Thread: Best buy on a Deuce radiator

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Can someone suggest a good, quality radiator for the money to fit a Deuce stock shell? I'm not sure if it will have A/C yet. Cost is important.

Walker radiator?


32 Ford starts on this page, scroll down a few.....


Walker Radiator Works, Memphis, TN

Call the guys at PRC Radiator, but decide whether you're going with AC or not before you buy. They will package a radiator & condenser that fit the shell like a glove, and you won't pay for all the advertising some of the other "names" buy. Ford Street Rod Aluminum Radiators, Mopar Muscle Car, Cooling, SPAL Fans

As aluminum radiators go PRC has earned high praise, and in copper/brass Walker is the standard, and here in the west US Radiator comes close. Cost is probably always important for most of us (Roger is an exception, he walks down dark alleys with hundred dollar bills hanging out his pockets) but good radiators that won't give you continuing grief over the miles of driving you might do are worth something too.

This comment may be regional, so take it as such. It's getting harder and harder to find anyone that will repair any radiator (I have to go 22 miles to find a knowledgeable guy willing to do anything more than a swap out). It's double tough for aluminum, and then expand that imagination to being on the road in the middle of a town/county/state that you're not real familiar with. The advantage with the aluminum is almost any competent TIG welder "can" fix it, just whether they're willing to jump through the hoops is the question. Copper/brass might have higher odds of success.

That all being said, if you go for the Walker the most economical without doing hours of digging is through Speedway. They discount some on a normal case, and if you've got some time flexibility, when they run one of their $6.99 shipping promos you will save a bunch there. You could also look for someone who's cleaning out an extra they didn't use and get the private party "discount" but be aware that shipping can really hit there. I recently shipped a Walker in it's original packing (meaning big box with molded foam) to Texas and cheapest way (not counting Greyhound which, to me has an inconvenience cost) was $65. Dealers usually have shipper incented discounts that private party, infrequent shippers, don't enjoy.

Contact Charlie @ Superior Radiator in Mt Clemens Michigan.
Been using his alum rads for years (bought over 25 of them).
Cant beat the price or the quality.

Thanks for the help. This will get me started.

I went through 2 PRC's. They both leaked where the core flange was attached to the core. They lasted less than a couple of thousand miles. I replaced them with a Walker. It has 16,000 miles on it and it's still going. I drive my 32 like a regular car with the exception of no dirt roads. I beam with cross spring on the front and leafs on the rear. It also has a full hood.

That surprises me about the failures. Did you have the radiator mounted using springs to allow frame flex to not twist the radiator? I'd also be surprised if PRC didn't stand behind them. I've enjoyed excellent service from their tech guys.

I was looking through Speedway's new "Street" catalog this evening, and in the Deuce section they had a wide range of radiators, including their house brand for $399. Might be worth a look and a call if money's tight.

Have replaced PRC, Griffin rads in the past because of poor quality with Superiors.
Never a problem with Charlies Rads.
Speedways are the same 1's ya see on EGay for 199 or less
Ya can't beat a Walker if ya wanna dig deep..

I looked at PRC rads at Goodguys Fort Worth; $465 rad only. I have owned Walker and they are nice. I have a "US Radiator" copper rad in my 59 Chevy truck and it is also a quality rad; maybe as good as Walker. It is really nice! I just can't spend that kind of money with this build. I'm trying to help daughter and son in law with a running roller chassis and let them buy the highboy body when they can afford later. The Ebay rad prices make it tempting to buy there, but I don't want to get burned either. I don't know how they can build and ship for that kind of money. This forum has been a wealth of knowledge for me and has kept me out of trouble several times in the past. Thanks for the posts and please reply if you can think of anything that might help me on a rad buy. We have time to shop around. I am near DA34GUY and hope to find time to look him up before calling Superior. Thanks again.

I went with USRadiator, no complaints and I'd do it again! fwiw.. LOL..

I have had an AFCO radiator in my car for over ten years with no problems. No a pretty as a PRC, but it has done the job.

The first PRC had thick rubber spacers and bolts not snugged. The first was warrantied. The second had the springs and wasn't warrantied. I don't want to knock the quality of the PRC as much as to say that I don't think the alum radiators are strong enough for some applications. I paid around $400 for mine and basically threw it in the trash. The Walker was about $800 back then but had I known the future, I would have bought a brass radiator to begin with. I've had US radiators in other projects and was very happy. I just bought a universal Griffith for a truck project I'm working on but it won't have any stress in mounting on it. Time will tell if I made a good decision on that.

I have a chance to buy an unused Be Cool Indy Speedster radiator - How are/were these quality wise?

Be Cool makes and moves a lot of product.. I've used a couple of their fans and had success with them.. I never tried one of their radiators..