The radiator on my 78 F250 7.5L has seen better days. A buddy gashed it and now it's time for a new one. The parts store tells me that there are two options for this vehicle, the 3 Row or 4 Row. How do I know if I have a 3 Row or 4 Row radiator now? What are these rows? Will either work? Or will the spacing be different?

Thanks.

 

How hard are you using the truck? If you are doing lots of pulling which requires more work from your engine, then a 4 row is recommended. If you are driving it pretty much as you would a car than a 3 row will work just fine.

The difference between 3 vs 4 is that the 3 row has 3 horizontal tubes or cells at the same height connecting the ends. These rows are then stacked one on top another to give the rad it's height. A 4 row will have 4 tubes at each level with the intent that more surface area is available for cooling.

A two row rad is very narrow, while the 3 and 4 row is noticably thicker. You might be able to remove the cap and simply look inside the radiator. You will be looking for the tube openings. You will see either 3 or 4 tubes in a row stacked on each other.

Like this -

3-row

123
123
123


4-row

1234
1234
1234

etc.

 

We'll be in some extreme heat, with some possibly heavy things on this truck. It won't be traveling fast, just idling around, which is perhaps the worst conditions. I'll opt for the 4 row. Thanks for your help.

-Dan

 

Make sure you have a fan shroud and clutch fan in good condition if you have a clutch fan. A recore or complete new radiator? Make sure it has a radiator cooler if your running a auto trans. I have a 5 row stagger tube, better to have extra cooling than not enough.
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