Any reviews on Spectra all aluminum radiators?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by dlstruck, Dec 31, 2016.

  1. dlstruck

    dlstruck Medium Load Member

    481
    390
    Sep 8, 2016
    0
    The radiator on my Columbia started to leak a little and I'm looking for a good replacement. I came across these all aluminum radiators and they seem better than the original plastic ones. Plus $700 shipped is a lot better than the $1100 the dealer wants.

    Are cores the same as rows? I keep seeing stuff on here about 3 and 4 core radiators and this one doesn't mention the number of cores but says 2 rows. Is that the same thing? If so, is 2 bad? I don't have any overheating issues currently.

    This is the one I"m looking at:
    http://ecat.spectrapremium.com/prod/2001-1715
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. ClineER

    ClineER Light Load Member

    229
    139
    Apr 27, 2016
    N.E. Oklahoma
    0
    I havent dealt witg those for freightliners but I have for internationals petes. Yes cores and rows tend to refer to same thing. The radiators tended to be lighter and not cool as well. There were less tubes in the core. Only guys running higher hp noticed a small increase in temps. Otherwise they seemed like good radiators and didnt have complaints otherwise.
     
  4. dlstruck

    dlstruck Medium Load Member

    481
    390
    Sep 8, 2016
    0
    Thanks for the info. I just run a 500 hp Detroit and don't have overheating issues but it does warm up fairly quick climbing mountains in the summertime so I had install a manual fan switch. Sounds like this will cool even less than stock so I'll pass on them.

    Any recommendations on good aftermarket radiators? I'm willing to spend the $1100, just don't want to spend it on a stock plastic tank radiator.
     
  5. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

    28,845
    154,237
    Jul 7, 2015
    Canuckistan
    0
    I've never put or ran one in a truck but I did put a Spectra radiator in a pickup of mine. Wasn't impressed. It was replaced 3 times in 6 months before they finally sent me one that didn't leak when temperatures got below freezing. I don't know if I ended up getting a few #### ones in a row but the last one went a year with no problems. Sold the truck and haven't seen it since so I have no idea if its still good or not.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.