I would like to to a test to compare the cooling capacity of both types. Check a good copper against a new alloy job.
Just a simple test, fill both radiators with hot water and see which one cools quicker.
I know the answer but most people wont believe it till they see proof.

OK, so Copper gives less trouble, is easily fixed and actually exchanges heat beter. So why would anyone use an alloy one or am I missing something?

_________________

BLINGo....

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Ah! Of course, that is the important over-riding factor......save $100 or so on a cheap (crappy) BLING radiator that is a major component of the cooling system on your $4000 engine.......now it makes perfect sence.....

_________________

Ally haters!

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Somebody once said `copper is for keeps'- it wasn't in relation to radiators but IMO it could well be.
My EA Ford used to boil its ally radiator every time I pulled the boat up the hill from Brooklyn. Until I took the local rad shop's advice and did the same as all the taxi drivers had- fitted a 3 core copper one.
No more problems.
The stock ally one was 2 core, and was 50% blocked with alloy destructo.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

We're not racist, we hate all alloy radiators - equally.

_________________

I don't hate alloy.
The alloy gearbox is a very important part of the Minis cooling system.

Actually of late I'm begining to even dislike these....

_________________

Must be the oil leaking out the O-ring.

Hmm now im really confused. I thought alluminium dissipated heat better and therefore were better.

So what your saying is that alumium ones spread the heat better over the radiator fins BUT the old copper ones that dont spread the heat as well get rid of the heat from the fins better???

_________________

Nah

Both have a high rate of thermal conductivity.... just copper is better that ally <edit> in this application

ohhh....


Wow i must be in trouble with the coolant then. I just buy what ever is the cheapest at woolies or GoLO or K-mart wherever i am at the time and is premixed and about $10 (from memory I dont think it is even this much - its been a while since i bought it) for 4-5lt container.

_________________

Aluminum is used because it's cheap other alternatives are the
noble metals copper, silver and gold.

Copper dissipates heat nearly twice as well as aluminium when pure, but is awful when alloyed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_conductivity

Ally however is one third the weight and one quarter the price of copper....and that's the winner right there.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

You have to take into account the type of metal, the thickness of the metal, the number of cooling fins, the colour of the radiator, the capacity of the radiator, etc.
There is a lot of factors at work.

The only advantage I see in the alloy jobs is they are lighter to lift into place.