Which Radiator is the best Aluminum or brass-copper?

78elk

Dragway Regular
Mar 6, 2014
1,294
81
48
Mountain Home Id
I have 2 radiators a 2 row aluminum and a 3row brass-copper. They are identical in size height, length and width. Which one is the best one for cooling a 350 cu in engine?
 

melloelky

Top Fueler
Jul 1, 2009
3,654
31
48
mass
if the tube size of both radiators are the same size,the one with more rows will be able to cycle more coolant though it-cooling more.
 

melloelky

Top Fueler
Jul 1, 2009
3,654
31
48
mass
some will argue over which material is better but if they're both in good shape and the same size I'd use the three row.
 

Killerdave8813

Dragway Regular
Jan 16, 2008
904
2
18
Cincinnati,Ohio
They say Aluminum dissipates heat so well that a two core Aluminum will out cool a three row Brass/Copper radiator any day of the week and they are also lighter as well, that being said though I have a three core Brass/Copper in my 81 with the 350 and a two core Copper/Brass in my 78 with a 267 and have never had cooling issues out of either, KillerDave
 

78elk

Dragway Regular
Thread starter
Mar 6, 2014
1,294
81
48
Mountain Home Id
Thanks for the information. I currently have the 2 row aluminum in it. It doesn't boil over, just the gauge reads a little pass the 220 , like on the zero. I think I will have to test the gauge and see how accurate it is.
 

Killerdave8813

Dragway Regular
Jan 16, 2008
904
2
18
Cincinnati,Ohio
Yes check your gauge but 220 degrees isn't really that hot, I believe Nascar race engines run about 240 degrees, less drag on the engine when the oil is hot, I run 195 degree thermostats in both mine and they generally run 200 to 205 degrees which is actually a good operating temp for a small block Chevy, old school thought was 160 degrees was where it was at but that isn't hot enough to keep your engine oil healthy and keep the moisture boiled out of it, or so I was told, hotter oil = cleaner engine, on the inside anyway, at any rate I've not had a problem running sbc's @ 205 degrees, KillerDave
 

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