Subaru: Brass versus Plastic/Aluminum radiator?

I managed to puncture the OEM aluminum radiator on my 94 Legacy while replacing
the crank oil seal (don't ask, I feel stupid enough already). All local
radiator specialists only have brass replacements. I've read on a number of
occassions that you should not mix brass radiators with aluminum engines as the
electrolysis this causes results in potentially severe pitting in the aluminum
& plating of the brass, which can clog the radiator & is well nigh impossible
to remove. Also, aluminum radiators are stronger & disipate heat better.

Anyone have any comments on their experience with replacement brass
radiators????

Chris

CRGILL wrote:
 

Yes...

Copper/brass (many are brass end caps on copper cores) is better IMO.
Why? Aluminum/plastic radiators are a concession to cost and perhaps
weight (in the never ending quest to meet fuel economy standards, mfrs
have cut weight in a lot of unlikely places.) At the user end, they seem
to develop leaks, most of 'em unfixable, more than copper/brass units.
While it's true alumimun MAY transfer heat better than brass, it's not
likely enough to do a lot in real life. While the aluminum may be
dissipating heat faster thru the core, the plastic end caps are not! So
it seems a balancing act to me.

Corrosion? Haven't seen it as a problem IF you keep your coolant changed
on schedule (annual or bi-annual) and mix it using distilled water. The
electrolysis thing sounds like someone slept thru half their high school
chemistry class--someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my
understanding that since the brass radiator is isolated from the
aluminum engine components by the rubber hoses, any electrolytic action
is minimal if not non-existent (again for real life situations, not lab
experiments.) Don't change your coolant frequently, you've got a problem
with aluminum regardless of the type of radiator.

Even if I'm wrong in all the above, I've used brass radiators with all
or partial aluminum engines for years with no problem. Check with
www.radiator.com for prices and availability before buying from a local
shop--it might be worth a call. I got a two row unit from them for less
than my local guys wanted for a single row!

Best of luck,

Rick