So I'm owing to tackle the timing belt on my 92 SC400 in a couple of days. My rad is in okay shape but getting old and will likely need replacement in the next year. Looks original so it doesn't owe me anything.

Since I'll likely pull the rad for the timing belt, this would be a good time to change.

Not doing any power adders or any need for greater than stock cooling.

I'm looking for a good quality rad, not the cheapest, not the fanciest but the best value. I'll spend a little more for a good quality rad that will last over the absolute cheapest.

So where should I look?

thanks

 

Rock Auto has the same brands that Auto Zone, Orieilly, Advance, etc have and its much less expensive. I have bought a couple there for the SC's I have in addition to one for an RX and they have all done well.

 

I see RA has Denso, OSC, Spectra, and APD pro (in order of least to most expensive). Are they in order of quality also? Any suggestion on which to get/avoid?

 

I just did mine last month. I just want to Autozone and got the Spectra radiator its ok it fits good and I didn't have to mod anything.

 

Man I just picked a middle of the road one on there and saved 1/2 what Autozone wanted for the same thing. Quality is sufficient.

 

I ordered the APD from rockauto. I'll report when I receive/install. Cheaper than buying locally

 

I know Radiator shhops are hard to find anymore. But if yours is not crushed or rotted out, Have a shop quote a price. It's all copper.

 

It's not an original rad but it is brass tanks however there's 4-5 verticals cracks in the top tank that have been soldered. When I left Ontario 3 weeks ago it looked passable but now after crossing the continent it's looking weepy in a few spots is it's time to replace.

there's a few things I'll take a chance on but a rad blowout in the middle of nowhere doesn't sound like fun.

If I was at home with my shop I'd go nuts and pull the nose off, do the headlights. Replace the rad and totally refurb the ac along with my planned timing belt job. As it is I'll be doing the timing at a friends place and don't want to overstay my visit so it's new rad and timing belt.

 

The replaced rad may have indeed been original. The Rock Auto version I got is aluminum with plastic tanks. There were 4 versions available with about a $40 span from cheapest to most expensive. I went with expensive. Rad went in without issue.