Ok_ I want to replace my current "plastic" radiator with a 3 row all metal one. hard to find-a new one, preferably not made in china-thailand-etc-, but rebuilt OR a very good used one would do. Any source advice? Also-my a/c compressor is on its way out. I will buy NEW-but i need suggestions. I was advised to get new r12 one, THEN convert to r134a- when its installed and also to get a new drier , which i will do, and HP hose. Any suggestions or advice? Oh I also am looking for a good, reasonably priced mechanic in the SF east bay area.I had one and he moved to Burbank/LA!! BTW-here's one opinion-I HAD been dealing with Allied Radiators on Gilman in Berkeley for a long time. Seems it was taken over a few years ago, and I didnt know and was basically ripped off by the new owner. Example-he even told me my brake pads were worn out, but I do those myself. later when i got home i looked at them-Hah! a little over 50% wear. No way! I wont go back to them. Too bad. He also lied about Dons tire service down the street would charge me $120 for an alignment-another HAH! Don charges $80. When i talked to Don about that when i went there about a week later about tires, he was not too surprised and mentioned he would not be taking any more referals from them (Allied) as he had heard from others the same basic thing. . too bad- they had a good reputation. Dons is still VERY reputable, in my opinion.

Good luck finding a new 3-row metal rad these days. Nissens was a supplier for many years but no longer makes that model.

On the bright side, the OEM rad works quite well. Aluminum transfers heat better than copper and brass, and the plastic tanks save a lot of weight. I had my doubts about going with the OEM style when I had to replace my rad 5+ years ago, especially since I had moved to the desert. Along with the rad I replaced all the hoses in the system (including those PITA ones at the back of the engine) and the thermostat; the water pump was about a year old at that point so I didn't re-do that. I have zero cooling problems, no matter if I'm driving up to 9000 feet in the summer with AC on or stuck in traffic in 115F heat. The only thing you "lose" with a plastic rad is ease of repair. The stock cooling system is well designed, and more than adequate for desert use. FWIW, I got my Nissens OEM-style rad from fcpgroton.

For the AC, as long as you're investing in a new compressor you might also consider going the full route and getting the improved evaporator that was new in '91, and the pusher fan that mounts in front of the radiator. The pusher fan really makes a difference. With a compressor, new evaporator and the conversion kit, you'll probably spend over $500, and more if you get the pusher fan. I also highly recommend a variable orifice tube rather then the fixed variety.

Unless you live in the desert where the relative humidity is often below 10%, any time you open up your AC system to the atmosphere you should plan on replacing the drier. Fortunately, a new drier is included in the R134 conversion kit.

When you replace AC components, look carefully at the old orifice tube. If it's loaded up with black gunk (from a failing compressor), you really should thoroughly flush the other system components, in particular the evaporator and condensor. No sense having old crud in the system just waiting to contaminate the new parts.

I did the R134 conversion a year ago and it works well. The compressor discharge pipe cracked this spring and had to be replaced, but I was happy to be putting in 2+ pounds of R134a at $7 a pound instead of R12 at $80 a poind!

--
In God We Trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them.

What he said.
I also went with a "smart" VOV, which I like.
http://www.aircondition.com/vov/

Me too on the plastic / aluminum radiators.
Dan