go Dan explained that they no longer make a three core and that is a heavy-duty radiator because they added more cooling fins per inch. I was astounded. The stock replacement radiator and the new radiator were identical except for a few extra fins. And they are still advertising them as three row. So the nice guy at Advance gave me my money back and I am now in the process of deciding what radiator I will buy.
I have realized that many companies are sacrificing quality to save money in today’s tough economy. I think this type of cost saves will hurt Go Dan in the long run. I wonder what all these guys on this site that have bought the true three core radiators will do when they eventually rot out and they go to Autozone for a replacement under warranty? They will go to Autozone for a replacement and they will get a two-core replacement for their three core. This is not right.
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2001/10/radiator/
I then called Advance and got them to return my two core for the three core and I would pay the difference. Yesterday, I went to get my new three-core radiator and I opened the box and it was not a three core. The dimensions on the Advance Auto parts computer showed a three core and listed it at 2" wide. This one was only 1 1/4 wide and was definitely a two core. But the part number matched the three core 433138. The counter guy called Go Dan and asked why the radiator was not a three core as listed. Go Dan explained that they no longer make a three core and that is a heavy-duty radiator because they added more cooling fins per inch. I was astounded. The stock replacement radiator and the new radiator were identical except for a few extra fins. And they are still advertising them as three row. So the nice guy at Advance gave me my money back and I am now in the process of deciding what radiator I will buy.
I have realized that many companies are sacrificing quality to save money in today’s tough economy. I think this type of cost saves will hurt Go Dan in the long run. I wonder what all these guys on this site that have bought the true three core radiators will do when they eventually rot out and they go to Autozone for a replacement under warranty? They will go to Autozone for a replacement and they will get a two-core replacement for their three core. This is not right.