I purchased a copper/brass 3-row radiator from Performance Radiators for my restore project. I have a '79 F150 regular cab 4x4 with a 400. It dropped into place and mounted nicely to the radiator core support. Only problem is, the outlet tube at the bottom doesn't curve upward slightly like the original. This is causing a problem because the lower radiator hose won't slide onto the outlet tube due to the close proximity of the truck's crossmember. I've taken some pics of both the new installed radiator and the old. I really like this radiator and it appears to be quality. Does anyone have some radiator expertise they could share with me? Is there a shorty hose that could slip onto the outlet tube and angle upward and then somehow couple to a radiator hose? Can the outlet tube be cut and welded by a radiator shop to angle upward, avoiding the crossmember? Looking for a solution to avoid returning the radiator because I'm not sure I'll find one anyway that is designed like the original.



New Radiator




Old radiator with outlet tube angled upward

 

Dang that's tight. Have you spoken with the folks at Performance Radiators?

 

A radiator shop can do that, but the seller should make it right. Call them and at least let them try.

 

I'm going to call them tomorrow...business hours weren't working in my favor yesterday when I discovered the problem. I'm not sure how that detail was missed when everything else about the radiator works perfectly. The new radiator would work perfectly in a 2 wheel version of my truck.

 

I am of the belief that a brand new part shouldn't have to be heavily modified just to make it work right. That is unless of course it is sold or you are buying it with the need or intent to do so already established prior to purchase.

I say send it back and get a champion radiator that will sit farther forward into the core support giving you some much needed room to work.

Like so:

 

That looks like it fits like a champion.

 

FWIW I ran a 3 core copper/brass replacement from AZ for a while. Fit fine but couldn't quite keep up on a hard pull. I replaced it with a 4 core Champion. It fit fine and handles the hard pulls much better.

I suggest return it for exchange for one with correct angle or better yet return it and get a Champion. Avoid the Micky Mouse on the hose.

 

I have a 4 core Champion too. Cant beat the price!

 

I tried aftermarket radiators and never found one that fit. My solution was to take the original radiator to a reliable radiator shop and have them recore it. That way it bolts back in without any hassle. I have done this three times over the last 40 years.

 

Never mind. I see that champion only makes the wider radiators for these trucks.

You should post the part number of that radiator here. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...endations.html

 

Champion 3 row radiator 70's Ford Pickups - CC433

I will poke around the link you provided first to see if its not there already.

 

I certainly can appreciate squeezing every last pennys worth of use out of anything but if repairing brittle old metal gets old... The proof it works is in the pic I posted.

 

I don't think it's a matter of saving money. Re-coring a radiator is usually expensive. Like fast hauler, I have also had some aftermarket radiators for various vehicles and equipment that don't fit well or begin to leak within a couple of years. Re-coring the original is a really good way of ensuring that you have a good radiator that fits well. A good radiator shop will examine the tanks and tell you if they are in suitable condition to be used for a re-core. I actually prefer to have radiators re-cored and I have never had a re-cored radiator fail. I have also never bought a Champion radiator so I can't comment on that one--yours does look good and your pictures show it well. If I was to buy another aftermarket radiator, I would likely buy a Champion.

 

A re-cored original radiator is superior in durability to any new aluminum one.

 

It's hard to tell from the pictures but it appears the new radiator has a possibly has a bigger bottom outlet, it will probably require a different hose with different bends and size?