Have you fitted an aluminium radiator? Or is the original so v good?

[Sydr]

Given that our cars are extremely sensitive to cooling issues, I am intrigued that a search of this forum turned up very little by way of comment, especially negative comment, about the original plastic parts of our standard radiator. Am I to believe that most people stay with original radiators or is there a better alternative?

I found one or two comments about aluminium radiators but to my surprise even those who seem to be hard core off roaders seem to use the originals. Am I wrong?

And what of the heater matrix? I would've thought that these would come for more attention as they are so out of sight out of mind and have the potential to leave us so stranded.

[p38arover]

The original radiator is aluminium.

I've never heard of a heater core failing due to corrosion, just cracking of the plastic where the pipes are inserted.

The heater core is relatively large bore copper pipe with aluminium fins - see pic. Even if it did fail catastrophically, it would be simple to bypass it.

[PhilipA]

Those Fenix ones on Ebay look good and are very cheap, however I am waiting to see experience before I would buy.

I have an old RRC with a copper /brass rad and it has been terrific . The core was replaced 12 years ago with a Natrad core and I recently had it rodded and it is in excellent condition. The fins on the fan side are all smeared by the fan losing a blade and it was stroing enough that it did not leak.

Depending on the welding , the idea of a fully welded alloy rad as per Fenix is appealing, and there is no periodic table difference between the block and rad on my V8. But corrosion has never been a problem with mine.
For a D2 or 38A with the plastic tanks and orings, I think the full alloy seems a good cheap option to me, seeing the unpredictable nature of recoring one and the reports of self tappers piercing them. But to me depends on teh quality.
I recall Ron Moon had a AFAIR "Aussie Desert Cooler" alloy and the bottom mounts just disintegrated in Africa on his Patrol.
Regards Philip A

[p38arover]

For a D2 or 38A with the plastic tanks and orings, I think the full alloy seems a good cheap option to me, seeing the unpredictable nature of recoring one and the reports of self tappers piercing them.

I've not seen any reports of self-tappers piercing a P38A radiator.

What is an issue with the P38A radiator is the bleed nipple on the header tank. Many a ham-fisted owner has snapped them off.