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Liland Global Aluminum Radiator 1517AA

14K views 31 replies 12 participants last post by  96 Black 
#1 ·
Plastic tank on my OEM '96 SS radiator started to weep, so I looked for a replacement. Had mixed results with aftermarket plastic radiators and a new AC Delco was many hundreds of dollars, so I decided to try this Liland Aluminum Radiator, part number 1517AA. Price at carparts.com was $189 and I found a coupon on retailmenot.com which brought the total to $182 shipped to my door. It is boxed in stapled tri-wall cardboard with cardboard also covering the fins and bubblewrap. The corners are foamed in place. The photos show the differences between the OEM and Liland radiators. I've owned the car since new, so I know it is the OEM radiator. Weight: Liland = 9.6#, OEM =12.2# (still had some residual fluid in it I'm sure). Fin thickness: Liland = 1 1/16", OEM = 15/16". Total width: Liland=35 3/8", OEM = 35 9/16". Right side tank: Liland = 2 1/2"W x 2 1/4"D, OEM = 2 3/8"W x 2 1/8"D. Left side tank: Liland = 2 1/2"W x 2 3/16"D. You can see the difference in the height, but I lost my record of it. You will also notice that it comes with the '94 nipple on it and a brass petcock. The parts bag has 4 radiator fan screw clips and 4 cooler line adapters. 2 of them you will not use. Liland has a facebook page and I sent a messenger for some info. The radiator is tested underwater 3 times for manufacturer's defects at 20 PSI. All of the cooler lines, radiator hoses, and radiator fans fit fine. The radiator fit fine with one exception: the nipple hit the top plastic cover which I trimmed to clear. I used a 10 mm (3/8") silicone cap from Amazon to cap the nipple. The rubber caps from the auto parts store will leave you stranded. The car has a couple hundred miles on it since the install and so far everything is great, no runs, no drips, no errors.
 

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#2 ·
Awesome news!

I should have researched a little more when I did my radiator R&R, I sure would like an all aluminum unit.

Thanks for reporting the information, it's something we needed.
 
#3 ·
Yes, it is nice to see another reasonable priced option than Silla which I'm not sure are available anymore.
 
#4 ·
I read about Silla on here but couldn't find any source for them now. Another aluminum radiator I found was Cold Case, which is about $325. I will add that I ran into a problem during the installation, my cooler fittings we're too large for the adapters. I contacted Liland via Messenger and had an answer within 15 minutes. It turns out that I didn't need the adapters on that side, the fittings screwed right into the radiator. Their quick reply saved me from wasting time.
 
#5 ·
… You will also notice that it comes with the '94 nipple on it and a brass petcock.
The ['94] radiator fit fine, with one exception: the ['94] nipple hit the top plastic cover, which I trimmed to clear.
94 Radiator, cool!
If you use the 94 nipple to bleed the air out of the radiator, you won't get any coolant on the Opti-.
 
#7 ·
Hi, if anyone has pics I'd like to see the fans mounted on the RAD.
When my OEM one rotted out I had to find a replacement that came with the bracket that goes on the top of the RAD so the fans can bolt-in. Without that you would need to reuse that part from old RAD onto the new one.

thanks.
-ALF out...
 
#8 ·
I bought a KKS radiator that was supposed to fit my OCC. It is more like an LT1 radiator. I can make it work in my OCC. It is a "3" core, and slightly thicker than the mounts for an OEM radiator. I can cut the isolators to make it fit, and I am using the fans from a 93 FW with a temp switch. The radiator appears to be well made, and sturdy. They are for sale on ebay at about $199-209. The one I bought had a "make an offer", and I got it for $185 shipped. The pictures were taken with it still sealed in the plastic bag. The box it arrived in was a bit ragged, and open, but the radiator was not damaged. I have not installed it yet. It came with 2 fittings, but I do not think I will need them for the OCC. You might need them for an LT1 car. It has a fitting for the level sensor, but it is a little low. It does have the trans cooler, but not an oil cooler.

You should be able to modify the LT1 OEM fan mounts to attach to the top and bottom, but it does not have the tabs for the speed nuts on the tanks. Aftermarket fans of comparable flow should be easy to attach to the core, and a piece of sheet aluminum is easy to turn into a shroud if you desire to go in that direction. 15 inch fans can be used (core is advertised as 30.5 inches wide by 17 inches tall by 2.25 inches thick), but 14 inch would be easier. I managed to wedge 16 inch fans in my 454 install with a shroud extending past the ends of the core.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KKS-POLISH...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
 

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#9 ·
This is the fans installed. You will note that they are angled out from the radiator on the outboard sides. My original cap was cracked so I got one off a Caprice in the junkyard. It's not a 96 (no Dexcool decal) but it fits fine. It has the same bolt holes for the fan brackets as the OEM radiator. There are some differences in how the top cap fits, but the radiator is in securely.
 

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#10 · (Edited)
The radiator I purchased is thicker than the stock one, and I can make that work. There is another issue that is a little trickier. The threaded holes for the trans cooler lines are not the correct thread for a 91-93 car. The OEM line nuts are metric, and the ones in the radiator are supposed to be 1/2 20. An adapter is probably available, but I suspect they are hard to find. I am either going to make new line ends and use rubber hose to join the ends, or install a stand alone radiator for the trans. I have a few small trans radiators from an assortment of cars. I am inclined to install a stand alone trans cooler.

I have since found that the trans cooler line fittings are the correct thread for the 91-93 lines. They are extremely tight when threading the nuts into them. The thread is 1/2 20.
 
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#11 ·
I just ordered a Liland from Rockauto last week- only $140 bucks.
I'm going to install it on the ImpalaMASTER for Nationals next summer.
The current rad works but its from a '93 so not sure how old it is and I'm
expecting it to start leaking soon LOL.

Nab
 
#12 ·
for those who've got theirs, did yours come with bolts? I got mine from RockAuto, only came with 3 speed clips
 
#15 ·
I picked up speed nuts from Autozone (M6 & M8) to use, as for the top & bottom brackets I just wire brushed them and painted them, looks good as new
 
#17 ·
the top bracket slid into place for me, the bottom one I did bend the radiator channel (if that is what it is called) outward a smidge to get it to fit, I'll see if I can snap a few pics later and post
 
#18 ·
It must be something wrong with their QC because the aluminum radiator is smaller than the plastic one. I can't get the top or bottom to fit, I left my Dremel at my dads so I guess I'll go buy some tin snips.
 
#19 ·
I am not sure about the fitiment of the brackets by your description. Could you post a picture? There may be a fix for it without resorting to tin snips.
 
#20 ·
here is the pic of the bottom bracket, take note of both sides how I bent it slightly to fit. This was actually the bracket I just bought from you Fred couple weeks ago
 

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#21 ·
I see you flared the aluminum. That is acceptable.
 
#22 ·
Just got my Liland on order from Rock Auto and with the discount code, it was $175 to my door.

On the Fitting for the hose that I don't need, I will most likely use something like this.....



....which they also make these fittings in Stainless which may look better than a rubber cap. I may even have someone tig it closed but think the compression Fitting with end cap will be the easiest route and look pretty good. I thought about an AN fitting with Plug but would need to flare it and it's a little more money.
 
#23 ·
Just got my Liland on order from Rock Auto and with the discount code, it was $175 to my door.

On the Fitting for the hose that I don't need, I will most likely use something like this.....

TRADING DEPOT: Compression Fitting Stop End Cap 15mm Part no: CFI323/15
That's pretty interesting I've never seen something like that which is perfect for that fitting.

I know there's nothing special about it all, but take a few overall pix after the install is complete.
 
#25 ·
Hey, anyone have any pics of how they capped the extra coolant connection?
 
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#26 ·
Simply T a hose into the hose that runs to the coolant tank.
Air can escape the radiator better and will cool better as well.

Nab
 
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#28 ·
I'm going to pick up a silicone cap and go that route, BUT the "T" fitting does pose an interesting possibility...great suggestions, both of them
 
#32 · (Edited)
With just 80,XXX the Cady is starting the weep at a cooler fitting, so all psyched to install this shiny beaut. RA is 'Not In Stock'. The OP's source appears cheapest now $199 total, and CARID is at $207 and $0 shipping. So, the word apparently is out and prices creeping up in just the past 10 months since Nab struck a coup.


EDIT: Well the radiator apparently didn't like me talking about its "little weep", so it blew altogether today:








That's actually the good news, since I head out on an out-of-state roadtrip Sunday am. The bad news is there's no recognized brand aftermarket radiators in this whole town, and I ended up paying Summit a higher-than-market price to start with for a Spectra just so I could add 'Next Day Air' on top of that to get it here in time. All that puts it right at the price of the Liland. :: grrrrr:: Ordered at 6pm from Texas and just checked the delivery in 3 hours = not too shabby.



There's actually more good news with this problem in the harness, which could have also put a monkeywrench (literally) in the trip. If it totally broke connection that could be the reason for the quick failure. I'll be searching for the right weatherpak but in the mean time just clean and tighten the connections up as much as possible:



 
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