Question about radiator core differences for a 1990 Q

[mattd1979]

I was wondering if someone here that has an original 1990 Q radiator could tell me if it has a 1 or 2 row core? I need to replace mine. It is a replacement that I pulled from another Q that we had for parts about 5 years ago and it's a copper and brass radiator with a 2 row core. I know it's not original because my original radiator was aluminum with plastic tanks but I don't remember if it was single or dual core.

Thanks,
Matt

[mattd1979]

I'm going to be getting some money in a few days and want to get it replaced. I could take the one I have to a radiator shop to have it repaired but after reading about all of the negative affects of dissimilar metals, I started looking for an aluminum radiator. I looked down inside the opening and noticed a gray residue coating that I could wipe off. I guess this must be the solder that is disintegrating which most likely is the cause of the leaks. I'm freelancing right now and so I can't afford to spend top dollar for a replacement. As long as the radiator lasts a year or more, I am fine. Just want to make sure that I don't want end up putting a radiator in the car that is less efficient than the one that is in there now and start having issues with it running hot.

[goody90q45]

Matt- I looked at the radiator I took out of my 90Q (still haven't tossed it), Calsonic made in Japan, and it appears to be single core although I'm not sure what a dual core would look like. It has the main inlets top and bottom that the large hoses connect to and only 2 of the smaller (3/8"?) brass outlets. As I recall the replacement radiator from radiators.com had 4 of the brass fittings and I ended up making a loop out of the extra pair. I had no overheating problems with the replacement radiator and drove it through a Sacramento summer. It was just a little over $100 delivered. I can take a picture if my description has thoroughly confused you.

[mattd1979]

If you look through the fins of the radiator you will see what appear to be tubes running horizontally. A single core radiator will only have on tube per row. A dual core will have two tubes per row running horizontally. I'm posting a link to a radiator site that has a couple of pics to help describe what I'm talking about.

Matt

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/217

[goody90q45]

It's a single core. About 1" wide.

[mattd1979]

Do you know what brand radiator it is that you bought from radiators.com?

[mattd1979]

Just bumping to the top of the list. Let me know if you can find the part number and make of the radiator. Since you are around temps that are hotter and drier than my area and not having any over heating, I want to make sure to get the same type. Did you use a consult program to measure the temps? I ask because the gauge stops climbing once it reaches the halfway point and doesn't begin to climb again until it starts to go over 200 degrees.

Thanks
Matt

[goody90q45]

Receipts went with the car when I sold it and don't recall the make or whether it was one or two core. I did check the temp at least a couple of times using my consult program and it never approached 200 degrees. I tried to buy the radiator with metal tanks but all that was available through radiators.com was the one type with plastic tanks. It worked fine.

[mattd1979]

Just wanted to post an update. I ended up ordering a CSF brand radiator from the radiatorbarn.com and had a friend of mine give me a ride over the next day and picked it up from their warehouse. I bought the aluminum model. The only problem I had was with the electric fan thermo switch. The switch has a shoulder just after the threads that the replacement radiator didn't allow for. So I ended up getting two oil drain plug washers with the inner rubber molded to them and stacked them on the end to provide a nice seal. So far no leaks after 3 days of driving.

Matt